The Royal Australian Air Force’s Olgeta Aviator Mobile Training Team – Charlie (MTT-C) have been working side-by-side with the Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) Air Transport Wing (ATW), delivering targeted mentoring and capability development across training, operations, maintenance, logistics and personnel management.

Deployed in support of the Defence Cooperation Program (DCP), the MTT team comprises six specialists embedded with their PNGDF counterparts for three-month rotations, three times a year. 

The latest team, deployed in September, spent their time building relationships, sharing expertise, and learning from PNG’s unique operational environment.

“PNGDF have generously welcomed us into their Flights of Excellence program, I feel honoured to be working alongside such proud and patriotic individuals,” MTT-C Maintenance, Sergeant Daniel Murchie, said.

“This experience has reignited my passion for teaching maintenance practices and procedures.

“My time in PNG will be long remembered as one of the most fulfilling experiences in my RAAF career.”

Joining MTT-C for a month, 65 Air Base Recovery Squadron (65ABRS) trades provided construction, maintenance and renovation works on PNGDF housing at Kiki Barracks in Port Moresby.

“The team are making a big difference to the quality of life available to the ATW families,” 65ABRS site supervisor Warrant Officer Steve Clarke said. 

“I am extremely proud of the hard work, dedication and professionalism shown by the team, they have been able to produce workable solutions in challenging conditions, alongside mentoring and developing the PNGDF trades.”

Throughout the deployment, the team participated in planning sessions with PNGDF ATW personnel, and delivered hands-on technical training and leadership development workshops. 

'With the recent signing of the Pukpuk Treaty, our cooperation with the PNGDF has entered an even more meaningful phase, grounded in mutual respect and shared goals.'

Training systems officer Flying Officer Dana Jacquin enjoyed working alongside the PNGDF ATW training team to exchange best practices and strengthen interoperability. 

“Their openness and commitment to learning created an environment where collaboration thrived,” Flying Officer Jacquin said.

"The warm welcome and the beautiful people of Papua New Guinea made this experience truly memorable.”

Following the PNG 50th Anniversary of Independence events in September, MTT-C operations have focused on working with the PNGDF to establish an Air Operations Centre.

The partnership has also extended beyond the hangar and into the community with MTT-C members engaging in outreach activities and cultural exchanges, including hiking the Kokoda Trek, Cheshire Disability School visit, hosting the first ‘Snags of Excellence’ squadron BBQ and Trivia event, and participating in a monthly Chief of Defence walk with PNGDF mates.

Wing Commander Shane Prior, of the Air Defence Cooperation Program, emphasised the growing strategic importance of the partnership.

“This program is not just about capability, it’s about relationships,” Wing Commander Prior said. 

“With the recent signing of the Pukpuk Treaty, our cooperation with the PNGDF has entered an even more meaningful phase, grounded in mutual respect and shared goals.

“Every deployment builds trust, and every conversation helps shape a stronger, more resilient regional defence partnership.”

The Olgeta Aviator initiative remains a shining example of how regional defence partnerships can be both operationally effective and deeply human, built on shared values, mutual respect and a commitment to a safer, stronger Pacific region.