US and Papua New Guinea leaders break ground on Tamiok Strike 26

LAE, Papua New Guinea — U.S. Army and Papua New Guinea Defence Force leaders broke ground July 7 on an Engineer Civic Action Program school renovation at Igam Barracks, launching a project that will upgrade classrooms used by military families while pairing U.S. and PNGDF engineers for side-by-side training in a live construction setting.

The ceremony gathered Soldiers, senior leaders and community members to open Exercise Tamiok Strike 26 with a focus on practical, community-centered work that reinforces the two nations’ military partnership and readiness.

Papua New Guinea Defence Force Col. Michael Percy Marai, commandant of Lae Area, welcomed the visiting U.S. contingent and underscored the broader purpose of the bilateral training. “Exercise Tamiok Strike represents far more than just a routine military drill,” Marai said. “It is a clear testament to the ever-growing partnership and shared values between our two nations, Papua New Guinea and the United States.” He added that the exercise enhances interoperability, strengthens mutual trust and prepares both forces to respond to security challenges and natural disasters across the Indo-Pacific. “I urge you to seize this opportunity, learn from each other, respect the unique operational experiences each force brings to the table, and forge relationships that will last a lifetime,” he said.

Col. Jake Bledsoe, commander of the 4960th Multifunction Training Brigade, 9th Mission Support Command, thanked the PNGDF for its hospitality and pointed to the long history binding the two countries. “The relationship between the United States and Papua New Guinea is not new,” Bledsoe said. “It was forged through shared sacrifice in the Second World War and has continued to grow through decades of cooperation, trust and mutual respect.”

Framing the renovation as a joint endeavor, Bledsoe highlighted the cooperative approach. “This is not an American project in Papua New Guinea,” he said. “This is a project completed together by the Papua New Guinea Defence Force and the United States Army.” He also emphasized the long-term value of the effort, noting that the classroom upgrades will serve military families and future generations well beyond the exercise.

After the ceremony, Bledsoe joined PNGDF leaders to tour the worksite, where engineers from both forces have begun gutting existing classrooms and preparing them for modernization. The visit showcased the combined labor underpinning the renovation and the shared goal of improving the educational environment for the Igam Barracks community.

Exercise Tamiok Strike 26 runs July 7–18 as a U.S. Army Pacific-led bilateral exercise with the PNGDF aimed at strengthening interoperability, enhancing readiness and reinforcing enduring ties through realistic, collaborative training. Activities include engineering, medical, staff planning and field training designed to improve readiness while deepening military-to-military relationships across the Indo-Pacific.