Minister for the Army opens Igam Barracks at Lae DPR/TV/926

The Minister for the Army, Mr Phillip Lynch, opened a new Army barracks at Lae in New Guinea this week (Monday September 30). Igam Barracks built at a cost of nine million dollars, accommodates a number of Army units including Lae Area Head Headquarters, The Headquarters of The Papua-New Guinea Volunteer Rifles, a detachment of 1st Battalion, The Pacific Islands Regiment, and the Papua-New Guinea Military Cadet School. Also on parade for the opening ceremony was the 3rd Squadron, Special Air Services Regiment, currently undergoing tropical training in Papua-New Guinea. Mr Lynch said the role of the Army in the Territory was to provide an efficient national army capable of playing a vital part in defence and to provide for the future an efficient, well-disciplined, well-trained and reliable army, loyal to the Administration or established government. (Also identified: Brigadier I. M. Hunter, Commander, Papua-New Guinea Command; Lieutenant-Colonel Bishop, Commander Lae Area).