The Australian Defence Force (ADF) has concluded a deployment of personnel to Papua New Guinea, as part of Exercise Pacific Partnership 2025.
Chief of Joint Operations, Vice Admiral Justin Jones, said Exercise Pacific Partnership was an important commitment for the ADF.
“Our people, both civilian and military, continue to provide a valuable contribution to natural disaster resilience in the region,” Vice Admiral Jones said. “Australia remains committed to supporting our neighbours in the Pacific, while working alongside our partners in the region.”
This US-led activity is in its 21st iteration, and includes visits to Pacific nations by US Navy ships and military personnel from Australia, Canada, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Singapore, UK and US.
Commander of the Australian Contingent, Commander Darren Smith, said the ADF was providing a broad range of specialist capabilities.
“Our mission is to enable interoperability with host nations and exercise participants, enhancing our disaster response capability in the region,” Commander Smith stated. “We’re deploying specialists in the fields of operations, gender peace and security, music, medical and dental, environmental health and chaplaincy.”
The ADF has deployed five personnel aboard the USS Pearl Harbor and USS John L Canley for the exercise.
Exercise participants conducted disaster management educational workshops in Port Moresby, community engagements and a port visit in Lae.
“The ADF’s commitment also includes personnel, from the Australian Civil Military Centre and Pacific Response Group, who specialise in disaster response," Commander Smith affirmed.
Pacific Partnership 2025 will continue, with additional visits to the Federated States of Micronesia and Samoa scheduled for later this year. The exercise is set to conclude in November 2025.