Papua New Guinea Defence Force

National Markings
Papua New Guinea Defence Force

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This section describes and illustrates the various national insignia used by the Papua New Guinea Defence Force since its formation:

                                  
                               Main Marking                              Fin Flash

1975-Present
The main marking is displayed in the standard 6 positions, above and below each wing and on the fuselage sides of aircraft and helicopters. A fin flash comprising a golden bird flying almost head-on is displayed on the tailfin – the green background is omitted on camouflaged aircraft. The service titles PAPUA NEW GUINEA DEFENCE FORCE are displayed on the fuselage sides.

Papua New Guinea Defence Force |Air Transport Squadron

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of the Papua New Guinea Defence Force

History

The Air Transport Squadron of the PNG Defence Force was formed circa 1985, when sufficent aircraft had been obtained to establish a dedicated unit. In 1988 the arrival of the IAI Arava allowed the squadron to be sub-divided into two flights – ‘A’ Flight operating the Arava and ‘B’ Flight operating the N.22 Nomad.

A serious decline in aircraft serviceability during the 1990s led to the two flights being merged back into the squadron command structure and eventually the squadron itself being merged back into Air Operations Element.

Subordinate Units

‘A’ Flight [1988-1995]
‘B’ Flight [1988-1995]

Aircraft

Type Qty Service Example Serials
Douglas C-47B 6 1975 – 1988 P2-001, P2-005
Piper PA-23 Aztec 1 197? – 198? P2-010
GAF N22B Nomad 6 1977 – 1998 P2-011, P2-015
IAI Arava 201 3 1985 – 2008 P2-021, P2-023
Bell UH-1H Iroquois 5 1989 – 1998 P2-0401, P2-0405
CASA CN235M 2 1991 – 1998 P2-0501, P2-0502


Unit Markings

Air Transport Squadron
 


Main Bases

Base Duration
Jacksons International Airport 1985 – 1998


Photographs

None currently available.

More Information

References

Other Sources

To be added.

Papua New Guinea Defence Force

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Operator Profile

History

Narrative Summary

The Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) was first formed in January 1973 from the existing Australian Army land forces units serving in the Territory of Papua New Guinea at that time. These primarily consisted of infantry units of native soldiers with Australian officers and NCOs. An Air Operations Element, (originally called the Air Transport Wing), was created in 1975, shortly before independence was achieved in September 1975. The first aircraft being three C-47 Dakotas donated by Australia.

Key Dates

January 1973    Formation of PNG Defence Force
1975   Formation of Air Transport Wing
19??   Air Transport Wing renamed Air Operations Element

Current Status

The aircraft of the PNG DF Air Operations Element are fully operational.

Future Plans

No information available.

Markings

National Insignia

Current — Historical

Aircraft Serial Numbers

PNG military aircraft carry three-digit or four-digit serial numbers commencing with 001, and prefixed by the Papua New Guinea civil aircraft registration prefix, P2. The second digit of the serial indicates the aircraft type: 0 = C-47, 1 = Aztec/Nomad, 2 = Arava, 3 = Bo 105?, 4 = UH-1H, 5 = CN-235. An example is: CN-235 P2-0502.

Unit/Base Codes

Coding system not used

Aircraft

Aircraft Designations

None – Manufacturers designations used

Current Aircraft Inventory

Table of Current Service Aircraft

All-Time Aircraft Used List

All-Time Table of Aircraft Used

Aircraft NOT Used

False Reports of Aircraft in Service

Aircraft Losses and Incidents

None known.

Organisation

Main Headquarters

Papua New Guinea Defence Force, Murray Barracks, Port Moresby.

Organisational Structure

The Air Operations Element currently has no subsidiary units.

Current Order of Battle

Table of Current Order of Battle

Historical Orders of Battle

Historical Order of Battle for 1990

All-Time Flying Units List

Air Transport Squadron

Air Bases

Current Air Bases

All current PNG DF aircraft and helicopters are based at Jacksons International Airport, Port Moresby. The military base is on the other side of the runway to the civilian operators.

