4 October 2024
Australian sappers from 3rd Combat Engineer Regiment, deployed on Exercise Puk Puk, joined members of the PNG Defence Force and local community to celebrate PNG Independence Day in Wewak.
Thousands of local community members gathered at the stadium to celebrate 49 years of independence.
While members of 3rd Combat Engineer Regiment embraced the local culture, Commanding Officer 2nd Royal Pacific Island Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Francis Vitata, said the participation of the Australians spoke volumes about the relationship.
“Our friendship is highlighted through these types of engagement activities,” Lieutenant Colonel Vitata said.
“I said from day one, you stand with us on the parade. We had the OC (officer commanding) and SSM (squadron sergeant major) on stage with us and a platoon commander in the parade.”
That platoon commander, Lieutenant Anthony Basaglia, said it was a great way to reconnect with mates.
“I rocked up to parade rehearsal and was like, ‘I know you and I know you’,” Lieutenant Basaglia said.
“I went through RMC (Royal Military College) with the second guard commander, so I knew a lot of them beforehand.
“Everyone was extremely welcoming, keen to have a chat and ask how things were going.”
Lieutenant Colonel Vitata said the ADF personnel were not just there to do their job.
“It’s also about people-to-people engagement. That has been emphasised since day one. The local community embraces and welcomes the ADF,” he said.
