Chief Minister visits exercise DPR/TV/1524

The Chief Minister of Papua New Guinea, Mr Michael Somare, yesterday (Sunday 17 September) visited the major Army exercise being conducted in the Huon Peninsula area of Papua New Guinea. It is believed to be the first time that a Minister of the PNG House of Assembly has visited troops in the field. The exercise, Treble Change, involves soldiers from 1st Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment and elements of HQ 3rd Task Force from Townsville, Qld, and troops from 1st Battalion, The Pacific Islands Regiment from Taurama Barracks, Port Moresby. Accompanied by the Commander of the Joint Force, Papua New Guinea, Brigadier J. W. Norrie, Mr Somare flew from Lae to Finschhafen in an Army Porter aircraft. At Finschhafen he was briefed by the exercise director, Lieutenant-Colonel David Allan, and then flew over the rugged jungle clad ridges in an RAAF Iroquois helicopter. He lunched in the field on Army rations during his visit to C Company, 1 PIR, commanded by Major E. Diro. He later flew on to Wario, to speak with men of A Company, 1 PIR, commanded by Major Paul Mench. Mr Somare later flew back to Lae in the Army Porter aircraft.