The U.S. Army and the Papua New Guinea Defense Force concluded a three-week joint military exercise, Tamiok Strike, which began March 21 and ended April 1, 2022.
The exercise built on last year’s iteration of Tamiok Strike and strengthened the bonds of friendship between the U.S. Army and the Papua New Guinea Defense Force forged in WWII. The exercise enhanced combined interoperability capabilities through training, skills sharing, and cultural exchanges. The U.S. Army shared their experiences for basic security operations and medical training, while the PNGDF shared their expertise on jungle operations.
Tamiok Strike was held for the first-time in August 2021. This year’s iteration of Tamiok Strike was held at Goldie River Training Depot in Port Moresby, Moem Barracks in Wewak, and Igam Barracks, Lae, and involved the 1st and 2nd Royal Pacific Island Regiments from the Papua New Guinea Defense Force, and the 130th Engineer Brigade, 8th Theatre Sustainment Command, and the 10th Support Group from the U.S. Army.
The exercise focused on medical training, jungle survival, and strengthening security operations.
The Tamiok Strike exercise builds on the growing relationship between the U.S. military and the Papua New Guinea Defense Force. In addition to last year’s Tamiok Strike, the United States hosted senior leaders from the PNGDF in Hawaii and in Wisconsin and will continue exchanges for years to come.
