An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
Official websites use .mil
A
.mil
website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
Secure .mil websites use HTTPS
A
lock (
lock
)
or
https://
means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.
Skip to main content (Press Enter).
HOME
LEADERSHIP
Commander
Deputy Commander
Chief of Staff
Senior Enlisted Leader
Leadership
ABOUT USINDOPACOM
History
USINDOPACOM Area of Responsibility map
Organization Chart
USINDOPACOM Previous Commanders
Counter-Lawfare: Tactical Aids & Legal Vigilance Products
Indo-Pacific Health Security Alliance - IPhsa
Women, Peace and Security
About USINDOPACOM
MEDIA
NEWS
Press Releases and Readouts
Photos
Speeches / Testimony
Freedom of Information Act
FOIA - Reading Room
Submit FOIA Request
Request Status
FOIA FAQS
Media
RESOURCES
Newcomers
Wellness Resources
Travel Requirements
Useful Theater Information
ATFP FAQs
Quality of Life
Useful Links
Resources
CONTACT
Directory
Media Inquiries
Industry Engagements
Contact
JTF-MICRONESIA
JTF-Micronesia Contact
JTF-Micronesia Leadership
JTF-Micronesia - news
JTF-Micronesia
JTF - RED HILL
Search
Home
Media
NEWS
Home
Media
NEWS
HOME
LEADERSHIP
Commander
Deputy Commander
Chief of Staff
Senior Enlisted Leader
ABOUT USINDOPACOM
History
USINDOPACOM Area of Responsibility map
Organization Chart
USINDOPACOM Previous Commanders
Counter-Lawfare: Tactical Aids & Legal Vigilance Products
Indo-Pacific Health Security Alliance - IPhsa
Women, Peace and Security
MEDIA
NEWS
Press Releases and Readouts
Photos
Speeches / Testimony
Freedom of Information Act
FOIA - Reading Room
Submit FOIA Request
Request Status
FOIA FAQS
RESOURCES
Newcomers
Wellness Resources
Travel Requirements
Useful Theater Information
ATFP FAQs
Quality of Life
Useful Links
CONTACT
Directory
Media Inquiries
Industry Engagements
JTF-MICRONESIA
JTF-Micronesia Contact
JTF-Micronesia Leadership
JTF-Micronesia - news
JTF - RED HILL
ROKAF Black Eagles soar over Camp Humphreys
ROKAF Black Eagles soar over Camp Humphreys
See More
Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni Change of Command Ceremony
Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni Change of Command Ceremony
See More
USS America (LHA 6) Conducts Flight Operation
USS America (LHA 6) Conducts Flight Operation
See More
Cope Angel 2025: U.S and Japan sharpen search and rescue skills
Cope Angel 2025: U.S and Japan sharpen search and rescue skills
See More
31st MEU | Boat Company Conducts Ship-to-Shore Movement
31st MEU | Boat Company Conducts Ship-to-Shore Movement
See More
VMFA-242 aircraft conduct flyover of USS America in Coral Sea
VMFA-242 aircraft conduct flyover of USS America in Coral Sea
See More
USS San Diego conducts flight ops in Coral Sea
USS San Diego conducts flight ops in Coral Sea
See More
3/12 Executes a HIMARS Dry-Fire Training at Camp Fuji
3/12 Executes a HIMARS Dry-Fire Training at Camp Fuji
See More
Mine Matters
Mine Matters
See More
USS George Washington conducts flight ops in Philippine Sea
USS George Washington conducts flight ops in Philippine Sea
See More
USS America (LHA 6) Conducts Flight Operation
USS America (LHA 6) Conducts Flight Operation
See More
USS John Finn departs Yokosuka
USS John Finn departs Yokosuka
See More
Salaknib 25 | Operation Maneuver
Salaknib 25 | Operation Maneuver
See More
USS George Washington conducts flight operations in Philippine Sea
USS George Washington conducts flight operations in Philippine Sea
See More
U.S. 7TH FLEET AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY
U.S. 7TH FLEET AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY
See More
31st MEU | Live-fire deck shoot aboard USS San Diego
31st MEU | Live-fire deck shoot aboard USS San Diego
