By ORCHY REX
Chief of Defence Force Rear Admiral Philip Polewara has expressed appreciation to the PNG Defence Force’s international partners, provincial governments, and citizens for their unwavering support during the recent 50th Independence Anniversary celebrations.
Reflecting on the success of the celebrations, Rear Admiral Polewara said the PNGDF’s involvement in the Golden Jubilee was a proud showcase of unity, discipline, and national pride.
“As the dust settles from our arenas and we return to business as usual, I reflect on the participation of the PNGDF in the country’s Golden Jubilee Celebration. We have done well as a Defence Force to support the events of the 50th Independence Anniversary and celebrate our institution and country,” he said.
The PNGDF’s participation began months earlier with Exercise Antap Long Ol, which concluded with Military Week from 1 – 6 September. The celebrations were highlighted by the presentation of new King’s and Regimental Colors to the First Battalion, Royal Pacific Islands Regiment, by His Royal Highness Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh, on 15 September.
The Defence Force also played key roles during the national events, including providing guards of honor to visiting Heads of State, participating in ceremonial drills, and assisting police with security operations.
Rear Admiral Polewara commended PNG’s defence partners for their contributions to the celebrations.
“Our performance in the events would not have been captivating, grandiose, and an outright success without the support and help we have received for the cause,” he said.
“I would like to thank the Australian Defence Force, the New Zealand Defence Force, the Japanese Self Defence Force, and the armed forces of the United Kingdom, the United States, and France,” he added.
He also recognized the presence and participation of Pacific allies, describing their involvement as adding a “particular Pacific flavor” to the celebrations.
“We were joined by our Wan Solwara; the Vanuatu Mobile Force, the Republic of Fiji Military Force, and the Royal Tongan Armed Force,” the commander said.
During the celebrations, PNG also hosted high-ranking military leaders from across the Pacific and beyond, including Fiji’s Chief of Defence Major General Ro Jone Logavatu Kalouniwai, Australia’s Chief of Defence Admiral David Johnstone, US Indo-Pacific Commander Admiral Samuel Paparo, Japan’s Chief of General Staff General Hiroaki Uchikura, and several others.
“I thank them for their thoughtfulness and their long-standing partnership, and that of their men and women, with the Papua New Guinea Defence Force,” CDF Polewara said.
The CDF also took the opportunity to thank the people and provincial governments who supported the celebrations and the Exercise Antap Long Ol.
“I thank our people who turned out in numbers to support the PNGDF and take part in the celebrations,” he said. “I thank our communities in Port Moresby for peacefully attending the events during the PNGDF Week, and our people in East Sepik, Madang, Morobe, Gulf, Central, and NCD for their support and generosity towards our soldiers as they undertook the Exercise Antap Long Ol, walking from Wewak to Port Moresby.”
He made a special mention of a group of youths from East Sepik who joined the soldiers along the trek, commending their “initiative and participation.” “I commend you all for your patriotism and the love you have shown for our country,” Rear Admiral Polewara concluded. “It is our country, and we must carry the same spirit to love and protect it. It is where we are born and where we will die.”