READOUT: Pacific Fleet commander’s travel to Papua New Guinea, 9-10 Nov 2023

10 November 2023

From U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs

Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander U.S. Pacific Fleet, traveled to Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, Nov. 9-10, 2023 to affirm the longstanding partnership and bilateral relationship between Papua New Guinea and the United States.

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Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, center, poses for a photo with the Honorable Hari John Akipe, Secretary for Defence of Papua New Guinea, left, and Commodore Philip Polewara, acting Chief of Papua New Guinea Defence Force, at Murray Barracks in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, Nov. 10, 2023. The visit to Papua New Guinea underscores the United States’ commitment to strengthening partnerships for an enduring resilient, free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jeremy R. Boan)

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea (Nov. 10, 2023) – Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, center, poses for a photo with the Honorable Hari John Akipe, Secretary for Defence of Papua New Guinea, left, and Commodore Philip Polewara, acting Chief of Papua New Guinea Defence Force, at Murray Barracks in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, Nov. 10, 2023. The visit to Papua New Guinea underscores the United States’ commitment to strengthening partnerships for an enduring resilient, free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jeremy R. Boan)

Paparo met with senior defense officials to discuss enhancing security engagement under the new Defense Cooperation Agreement, deepening partnerships, and the importance of maritime security and interoperability between naval forces in the Indo-Pacific.

Meetings with Papua New Guinea defense officials included:

·       Secretary of Defense, Hon. Hari John Akipe
·       Acting Chief of Defence, Commodore Philip Polewara
·       Department of Defence, First Assistant Secretary for Policy, Mr. Terry Udu
·       Chief of Staff, Colonel Raphael Yapu
·       Chief of Force Preparation, Colonel Craig Solomon
·       Deputy Chief of Staff, Colonel Jeremy Ramsden

Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, salutes during a Papua New Guinea Quarter Guard ceremony in observance of Armistice Day at Murray Barracks in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, Nov. 10, 2023. The visit to Papua New Guinea underscores the United States’ commitment to strengthening partnerships for an enduring resilient, free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jeremy R. Boan)

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea (Nov. 10, 2023) – Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, salutes during a Papua New Guinea Quarter Guard ceremony in observance of Armistice Day at Murray Barracks in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, Nov. 10, 2023. The visit to Papua New Guinea underscores the United States’ commitment to strengthening partnerships for an enduring resilient, free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jeremy R. Boan)

Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, right, poses for a photo with the Honorable Hari John Akipe, Secretary for Defence of Papua New Guinea, at Murray Barracks in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, Nov. 10, 2023. The visit to Papua New Guinea underscores the United States’ commitment to strengthening partnerships for an enduring resilient, free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jeremy R. Boan)

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea (Nov. 10, 2023) – Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, right, poses for a photo with the Honorable Hari John Akipe, Secretary for Defence of Papua New Guinea, at Murray Barracks in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, Nov. 10, 2023. The visit to Papua New Guinea underscores the United States’ commitment to strengthening partnerships for an enduring resilient, free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jeremy R. Boan)

Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, left, greets Col. Raphael Yapu, chief of staff, Papua New Guinea Defense Force, upon arrival at Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, Nov. 9, 2023. The visit to Papua New Guinea underscores the United States’ commitment to strengthening partnerships for an enduring resilient, free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jeremy R. Boan)

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea (Nov. 9, 2023) – Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, left, greets Col. Raphael Yapu, chief of staff, Papua New Guinea Defense Force, upon arrival at Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, Nov. 9, 2023. The visit to Papua New Guinea underscores the United States’ commitment to strengthening partnerships for an enduring resilient, free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jeremy R. Boan)

Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, left, meets with Commodore Philip Polewara, acting Chief of Papua New Guinea Defence Force, for a bilateral engagement at Murray Barracks in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, Nov. 10, 2023. The visit to Papua New Guinea underscores the United States’ commitment to strengthening partnerships for an enduring resilient, free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jeremy R. Boan)

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea (Nov. 10, 2023) – Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, left, meets with Commodore Philip Polewara, acting Chief of Papua New Guinea Defence Force, for a bilateral engagement at Murray Barracks in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, Nov. 10, 2023. The visit to Papua New Guinea underscores the United States’ commitment to strengthening partnerships for an enduring resilient, free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jeremy R. Boan)

Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet (center left) and Mr. Terence Moka, president of the Papua New Guinea National Museum and Art Gallery (NMAG) board of trustees (center right) pose for a photo with NMAG Interim Museum Manager Ms. Loretta Hasu and staff during the tour in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, Nov. 10, 2023. The visit to Papua New Guinea underscores the United States’ commitment to strengthening partnerships for an enduring resilient, free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jeremy R. Boan)

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea (Nov. 10, 2023) – Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet (center left) and Mr. Terence Moka, president of the Papua New Guinea National Museum and Art Gallery (NMAG) board of trustees (center right) pose for a photo with NMAG Interim Museum Manager Ms. Loretta Hasu and staff during the tour in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, Nov. 10, 2023. The visit to Papua New Guinea underscores the United States’ commitment to strengthening partnerships for an enduring resilient, free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jeremy R. Boan)

Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, left, tours the Papua New Guinea National Art and Museum Gallery in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, Nov. 10, 2023. The visit to Papua New Guinea underscores the United States’ commitment to strengthening partnerships for an enduring resilient, free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jeremy R. Boan)

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea (Nov. 10, 2023) – Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, left, tours the Papua New Guinea National Art and Museum Gallery in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, Nov. 10, 2023. The visit to Papua New Guinea underscores the United States’ commitment to strengthening partnerships for an enduring resilient, free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jeremy R. Boan)

Paparo expressed appreciation for our nations’ shared history and sacrifice, and the growing partnership between our militaries, including bilateral exercises and subject matter expert exchanges. The leaders discussed broadening naval cooperation, especially in areas of maritime security, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

In October, Papua New Guinea hosted Pacific Partnership 23 on its fourth mission stop to work together to enhance disaster response capabilities and foster new and enduring friendships.

While in Port Moresby, Paparo visited the National Museum and Art Gallery, highlighted by the opening week of the Kokoda Trail special collection, with an in-depth look at the cooperation and shared sacrifices of Papuans, Australians, and Americans during WWII.

The visit to Papua New Guinea underscored the United States’ commitment to strengthening alliances and partnerships for an enduring resilient, free and open Indo-Pacific.