Papua New Guinea – The U.S. Army and the Papua New Guinea Defense Force concluded a three-week joint military exercise, Tamiok Strike, which began March 21 and ended April 1, 2022.
The exercise built on last year’s iteration of Tamiok Strike and strengthened the bonds of friendship between the U.S. Army and the Papua New Guinea Defense Force forged in WWII. The exercise enhanced combined interoperability capabilities through training, skills sharing, and cultural exchanges. The U.S. Army shared their experiences for basic security operations and medical training, while the PNGDF shared their expertise on jungle operations.
Tamiok Strike was held for the first-time in August 2021. This year’s iteration of Tamiok Strike was held at Goldie River Training Depot in Port Moresby, Moem Barracks in Wewak, and Igam Barracks, Lae, and involved the 1st and 2nd Royal Pacific Island Regiments from the Papua New Guinea Defense Force, and the 130th Engineer Brigade, 8th Theatre Sustainment Command, and the 10th Support Group from the U.S. Army.
The exercise will focused on medical training, jungle survival, and strengthening security operations.
This exercise builds on the growing relationship between the U.S. military and the Papua New Guinea Defense Force. In addition to last year’s Tamiok Strike, the United States hosted senior leaders from the PNGDF in Hawaii and in Wisconsin and will continue exchanges for years to come.

U.S. Army Soldiers from the 130th Engineer Brigade trains the Papua New Guinea Defense Forces in Wewak, Papua New Guinea during Tamiok Strike 22, March 25. The PNGDF trained on Tactical Combat Casualty Care and reacting to contact. Tamiok Strike reinforces U.S. commitments to our Oceania Treaty allies, and other regional partners, training for an ever-increasing complexity in the 21st century, reinforcing joint readiness, and the interoperability to fight and win together.

U.S. Army Soldiers from the 130th Engineer Brigade trains the Papua New Guinea Defense Forces in Wewak, Papua New Guinea during Tamiok Strike 22, March 25. The PNGDF trained on Tactical Combat Casualty Care and reacting to contact. Tamiok Strike reinforces U.S. commitments to our Oceania Treaty allies, and other regional partners, training for an ever-increasing complexity in the 21st century, reinforcing joint readiness, and the interoperability to fight and win together.