The Papua New Guinea Defense Force (PNGDF) maritime element boosted its operational capabilities with a new vessel commissioned today; however, it will not be used for any duties yet.
Commander of Defense Force (CDF) Major General Mark Goina said the new Landing craft- HMPNGS Cape Gloucester, will not be deployed for security and logistical operations during the 2022 National General Election.
“For the landing craft, because this one’s just commissioned, we’ll put her on reserve,” said the CDF.
He said the other vessels in the fleet will be used including the other landing craft the HMPNGS Lakekamu.
“Lakekamu will be used mainly within the Milne Bay waters and to Morobe and up to East and West New Britain.”
However, Goina said if there is need to deploy Cape Gloucester, the defence force will do so.
He added that the Guardian Class patrol boats will be on duty as well supporting the election security and logistical effort.
Meanwhile, the new vessel was commissioned as HMPNGS Cape Gloucester to mark the significant battle during the Second World War that played at big part in turning the tide of the war in the pacific.
Cape Gloucester was one of the major battle grounds in the pacific campaign that saw the allied forces comprising of United Stated Marines of the First Division, Navy, Air Force and the Royal Australian Air Force and Army landed and engaged the Japanese force during Operation Benchmark to capture an airfield, before moving on to the Admiralty Islands, which is now Manus.
The new vessel was purchased from the Australian Defence Force by the PNG government and was delivered on the 13th of May this year.
It holds up to 16 crew including the captain and has a greater loading and troop capacity than the current landing craft.