In setting the phase ahead, Chief of Defense Force Major General Mark Goina officially began the Commanders monthly walk on Friday 27th of January last month.
The walk which began as early as 4.30 am had seen over hundred participants from all Port Moresby based units, Defence Department and the Defence bilateral partners. Major-General Mark Goina officially led the walk on an estimated 3.5 kilometers walk that began from Murray Barracks headquarters to Hohola tunnel, onto freeway to Waigani Central tunnel than to Boroko and ended at Murray Barracks.
The units that took part came from Goldie River Training Depot, 1RPIR from Taurama Barracks, Basilisk Naval Base, Air Transport Wing, Force Support Battalion, PNGDF Headquarters and Department of Defence Staff. During the walk the team was also happy to see participants from Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, US and other defence partners.
The walk was also important as it coincided with the commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the first establishment of Papua New Guinea Defence Force.
During the walk, all the units participated very well and the walk ended successfully with a complimentary speech from Major-General Mark Goina.
During his speech he assured the troops that despite uniform issues; the soldiers were very professional in their dressing and did a good turn out on 50th PNGDF anniversary parade the day before.
Major General Goina thanked the Australian Defence Staff and the New Zealand Defence Staff for always supporting PNGDF and is looking forward in working together in revitalizing the force. He thanked the other defence partners from Indonesia, America, Japan, China, French India and other countries who are affiliating with PNGDF.
Goina thank the Department of Defence Staff who also accepted his invitation and successfully walked with him. He urges the Department of Defence and PNGDF to work together as one team throughout this year.
Commanders Walk is a monthly walk as part of Defence Force activity that happens every month. Today will be the second Commanders Walk of the year.