One of the world’s youngest air forces is taking part in combat exercises with cutting-edge stealth fighter jets while the Pacific island nation boosts defence ties with Papua New Guinea, Australia and the United States.
Papua New Guinea trainee pilots are lining up to fly alongside US F-22 Raptors and Australian Joint Strike Fighter jets in the 20-nation Pitch Black combat exercise in northern Australia this week.
“This is a learning experience for us as a small air force and it helps make our air force stronger,” said Major Randall Hepota, one of six PNG Air Force pilots flying three small P-750 turboprop aircraft.
The New Zealand-made aircraft can take off and land within short distances in its home country, and can transport supplies and troops to border areas in rugged mountainous terrain.
PNG Air Wing Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Douglas Wawer said Pitch Black would provide an opportunity to train with the world’s best pilots and help PNG learn how to integrate with a larger coalition force.
“We are becoming the air force. Flying is imperative in Papua New Guinea,” he said in an interview at RAAF Base Darwin on Saturday. “Eighty per cent of the population lives in rural areas – so the only way to reach them is to fly.”
He said the PNG Air Force, comparable to the Royal Australian Air Force’s larger aircraft, could land near the site of the Enga landslide disaster in May to deliver aid.
“We have been training with the Royal Australian Air Force for a number of years and the Enga landslide was the first time we had to deploy there,” he said.
Small PNG aircraft have been landing at remote Jabiru to deliver supplies during the brutal heat, as well as at RAAF Tindal base, home to Australia’s F-35 fighter jets.
Australia’s Governor General Sam Mostyn inspects PNG aircraft at the RAAF Darwin Base Open Day.
Australia and the United States signed defence pacts with PNG last year, which Beijing is also pursuing amid strategic competition between major powers in the Pacific islands.
“Papua New Guinea is one of our key partners in the region,” said Fiona Pearce, senior Australian Defence Force officer at RAAF Tyndall.
“Their survival and ours are interdependent,” he said.
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