All-Time Air Bases Used List

The PNG DF has previously used five air bases: Lae, Madang, Port Moresby, Rabaul and Wewak. The main air base was at Lae, with the a secondary base at Port Moresby. After Lae City airport was closed, the main base moved to Port Moresby.

More Information

Books

None known.

Magazines

To be added.

Websites

PNG Defence Force
wikipedia: Papua New Guinea Defence Force
Papua New Guinea Defence Force Air Wing

Any photographs illustrating this air arm would be welcome.

Papua New Guinea Defence Force | Historical Order of Battle for 1990

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of the Papua New Guinea Defence Force

Click on unit title for more details

Unit Type Base
Defence Force Air Operations Element
‘A’ Flight Air Transport Squadron IAI Arava Jacksons IAP, Port Moresby
‘B’ Flight Air Transport Squadron N22B Nomad Jacksons IAP, Port Moresby

Papua New Guinea Defence Force | Aircraft Not Used

Last updated:
by the Papua New Guinea Defence Force

This page gives details of some of the aircraft types that were offered or promised to the Papua New Guinea Defence Force but not delivered, cancelled official orders, and types have been falsely reported as being in service.

Beech Super King Air 350
The Super King Air reported in PNG DF use is actually operated by the PNG Government Flying Unit.

CASA C.212 Aviocar
One (ex-Indonesian) C.212 transport was reportedly used by Sandline International, a private security company hired by the PNG government to help quell an armed independence movement in Bougainville. The contract was subsequently cancelled. The C.212 was not used by the PNG DF.

Mil Mi-17 ‘Hip-H’
Four Mi-17 assault helicopters were available to Sandline International, a private security company hired by the PNG government to help quell an armed independence movement in Bougainville. The contract was subsequently cancelled. The helicopters were not used by the PNG DF.

Mil Mi-24P ‘Hind-F’
Two Mi-24 attack helicopters were available to Sandline International from 1997, a private security company hired by the PNG government to help quell an armed independence movement in Bougainville. The contract was subsequently cancelled. The helicopters were not used by the PNG DF.

Papua New Guinea Defence Force
use of the Piper PA-23 Aztec

Last updated:
in Papua New Guinea Defence Force Service

History

One PA-23 Aztec obtained at an unknown date. Used by the Air Transport Squadron.


Individual Details

Serial c/no. Prev. Identity Delivered Fate/Notes
P2-010 ?   ? wfu ?, wreck seen at Lae in May 1988


Pictures

None at present.

More Information

References

  • World Air Forces Directory 2013/14 (Mach III)

Other Sources

To be added.

Papua New Guinea Defence Force
use of the MBB Bo 105

Last updated:
in Papua New Guinea Defence Force Service

History

One Nurtanio-built NBo 105 reportedly obtained in 1999. Used by the Air Transport Squadron. Retired in 2004. No information appears to be available on the identity of this helicopter.


Individual Details

Serial c/no. Prev. Identity Delivered Fate/Notes
P2-0??? n/a   1999 wfu 2004


Pictures

None at present.

More Information

References

Other Sources

To be added.

Papua New Guinea Defence Force
use of the GAF N22B Nomad

Last updated:
in Papua New Guinea Defence Force Service

History

Two new-build transport N22B variants delivered in 1977, followed by four radar-equipped coastal patrol variants from 1978. Used by ‘B’ Flight of the Air Transport Squadron. Withdrawn by 1998 and scrapped at Port Moresby by Seagull Aviation.


Individual Details

Serial c/no. Prev. Identity Delivered Fate/Notes
P2-011 52 P2-DFN Jul 1977 N22B, w/o 4 May 1981 West Sepik Province
P2-012 54 P2-DFO Sep 1977 N22B,  
P2-013 67 P2-DFP Feb 1978 N22 Searchmaster B, wfu, scrapped 1998
P2-014 112 P2-DSQ 1982 N22 Searchmaster L, w/o 28 Jan 1983
P2-015 113   Oct 1982 N22 Searchmaster L, wfu, scrapped 1998
P2-016 143   Jun 1984 N22 Searchmaster B, wfu, scrapped 1998


Pictures

None at present.

More Information

References

Other Sources

To be added.