PNG Defence Force Officer Participates in United States Naval Staff College Training

January 29, 2010

U.S. Ambassador Teddy B. Taylor, former PNG Defense Commander, Commodore Peter Ilau and Lieutenant Commander Alexon Hannema participant of the U.S. Naval Command and Staff College

Port Moresby: Lieutenant Commander (LCDR) Alexon Hannema departed for the United States early this month to study at the US Naval Command & Staff College on Rhode Island. The course is designed to prepare Middle Management Officers with management skills for senior command and control responsibilities and appointments both at the administrative and operational levels within the Defence organization.

US Ambassador Teddy Taylor when congratulating LCDR Hannema said “participation in the five-months training is an indication of the United States’ continued engagement with the Pacific in the field of military training and the development of future leaders in the PNG Defense Force. We will continue to support Pacific Islanders in this way, so they are able to contribute positively to their countries upon completion of their studies.”

LDCR Hannema is Acting Director Technical Services, PNG Defence Force based at Murray Barracks. He holds a Bachelor of Engineering - Electrical from the University of Technology in Lae, Morobe Province.

Each year, approximately 600 outstanding mid-career level officers of the Navy, all other U.S. services, civilian federal agencies and international naval officers come to the U.S. Naval War College as resident students to pursue a rigorous course of postgraduate studies. Over half the graduates of the college's senior international course, the Naval Command College, have gone on to become flag or general officers, and more than 190 have been chosen to head their respective services.

The Naval War College's Professional Military Education curriculum focuses on three core areas: Strategy and Policy, National Security Decision Making and Joint Military Operations.

Visit http://www.usnwc.edu/ for additional information about the US Naval Command & Staff College.