Building a better PNG
The multicultural engineer exercise that benefits from the best of both worlds

LCpl Tully Currie (left), 17 Const Sqn, and Spr Robin Pokayeh, PNGDF EB, take a break at the first tree to be felled for the exercise.

Spr Andrew Knaggs, 2CER, and Spr Harris Rohoro, PNGDF EB, paint the RAP.

Spr Moka Tovoboda, PNGDF EB, and LCpl Tully Currie, 17 Const Sqn, break up the old concrete footings at the HQ Building site before putting in the new foundation. Photos provided by Lt Mark Williamson, 17 Const Sqn

By Lt Mark Williamson

Exercise Puk Puk (Tok Pisin for crocodile) is an annual two-month exercise involving Australian engineers and the Papua New Guinea Defence Force Engineer Battalion (PNGDF EB), which this year had 17 Const Sqn deploying to Wewak in Northwest PNG.

The Exercise was funded under Australia’s Defence Cooperation Program (DCP) and is designed to improve the infrastructure at Moem Barracks for the 2nd Battalion Royal Pacific Islands Regiment (2RPIR).

OC 17 Const Sqn Maj Paul Hobbs says the trip has been a valuable learning experience for unit members, many of whom hadn’t experienced Pacific Islands hospitality before.

“On our arrival we received a very warm welcome, including a traditional sing sing and welcoming parade,” he says.

“The PNGDF engineers are now completely integrated into all areas of the Sqn, including the HQ, Q-store, transport, kitchen and construction teams.

“PNGDF supervisors have also taken the lead on half of our tasks.

“The conditions in Wewak are very arduous. It is very hot and humid, with extended periods without water and power, but as always we have made ourselves as comfortable as possible.”

The 64 engineers and support personnel from 17 Const Sqn worked with 36 engineers from the PNGDF EB and 25 Assault Pioneers from 2 RPIR, in integrated teams, to construct a new headquarters building and ablutions block, and undertake major renovations of the Medical Centre, Soldier’s Club, Gym, and Chapel.

The group has also undertaken several tasks of opportunity, like repairing bridges and water mains, unblocking sewers, fixing vehicles and building a school playground.

“This is the perfect training environment to practice engineering for operations,” Maj Hobbs says.

LCpl Jason Simpson, 17 Const Sqn, LCpl Fred Aisak, PNGDF EB, and Spr John Kyriakakis, SME, pour the slab for the HQ building ablutions block.

Lt Natasha Alston, 1CSSB, helps out with the innoculation program at a local school.

“We are very isolated, in an extremely harsh environment, with little-to-no local infrastructure. The only access is by air or sea, so we must win construction materials locally, wherever possible, and are milling our own timber.

“By working together we are able to use each others’ knowledge to create a team stronger than the two halves. This ensures we are best prepared to work together in the future on operations like those recently conducted in the Solomon Islands.”

In consultation with the Moem Primary School staff, the environmental health team has developed and commenced a training package for the school children and their parents. The package involves instruction and revision on basic health, hygiene and first aid, English stories read by squadron members, physical education and surf life-saving lessons.

Medical staff have also assisted in the implementation of a National Immunisation Program, which has inoculated more than 500 children against Polio and Measles. The program aims to achieve 95 per cent coverage of all children between the ages of six months to 10 years.

As the Australian and PNG engineers live, work and play side by side during Ex Puk Puk, the camaraderie and inter-operability that exists between RAE and the PNGDF EB is reinforced. The Australians have also taken the opportunity to experience the rich local culture and history.

Expeditions up the Sepik River have been conducted to visit traditional villages, and tours were made to see the historic Wom War Memorial, where elements of the Japanese Army surrendered in World War Two.

The exercise has practiced the squadron in light-scale engineer deployment – only two shipping containers were utilised in deploying stores and equipment from Australia. Since building materials had to be shipped to Wewak, the procurement of stores in country proved a major challenge.