Australia's Chief of Army Peter Leahy has praised Papua New Guinean soldiers for their work in Solomons Islands and in providing security during the recent PNG elections.
On a flying visit to PNG, Lieutenant-General Leahy handed over the keys to a PNG Defence Force ammunition depot newly refurbished under the guidance of Australian army engineers.
He has also visited Australian army sappers working with PNG sappers to refurbish Igam Barracks near Lae under Exercise Pukpuk, a yearly programme in which Australian troops help refurbish PNG military facilities.
Lieutenant-General Leahy also praised the PNG Defence Force Commander Peter Ilau on the now-completed downsizing of the PNG Defence Force from around 5,000 troops to 2,000.