See More
George Washington Conducts Helicopter Operations
George Washington Conducts Helicopter Operations
See More
Khaan Quest kicks off with an opening ceremony
Khaan Quest kicks off with an opening ceremony
See More
USS Annapolis (SSN 760) returns to Naval Base Guam
USS Annapolis (SSN 760) returns to Naval Base Guam
See More
USS George Washington conducts flight ops in Philippine Sea
USS George Washington conducts flight ops in Philippine Sea
See More
Nimitz Conducts Flight Operations
Nimitz Conducts Flight Operations
See More
31st MEU | F-35B Lightning IIs conduct rapid flight operations
31st MEU | F-35B Lightning IIs conduct rapid flight operations
See More
Sailors man the rails aboard amphibious assault carrier USS Tripoli (LHA 7), as the ship pulls into Pearl Harbor
Sailors man the rails aboard amphibious assault carrier USS Tripoli (LHA 7), as the ship pulls into Pearl Harbor
See More
Travis AFB sends KC-46 across the Pacific to train with Misawa F-16s
Travis AFB sends KC-46 across the Pacific to train with Misawa F-16s
See More
KAMANDAG 9: MRF-D 25.3 and PMC conduct a counter-landing live-fire defense
KAMANDAG 9: MRF-D 25.3 and PMC conduct a counter-landing live-fire defense
See More
Coast Guard Cutter Harriet Lane Performs joint flight operations with French Navy off the coast of Tahiti
Coast Guard Cutter Harriet Lane Performs joint flight operations with French Navy off the coast of Tahiti
See More
506th EARS Refuel A-10s across the Pacific
506th EARS Refuel A-10s across the Pacific
See More
Salaknib 25 | Final Assault
Salaknib 25 | Final Assault
See More
QUART: HMLA-369 Conducts Deck Landing Qualifications Aboard USS Harpers Ferry
QUART: HMLA-369 Conducts Deck Landing Qualifications Aboard USS Harpers Ferry
See More
MRF-D 25.3: 2nd Bn., 1st Marines, conduct raid with VMM-363 during Southern Jackaroo
MRF-D 25.3: 2nd Bn., 1st Marines, conduct raid with VMM-363 during Southern Jackaroo
See More
QUART: CH53s Conduct Deck Landing Qualifications Aboard USS Harpers Ferry
QUART: CH53s Conduct Deck Landing Qualifications Aboard USS Harpers Ferry
See More
31st MEU | F-35B night flight operations
31st MEU | F-35B night flight operations
See More
MRF-D 25.3: 2nd Bn., 1st Marines, VMM-363 conduct air assault rehearsals during Predator’s Walk
MRF-D 25.3: 2nd Bn., 1st Marines, VMM-363 conduct air assault rehearsals during Predator’s Walk
See More
Conducts Vertical Replenishment Training
Conducts Vertical Replenishment Training
See More
Activated Reserve Marines Conduct Live Fire MOUT during Korea Viper 25.4
Activated Reserve Marines Conduct Live Fire MOUT during Korea Viper 25.4
See More
PACAF F-16 Demo Team conducts final flight after 30 years of enhancing U.S. relations worldwide
PACAF F-16 Demo Team conducts final flight after 30 years of enhancing U.S. relations worldwide
See More
KAMANDAG 9: VMM-364 Inserts Marines into Basco Island, Philippines
KAMANDAG 9: VMM-364 Inserts Marines into Basco Island, Philippines
See More
Operational Test Launch GT 253 is a 'Glory Trip' for wing
Operational Test Launch GT 253 is a 'Glory Trip' for wing
See More
Nimitz Conducts Flight Operations
Nimitz Conducts Flight Operations
See More
Governor's Memorial Day Ceremony
Governor's Memorial Day Ceremony
See More
KAMANDAG 9: 3d LCT conducts high explosive battle drills
KAMANDAG 9: 3d LCT conducts high explosive battle drills
See More
Activated Reserve Marines Conduct CBRN Response Training with U.S. Army during Korea Viper 25.4
Activated Reserve Marines Conduct CBRN Response Training with U.S. Army during Korea Viper 25.4
See More
USS America (LHA 6) Conducts Flight Operations
USS America (LHA 6) Conducts Flight Operations
See More
Nimitz Conducts Flight Operations
Nimitz Conducts Flight Operations
