Two years since studying together at the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) as trainees, Royal Australian Navy officer Sub-Lieutenant Patrick Cabot and Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) officers Lieutenant Steven Ali, Lieutenant Lawrence David, Lieutenant Jeremeel Gabby and 2nd Lieutenant Trevor Tanabi, in Port Moresby for Papua New Guinea’s 50th year anniversary of independence.
The four PNGDF officers attended ADFA and the Royal Military College as part of an ongoing program where members of the international military attend training alongside junior Australian Defence Force officers.
SBLT Cabot and LT Ali met as members of the same division and as neighbours in the accommodation at the Academy. They studied together, trained together and played touch football together in the ‘ADFA Taipans Touch Football Club’ - where SBLT Cabot met first LT David, LT Gabby and 2LT Trevor.
The group remained close friends during their studies and stayed in touch as the PNGDF members transferred to the Royal Military College at Duntroon to further their military education.
In September this year, SBLT Cabot, now an Assistant Weapons Electrical Engineering Officer deployed in HMAS Choules, was part of the ADF support for Papua New Guinea’s 50th year of independence celebrations. His four PNGDF counterparts had the opportunity to join SBLT Cabot for a tour of Choules and catch up ahead of LT Ali’s ceremonial role in the Presentation of Colours event at Murray Barracks.
The ADF was invited to support Papua New Guinea’s 50th Anniversary of Independence celebrations, under Operation WANTAIM. Choules was alongside in Port Moresby for multiple weeks operating to accommodate visiting partner nations and the embarked ADF contingent.
Quotes attributable to Lieutenant Steven Ali
“It was great getting to see Patrick again and to receive a tour of his ship, it feels like yesterday that we were in Canberra, and now he is helping us with our Independence Day celebrations.
“We’ve all come so far, I can’t wait to see what comes next.”
Quotes attributable to Sub-Lieutenant Patrick Cabot
“It was a bit surreal getting to see them again after all this time, and all we’ve accomplished since we were at ADFA,” SBLT Cabot said.
“I’m so grateful to get to see them in person again - and with such a significant milestone to celebrate.”
Ends.
(L-R) Lieutenant Trevor Tanabi, Lieutenant Steven Ali, Sub-Lieutenant Patrick Cabot, Lieutenant Lawrence David, Lieutenant Jeremeel Gabby stand on the flight deck of HMAS Choules in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.
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