Description
The Papua New Guinea Defence Force came into being at a special inaugration ceremony at Murray Barracks last week (January 26) The Minister for Defence, Mr Barnard reviewed the parade of men from the land, sea and air sections of the new force which has been formed by the intergration of the three elements Army, RAN and RAAF of the former Joint Force. The chairman of the Australian Chief of Staffs Committee, Admiral Sir Victor Smith, the Minister Assiting the Minister for Defence, Senator Bishop, the Administator of Papua New Guinea, Mr Somare and the Commander of the Defence Force, Brigadier J.W. Norrie also attended the parade. As Mr Barnard and Mr Somare moved out to inspect the parade torrential rain began to fall. The party was accompanied by the Parade Commander, Lieutenant Colonel J.W. Irvine. On parade were soldiers from the 1st Battalion, Pacific Islands Regiment, based at Taurama Barracks qand the units at Murray Barracks; Sailors from the Papua New Guinea Patr