11 July 2025
Australian Defence Force (ADF) and Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) instructors of Mobile Training Team Bravo (MTT-B) advanced the Basic Recruit Course in Papua New Guinea last month.
Taking the field phase of the course off-barracks for the first time, MTT-B instructors, led by company officer in command Captain Babun Zetelo Kombage (PNGDF), deployed to Kouderika Beach from Goldie River Training Depot.
Infilling by boat along the coast and by armoured personal carriers over the hills, the recruits were given first-hand exposure to combined arms, littoral operations and engaging with local communities, while the instructing staff executed complex planning.
“It's quite a challenge putting all those pieces together, and although some capabilities we requested couldn’t support this time, the learning objectives are still being met through planning, as well as understanding how our capabilities could tie in together in a combined operation,” Captain Zetelo Kombage said.
While the sea change looked more like a tropical paradise than a military training area, Captain Zetelo Kombage said bunkers from the 1950s were dotted along the coast, providing a realistic representation of key terrain for the recruits to navigate.
They infilled, cleared the enemy, sighted defensive positions and dug stage-three pits into the hillside before moving on to patrols, vehicle check points, ambush serials and stability operations.
“The soldiers have been pushed to find key locations to win the battle and then build trust, because you need the confidence of the local community to be able to do your job,” Captain Zetelo Kombage said.
MTT-B Platoon Commander Lieutenant Lachlan Hughes, of 4th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery, said operating within the local community, building relationships and learning more about PNG was a highlight.
'This is by far the best location I've ever been out field, that's for sure.'
“It’s good to come down on our lunch breaks and interact with the local community, kicking the footy, sharing stories and singing with the local kids. It's been pretty awesome for myself and the team,” Lieutenant Hughes said.
“Seeing the impact that we leave behind with the local communities here has also been quite rewarding, I've really enjoyed it.
“This is by far the best location I've ever been out field, that's for sure.”
Graduating from Royal Military College last year, MTT-B is Lieutenant Hughes’ first overseas deployment.
“I didn’t anticipate how easy it would be to integrate with the PNGDF staff, but since we have a continuous footprint in PNG the transition was super easy and there's been no issues,” he said.
“The overall effort has been high and it's been maintained throughout from both instructors and recruits, which has been great to see. It's all come together really well.”
Asked if he would like to return, Lieutenant Hughes said: “If the opportunity to conduct another MTT pops up, I'll definitely take it."
Looking to the future, Captain Zetelo Kombage said it was important to use geographically strategic locations in training, building trust in communities, and working towards a combined-arms approach.
“We have been trying to innovate and test Defence platforms because it is important to train with all of our capabilities in these areas,” Captain Zetelo Kombage said.
“This is the first but it will not be the last.”
