| OPERATION PLES DRAI |
| THE PNG AND AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE FORCES WORKING TOGETHER FOR THE PEOPLE OF PNG DURING THE 1997 – 1998 DROUGHT |
| KEY PERSONNEL |
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| Lieutenant Colonel John Navi Commander PNGDF Drought Relief Operation Commander (elect) PNGDF-ADF Combined Task Force Headquarters |
| Lieutenant Colonel John Navi commands the PNGDF drought relief effort. He will be the Commander of the PNGDF-ADF Combined Task Force Headquarters once formed. He commenced his career as an infantry officer, and also has experience in the supply and maritime areas. |
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| Lieutenant Colonel Norman Cognet Commander Joint (Australian) Task Force 105 Deputy Commander (elect) PNGDF-ADF Combined Task Force Headquarters |
| Lieutenant Colonel Cognet commands all Australian Defence Force personnel and equipment deployed to Papua New Guinea for drought relief operations. In addition, he will be the Deputy Commander of the PNGDF-ADF Combined Task Force Headquarters once formed. His military experience has been predominately in the Armoured Corps, although he has also been an Army pilot. |
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| Wing Commander Chris Richards Officer Commanding 97 Wing Air Component Commander |
| As the Air Component Commander, Wing Commander Chris Richards is responsible for the conduct of drought relief air operations in PNG. He has extensive experience operating transport aircraft, and has also flown fighter aircraft. |