Defense Sec. Austin announces US plans to expand military operations with Papua New Guinea

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin met with Papua New Guinea defense leaders Wednesday to discuss the development of military cooperation between the two countries. “We’re expanding U.S. participation in several exercises with the PNG defense force,” Sec. Austin said during a joint press conference with Prime Minister James Marape in Port Moresby. “We’ve also completed an important shiprider agreement that will mean greater cooperation on maritime law enforcement.”