Royal Australian Air Force military working dog Dawn takes a break during a patrol in Port Moresby in support of APEC 2018. Photo by Able Seaman Kieren Whiteley.

RAAF military working dogs help secure APEC

17/11/201817/11/2018 Posted by Brian Hartigan 3469 Views 0 Comments APEC

Keeping RAAF assets secure in PNG during APEC are a specialised unit of RAAF military working dogs, including Herc and Dawn.

CAPTION: Royal Australian Air Force military working dog Dawn takes a break during a patrol in Port Moresby in support of APEC 2018. Photo by Able Seaman Kieren Whiteley.

The Royal Australian Air Force’s Number 41 Wing was formed 75 years ago in Port Moresby during World War II, not far from where dozens of its members deployed this month for Operation APEC 18 Assist to provide high-level radar and surveillance support.

And it’s these assets Herc and Dawn are tasked to secure.

Operation APEC 18 Assist is the RAAF military working dogs’ first overseas deployment since East Timor.

Papua New Guinea has hosted a year-long program of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings throughout 2018.

This program culminates in the Leaders’ Summit of presidents, VPs and prime ministers from 21 Pacific rim member economies from 12-18 November 2018.

The Australian Defence Force is supporting a safe, secure and successful APEC by providing advisory and other assistance to Papua New Guinea security forces at the request of the Papua New Guinea government.

The Australian Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet is the lead Australian agency with support from the Australian Defence Force and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Australia’s continued military engagement with the Papua New Guinea Defence Force, together with broader engagement, reflects the ongoing commitment to supporting regional partners and promoting a secure and prosperous region..

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