When the recent class of Officer Training School (OTS) graduates tossed their hats into the air on graduation day, history was being made.
Two graduates from the Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) stood side by side with their new ADF friends at RAAF Base East Sale on September 26, becoming the first international students to graduate from the Initial Officer Course.
The Graduation of Initial Officer Course 5 of 2024 marks another significant milestone for the ADF and PNGDF in their strong aviation partnership.
Watching proudly as the students presented their achievements on parade was PNG Defence Attaché to Australia Colonel Siale Diro.
"Today is a proud moment for the PNG Defence Force. It is significant because it is a game changer in terms of [the] relationship between our countries and Defence Forces," Colonel Diro said.
"This, right here today, underpins everything; to see human interaction, learning the same values, same way of thinking, the same skills, and of course developing a cohort of lifelong friends.
"On a larger relationship spectrum, all environments of our relationship between our Defence Forces are now complete - air, maritime and land, including all the other enablers. So the Flights of Excellence program has been extremely valuable."
The training collaboration is part of the Flights of Excellence program, an initiative to develop PNG's sovereign aviation capability, supported by RAAF.
As part of this long-term partnership, two new PAC-750XL aircraft were delivered to the PNGDF in 2023. The collaboration includes ongoing support for aviation safety, maintenance and sustainment throughout the operational life of the aircraft.
'This, right here today, underpins everything; to see human interaction, learning the same values, same way of thinking, the same skills, and of course developing a cohort of lifelong friends.'
In addition to joint training and capacity-building activities, more PNGDF personnel are expected to graduate from OTS Initial Officer Course in the future.
Senior Instructor OTS Flight Lieutenant Brendan Quigley said this milestone built on Australia's and PNG's existing partnership and aviation cooperation through developing enduring relationships and future leaders of the PNGDF Air Transport Wing.
"Inclusion of PNGDF trainees on course has greatly benefited the Air Force through sharing and building a greater understanding of each other's country and culture," Flight Lieutenant Quigley said.
"The forging of strong relationships through officer training offers the opportunity to integrate forces to enhance regional capacity and interoperability."
PNGDF Second Lieutenant Joseph Tommy was proud to represent his country and graduate alongside his new friends and fellow footy supporters.
"My favourite thing about Australia is the sport, like watching NRL, so when they gave us privileges we were excited to watch the footy over the weekend," PNGDF Second Lieutenant Tommy said.
"I am super excited to graduate OTS as the first Papua New Guinean to graduate [Initial Officer Course] here in Australia, the second oldest Air Force in the world.
"Going forward from my experience here, apart from being a good follower and leader back in my country, I will be giving good guidance to those who are coming after us … to graduate with flying colours here."
As a proud OTS graduate, Second Lieutenant Tommy will return home with new friends, skills and experiences to continue onto PNGDF PAC-750 conversion training under the Flights of Excellence Program.
