The Royal Australian Navy patrol boat HMAS Broome has departed Papua New Guinea after a successful bilateral maritime engagement.
Exercise PARADISE coincided with 40th anniversary celebrations for the Papua New Guinea Defence Force Maritime Element (PNGDF- ME).
Commanding Officer Broome, Lieutenant Commander (LCDR) Michael Kerrisk said his crew enjoyed working with their regional counterparts.
“During PARADISE, we exercised with Pacific Class Patrol Boat HMPNGS Seeadler and Landing Craft Heavy HMPNGS Salamaua. The interaction enhanced our seamanship, communication and mariner skills as well as our ability to work with our small boat colleagues,” LCDR Kerrisk said.
“We were pleased to welcome PNGDF-ME personnel onboard Broome during the exercise.
“Australia and Papua New Guinea both face challenges protecting our Exclusive Economic Zones. By spending time together at sea, we are able to share tactics, which enhances our ability to work together in maritime surveillance. It also builds trust and respect between our nations,” LCDR Kerrisk said.
As regional security partners, both nations have a common interest in working closely to ensure a safe, prosperous and peaceful region.
Broome has departed Port Moresby and is en-route to Australia.
Australia assists the PNGDF through the Defence Cooperation Program to be a capable, sustainable and professional regional security partner. Australia helps develop the PNGDF’s capability to secure its borders, contribute to United Nations and multilateral peacekeeping missions, to maintain stability and cohesion in our region, and cooperate with the Australian Defence Force in areas such as humanitarian and disaster relief.