The Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF), Australia Defence Force (ADF), and the United States (US) Defence Forces are conducting complex training exercises in Wewak and Lae, including a personnel recovery activity as part of Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025.
The complex exercises include responding together in emergency events, in this case, a crashed aircraft, conducted by members of the PNGD, ADF, and US Armed Forces.
The exercise recreates emergency situations that maximizes unified Multi-National Tactical Operation Centre Perspective, demonstrating how allied nations unite their efforts to respond to a crisis, in this instance, a crashed aircraft.
The complexity of training undertaken by the combined force elements demonstrates well-practiced integration and commitment to assist each other in times of need.
Meanwhile, additional military assets will join the simulated recovery mission as more scenarios unfold.
This includes a PNG Guardian-class Patrol Boat, an Air Transport Wing PAC750 aircraft, an Australian C27-J Spartan, the USS Miguel Keith and its embarked helicopters and mission support craft.
Talisman Sabre 2025 Exercise Director Brigadier Damian Hill discussed the importance of partner nations working together, and the significance of an Exercise Talisman Sabre activity being conducted in Papua New Guinea for the first time.
“To work together means to work as one combined force. We become stronger together and I am confident that this exercise has forged a stronger relationship between the three countries, including the Australian Defence Force, Papua New Guinea Defence Force and the United States Armed Forces.”
“This activity is designed to provide participants insight into a real-life scenario while working together to recover personnel,” Mr. Hill said.
These complex-training scenarios demonstrate the strength of PNGDF capabilities and growing interoperability with Pacific partners as PNG marks its 50th anniversary of independence.
2025 marks an important milestone for Exercise Talisman Sabre as components of the Exercise are occurring outside of Australia for the first time ever and will officially conclude on August 4th, 2025, in Lae, Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea.