9 December 2024
The Australian Army and Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) partnered in a series of training activities in Wewak on the north coast of PNG for this year’s Exercise Wantok Warrior.
Australian personnel, primarily from the 3rd Brigade, conducted infantry focused combined arms assault serials using air-mobile, armoured and amphibious assets with their PNGDF counterparts.
The exercise was turned up a notch with the addition of 2nd Cavalry Regiment Australian light armoured vehicles and CH-47 Chinooks from 5th Aviation Regiment.
Sappers from 3rd Combat Engineer Regiment and infantry soldiers from 3rd Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment (3RAR), also integrated with the PNGDF’s 2nd Royal Pacific Island Regiment.
A series of full mission profiles were conducted, the first phase beginning with an infantry platoon inserting via small boats onto Mushu Island, where a position was occupied and reinforced by a force of enemy role players.
Major Joseph Smith, of 3RAR, said the second phase was a cordon and search of the port of Wewak.
“Members inserted via Chinooks, while armoured vehicles established the outer cordon of the port,” Major Smith said.
“Phase three involved an infantry platoon working alongside an engineer troop to secure and clear Boram Airport.
“During the last phase, an element conducted a reconnaissance mission, a platoon was sent to conduct a recovery of those assets and clearance of the enemy before the Chinooks were able to securely land, attach and extract casualties.”
'The exercise offers our Australian soldiers the opportunity to experience another country and pass on what they know overseas.'
For Lieutenant Colonel Francis Vitata (PNGDF), who participated as a platoon commander during Exercise Wantok Warrior 2005, it was his first experience of the exercise as Commanding Officer 2nd Royal Pacific Island Regiment.
Lieutenant Colonel Vitata said the exercise had developed in complexity since 2005.
“During that time [in 2005], we were only exposed to M16s and covered things like section attacks, up to company level attacks,” Lieutenant Colonel Vitata said.
“The highlight this year has been the usage of multiple platforms, particularly the Chinooks.
“It enhances interoperability and demonstrates our ability to work together.
“I think it has added a lot of value; the networking of soldiers helping each other and the ability to blend and work together; our friends from long ago until now and into the future.”
Major Smith said 3RAR was grateful to come back and advance the exercise after participating in last year’s Wantok Warrior.
“The exercise offers our Australian soldiers the opportunity to experience another country and pass on what they know overseas,” he said.
“We learn from our close partners, our regional friends, what they know and share with each other.
“Those skills will be something that we reflect on next year, and in the years to come people will reflect fondly.
“We are forming person-to-person relationships and friendships; we see each other for who we are, and we work together to make each other better versions of ourselves.”
3RAR has been invited back for Exercise Wantok Warrior 2025.
