By VENESSA GISAO, UPNG Journalism Student
THE Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC) has marked a significant milestone in strengthening policing operations across Papua New Guinea with a groundbreaking ceremony for its first dedicated police airwing hangar at Jacksons International Airport in Port Moresby.
The new facility will accommodate three helicopters, including the Bell 412 tactical police helicopters and the Bell 407, known as the “Eye in the Sky.” Maintenance support for the project will be provided with assistance from Ok Tedi Mining Limited (OTML).
The groundbreaking ceremony marks a long-awaited step towards establishing a permanent base for the Constabulary’s aviation fleet. The facility is also expected to support the operation and maintenance of new aircraft provided through the Papua New Guinea–Australia Policing Partnership and the Australian Federal Police (AFP).
Once completed, the hangar is expected to help reduce operational costs, improve aircraft maintenance and availability, and strengthen emergency response capabilities. It will also enhance the RPNGC’s ability to reach remote communities across the country’s rugged and challenging terrain.
Delivering the opening remarks at the ceremony, Director of Air Operations Senior Inspector Shammah Krahwasi reflected on the 28-year journey since the RPNGC acquired its first helicopter, the “Eye in the Sky,” in 1998 noting that while the air wing previously relied on external facilities and operators, this project’s formal journey began in 2018 under the leadership of then-Assistant Commissioner and current Commissioner David Manning. A 40-year land lease agreement was subsequently secured with the National Airports Corporation (NAC) in February 2020.
“Today, we’re not just breaking the ground beneath us, we are breaking barriers that have limited us over aviation capabilities for decades. We are not simply constructing a hangar, we are building a legacy. We are building a leadership, legacy of leadership. We are building a legacy of institutional development. A legacy of service to the people of Papua New Guinea,” Mr Krahwasi said.
Positioned near the PNGDF Air Transport Wing, the project represents a collaborative triumph involving multiple government and corporate stakeholders.
Key figures acknowledged during the ceremony included Lieutenant Colonel Douglas Vavar (Commanding Officer of the PNGDF ATW), CASA PNG Director Benedict Oraka, Department of Works and Highways Secretary Gibson Holemba and NiuSky Pacific Acting Managing Director Jordan Imal.
Deputy Police Commissioner Dr. Philip Mitna also addressed attendees, emphasizing the indispensable role of aviation in national law enforcement.
Dr. Mitna confirmed that the construction contract has been awarded to Far East Handyman Ltd, with an estimated completion timeframe of six to eight months, targeting readiness ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The project represents an important investment in the development of the Constabulary’s aviation capabilities and infrastructure, supporting efforts to improve policing services and operational effectiveness throughout Papua New Guinea.