The Papua New Guinea Defense Force (PNGDF) celebrated the successful completion of four weeks of intensive training in advanced medical skills and small unit tactics (SUT) with a graduation ceremony held Friday, April 11. The training, conducted by the U.S. Security Assistance Training Management Organization (SATMO), emphasized leadership, self-sufficiency, and operational readiness. The ceremony was attended by distinguished guests, including representatives from the PNGDF, the U.S. Embassy, and SATMO, as well as the graduating students. "This training is a testament to the strong partnership between the United States and Papua New Guinea. Our shared commitment to security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region is reflected in the hard work and achievements of these graduates," said Colonel Isaac Baskins, U.S. Defense Attache. “The PNGDF completed 4 weeks of rigorous training in both advanced medical skills and small unit tactics with a heavy emphasis on leadership. While the training was difficult, strenuous, challenging and highly realistic it was also very rewarding,” said Master Sergeant Hans Moeller, SATMO Team Sergeant. “These trainings are designed to create leaders. I encourage you to look at yourself as leaders and continue to push forward and pass on this knowledge and training to your fellow soldiers so that we can continue to help make the PNGDF better and better every year.” “All of this training is geared to getting our basics correct and then preparing for the next national event that PNGDF will undoubtedly be asked to support.” said LtCol Donald Aisuk, Director of Land. He added that these past four weeks have been hard, but this is how resilience is built, and they need to be physically and mentally fit. The training included a series of practical exercises designed to simulate real-world scenarios. The medical team applied their didactic knowledge in a field environment, conducting mass casualty response training and establishing medical aid stations. The SUT training culminated in a Final Training Exercise that focused on React to Contact, Ambush, and Leadership procedures. The United States is committed to engaging Papua New Guinea and its Pacific neighbors to preserve a free and open, secure, connected, and prosperous Indo-Pacific. "Our bilateral Defense Cooperation Agreement (DCA), which entered into force in 2023, is the cornerstone of our growing security partnership."