Australian Army parachuted into Papua New Guinea, Nadzab 80th anniversary

A famous WWII parachute drop into PNG by Aussie troops has been recreated by serving soldiers, 80 years on. Watch the wild footage

Australian Army personnel parachuted into Papua New Guinea (PNG) to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the World War 2 Nadzab Landings.

On September 5, 1943, an Allied operation helped establish a major air base during the New Guinea Campaign during World War 2.

The air base at Nadzab would go on to become an important regional airport for PNG.

During the anniversary commemoration, 15 members of Army’s 2nd Commando Regiment jumped from both RAAF and United States Air Force C-17A Globemaster III aircraft descending to Nadzab Tomodachi Airport.

The Globemasters also air-dropped cargo containing donated sports equipment from the ADF Sports Council for local communities.

Papua New Guinea Defence Minister, the Hon Win Bakri Daki MP, talks to a Royal Australian Air Force aviator at an event to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the 1943 Nadzab Landings.

Corporal Kristanto Sandjaja, a C-17A Loadmaster with RAAF 36 Squadron, said the landings in 1943 showed the importance of air mobility to reach remote places.

“And 80 years on we continue to work alongside America and Papua New Guinea to deliver wherever help is needed,” Corporal Sandjaja said.

An Australian Army soldier from the Australian Defence Force Parachuting School prepares to land at Nadzab, Papua New Guinea, after conducting a military free-fall parachute jump to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Nadzab airborne assault in World War II.

“I’m really proud to be involved with this, it’s great training for us and the airdrop includes donated sporting equipment, which will get distributed to the community.”

Following the airdrop, the RAAF C-17A crew landed at Nadzab Tomodachi Airport and hosted an aircraft tour for PNG Government members and PNG Defence Force (PNGDF) personnel.

As part of Australia and PNG’s defence cooperation, PNGDF personnel were integrated within the parachute demonstration.

Colonel Travis Gordon, the Australian Defence Adviser to Papua New Guinea, said the co-operation built on the longstanding defence partnership and enhanced the ADF’s ability to support the PNGDF on future peacekeeping and humanitarian and disaster response operations.

Originally published as Australian Army parachuted into Papua New Guinea, Nadzab 80th anniversary