See More
Four Chaplains: Norwegian Foot March
Four Chaplains: Norwegian Foot March
See More
U.S., Japan display interoperability during Friendship Jump 2025
U.S., Japan display interoperability during Friendship Jump 2025
See More
FF25: Blaze of Friendship
FF25: Blaze of Friendship
See More
Blue Ridge Arrives in Wellington, New Zealand for the First Time
Blue Ridge Arrives in Wellington, New Zealand for the First Time
See More
Activated Reserve Marines Conduct MOUT Training during Korea Viper 25.4
Activated Reserve Marines Conduct MOUT Training during Korea Viper 25.4
See More
U.S. Marines Execute Casualty Evacuation Training during Jungle Leaders Course
U.S. Marines Execute Casualty Evacuation Training during Jungle Leaders Course
See More
31st MEU Boat Company conducts Small Boat Skills during MEUEX
31st MEU Boat Company conducts Small Boat Skills during MEUEX
See More
F-35B Lightning IIs fly over Wake Island
F-35B Lightning IIs fly over Wake Island
See More
USS Minnesota (SSN 783) returns to Naval Base Guam
USS Minnesota (SSN 783) returns to Naval Base Guam
See More
EOD members conduct fast-rope ops onto USS Nimitz in South China Sea
EOD members conduct fast-rope ops onto USS Nimitz in South China Sea
See More
Balikatan 25: 3d LCT and 25th ID Conduct Counter Landing Live Fire Event with AFP
Balikatan 25: 3d LCT and 25th ID Conduct Counter Landing Live Fire Event with AFP
See More
Respect the Past, Forge the Future: Air Power Days Returns to Osan
Respect the Past, Forge the Future: Air Power Days Returns to Osan
See More
31st MEU conducts quick response force rehearsal for MEUEX
31st MEU conducts quick response force rehearsal for MEUEX
See More
Nimitz Sailors Conduct a Refueling-at-Sea
Nimitz Sailors Conduct a Refueling-at-Sea
See More
BTF 25-2: Seventh Mission Operations
BTF 25-2: Seventh Mission Operations
See More
Balikatan 25: Counter Landing Live Fire Exercise
Balikatan 25: Counter Landing Live Fire Exercise
See More
PACOM Stories
Wisconsin National Guard Lays Foundation for Partnership with Papua New Guinea
19 May 2021
From Maj. Joe Trovato
Download
MADISON, Wis. -- One Wisconsin Army National Guard officer has spent the better part of the last year laying the foundation for the Wisconsin National Guard’s new state partnership with Papua New Guinea.
Capt. Chris Meza, who previously served as the commander of Battery B, 1st Battalion, 120th Field Artillery, mobilized on a special assignment to United States Indo-Pacific Command. For nearly six months, he lived in Papua New Guinea building relationships and helping establish a new partnership amid a global pandemic that has limited the ability to conduct traditional in-person exchanges.
But the pandemic didn’t stop the partnership from moving forward. While some of the initial exchanges between Wisconsin and the Papua New Guinea Defense Force have been virtual instead, Meza was hard at work on the ground in Papua New Guinea from October through March.
In that time, Meza formed half of a two-person team from U.S. Indo-Pacific Command’s Task Force Oceania – known as a Pacific Augmentation Team – established invaluable relationships and integrated directly into Papua New Guinea’s culture. His partner was Cpl. Louie Kaman, a native of Papua New Guinea who is now a member of the U.S. Army and served as the team’s cultural liaison officer.
One of the highlights, according to Meza, was driving the Highlands Highway from Lae to Minj. He fully integrated into the village, enjoyed a traditional gathering and a meal known as the “mumu,” in which the community comes together to harvest a pig and cook it in banana leaves with hot rocks. Meza helped prepare the meal and demonstrated some of his American techniques for cooking a pig.
