PNG graduates take new skills and friendships home

When PTE Jackson Waimun arrived in Australia, much of his aviation knowledge came from watching experienced maintenance personnel at home in PNG.

Now, with a successful year of aircraft technician training at RAAF Base Wagga under his belt, he has the chance to turn that early exposure into skills he can take back to his unit.

PTE Waimun was one of eight Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) Air Transport Wing personnel who graduated from RAAF School of Technical Training’s (RAAFSTT) aircraft and avionics technician courses between June and September.

Their training forms part of Flights of Excellence, an Air Force-endorsed partnership administered through Australia’s Defence Cooperation Program to help PNG develop and sustain its sovereign aviation capability.

The program has helped PNGDF develop an aviation safety framework, and has provided aircraft and established pathways for pilots, engineers, ground crew and other support personnel. RAAF specialists also mentor Air Transport Wing personnel in PNG, helping maintain and sustain aircraft as the workforce develops its skills and experiences.

Director PNG Sovereign Aviation Capability at HQAC GPCAPT Steve Fielder said building a technical workforce was essential to that ambition.

“The graduates form the backbone of the new and developing aviation capability in PNG,” he said.

For CPL Elizah Paul, studying in Wagga was his first trip abroad in his 10-year military career. After a lengthy nomination process involving interviews, testing and preparatory study, he was proud to be an ambassador for the Air Transport Wing, mindful that he and his compatriots carried their country’s hopes together with their own aspirations.

“Even our units are looking up to us,” CPL Paul said.

That awareness has shaped what he hopes to achieve on his return: putting his knowledge to work to help improve the unit.

The connection between study and service was also top of mind for PTE Waimun. Now in his seventh year with PNGDF, his goal is to take his Australian training to contribute back home.

The need for those skills was clear to PTE Johnson Renagi who, after clocking up six years in uniform, understood that practical learning and experience would build on the theory covered at RAAFSTT.

“We need trained and skilled people to work on the aircraft. Our learning is not over,” he said.

For PTE Renagi, adjusting to a different culture and learning environment took effort.

“It was really challenging, but we adapted to it and we did well,” he said.

Course NCOs helped trainees navigate those challenges by monitoring academic progress and welfare. Education support staff assisted with technical terminology and course material, and cultural liaison support was provided for PNGDF personnel and their instructors.

PTE Kenblake Amiwasa said that assistance made a huge difference. While military experience garnered over the past eight years had helped him reach this point, studying overseas presented unique challenges.

“Australia was a new experience, but all the instructors and the NCOs have been very helpful. Our Australian classmates have also made us welcome,” he said.

RAAF CPL Eryn Kable said some made an effort to learn their colleagues’ language.

“I believe they were trying to learn a little bit of the language, so they could include them,” she said.

The connections continued outside the classroom. At the end of one course, the trainees travelled to Melbourne together to celebrate their graduation.

CPL Shannon Rogers said those connections had grown into lasting friendships.

“They have become good friends, pretty much friends for life,” he said.

The PNG aircraft technician graduates were PTE Jackson Waimun, CPL Elizah Paul, LCPL Bonny Mathew and PTE Jason Gam. The avionics technician graduates were LCPL Marlin Unaen, LCPL Joel Waieng, PTE Kenblake Amiwasa and PTE Johnson Renagi.

RAAF SGT Peatrie Birney found that his PNG heritage helped him connect with the trainees. He said their influence would extend beyond their individual achievements and to the future of PNGDF’s Air Transport Wing.

“They’re the first generation of what’s to come,” SGT Birney said.