As part of Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025, Australia, Papua New Guinea and the United States defence forces are conducting complex training exercises in Wewak and Lae, including a personnel recovery activity.
Members from the Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF), Australian Defence Force (ADF), and US Armed Forces are rehearsing how they would respond together in the event of a crashed aircraft.
The training activity simulates an emergency response from a Multi-National Tactical Operations Centre in the deployment of a combined recovery team to a crash site to recover personnel.
As the scenario unfolds, additional military assets will join the simulated recovery mission including a PNG Guardian-class Patrol Boat, an Air Transport Wing PAC750 aircraft, an Australian C27-J Spartan, the USS Miguel Keith and its embarked helicopters and mission support craft.
The growing complexity of the training undertaken by the combined force elements demonstrates well-practiced integration and commitment to assist each other in times of need.
Talisman Sabre 2025 Exercise Director Brigadier Damian Hill discussed the importance of partner nations working together, and the significance of an Exercise Talisman Sabre activity being conducted in Papua New Guinea for the first time.
“To work together means to work as one combined force. We become stronger together and I am confident that this exercise has forged a stronger relationship between the three countries, including the Australian Defence Force, Papua New Guinea Defence Force and the United States Armed Forces” he said.
“This activity is designed to provide participants insight into a real-life scenario while working together to recover personnel.”
These complex-training scenarios demonstrate the strength of PNGDF capabilities and growing interoperability with Pacific partners as PNG marks its 50th anniversary of independence.
2025 marks an important milestone for Exercise Talisman Sabre as components of the Exercise are occurring outside of Australia for the first time ever.
Exercise Talisman Sabre will formally conclude with a closing ceremony in Lae, Papua New Guinea on 4 August 2025.
For further information, including access to related materials, please contact the Australian High Commission media team: +675 7090 0100