“Dispatching a pig is a rite of passage among the people, and I was put to the test,” Meza wrote in a report about his experiences. “We prepared and cooked one pig in the traditional fashion and the other was prepared in an American fashion. I had the privilege of harvesting, processing, cooking, and serving a pig to members of the tribe and family in a way I am familiar with. I am happy to report it was a big hit.”
It was also in Minj where he participated in tribal conflict resolution and witnessed the resolution of a dispute between two clans. Meza and his team worked with three clans to explain his team’s role and goals.
Meza was also invited to the Papua New Guinea Defense Force’s family day. He spent the day on an island building new relationships and immersing himself in the nation’s rich culture and heritage.
In addition, he assisted in multilateral planning and helped set the stage for future activities and exchanges between the Australian Defense Force, Papua New Guinea Defense Force, and U.S. forces. He fished with locals, an activity many Papua New Guineans rely on for sustenance or income. Overfishing is a major concern in Papua New Guinea. It represents one of the many areas in which the U.S. hopes to assist Papua New Guinea to help protect its natural resources.
“There’s plenty to do in (Papua New Guinea) if you’re looking for it,” Meza wrote in one of his reports. “We have purchased fresh produce in local markets, visited historical sites, and spent time with the (Australian Defense Force) and (Papua New Guinea Defense Force) away from the office.
“One of the most rewarding experiences we’ve had so far is a soccer match on Ela beach,” he wrote. “This event was put on by some of our friends in the (Australian Defense Force). They had been challenged by some of the local staff, who happened to be all female, to a short match. Later, we were told this was the first time any visitors had taken the time to engage socially with the locals.”
The Wisconsin National Guard learned in early 2020 that it had been selected to begin a new state partnership with Papua New Guinea as part of the National Guard State Partnership Program. The announcement came at the same time as the COVID-19 pandemic, which limited traditional partnership exchanges, delegation visits and other events.
And while the Wisconsin National Guard looks forward to formally marking the beginning of this partnership and engaging in face-to-face interaction, the two partners have engaged virtually on several topics, in addition to Meza’s time on the ground in Papua New Guinea.
As the world emerges from the pandemic, those exchanges will increase. However, Meza’s tour concludes this spring and he returns to Wisconsin.
“This partnership is a small piece of a larger puzzle that builds the stage for a free and open Pacific,” Meza said. “As a partner, the Wisconsin National Guard gets to play a direct role in aiding INDOPACOM's strategic objectives.
“With this partnership the Wisconsin National Guard will have the opportunity to learn and grow in a place that holds significant history and lineage to the state and its military,” he added.
During World War II, nearly the entire Wisconsin National Guard deployed to New Guinea to fight the Japanese in brutal campaigns.
The now-famous 32nd “Red Arrow” Division suffered thousands of casualties fighting through New Guinea and the Philippines, where it spent 654 days in combat – more than any other division in the war. It fought several campaigns in New Guinea, including the particularly bloody campaign to take Buna. Three Wisconsin National Guard Soldiers earned the Medal of Honor posthumously for their actions in New Guinea.
That history and lineage is not forgotten in either Wisconsin or Papua New Guinea, and Meza expects the budding partnership to be mutually beneficial.
Wisconsin, he said, will benefit from the Papua New Guinea Defense Force’s ability to adapt and improvise to accomplish any mission.
“The most rewarding part of the experience was reaching a point where the Papua New Guinea Defense Force leadership would actively seek our help,” he said. “Help ranged from providing information and advice to setting up meetings with partners in the U.S. Most were small, but the fact they sought us out spoke volumes to how we were doing.”
News Archive
2025 (422)
2024 (956)
2023 (805)
2022 (1167)
2021 (1044)
2020 (1072)
2019 (1152)
2018 (1102)
2017 (1338)
2016 (1447)
2015 (1383)
2014 (892)
2013 (32)
2012 (4)
Guidance-Card-Icon
Dept-Exclusive-Card-Icon