US embassy announces exercise Tamiok Strike 2026

IMAGE 1: U.S. Army Soldiers from the 844th Engineer Battalion and Papua New Guinea Defense Forces during Exercise Tamiok Strike 26 at Igam Barracks, Lae, Papua New Guinea, July 7, 2026. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Mason Tran. 

THE United States Army Pacific and the Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) will conduct Exercise Tamiok Strike 2026 from July 13-24, 2026, at locations including Port Moresby, Wewak, and Lae. This sixth iteration of the bilateral exercise brings together approximately 175 participants to strengthen military-to-military relations and advance regional security. 

Exercise Tamiok Strike 2026 focuses on enhancing interoperability, readiness, and partnership between the United States and Papua New Guinea. Training activities will include scenario-based staff exercises supporting PNGDF’s 2027 election security and logistics, bilateral field training in maneuver and military police stability operations, engineer civic action projects, health engagements, and religious leader exchanges. 

The exercise is supported by the Wisconsin Army National Guard’s State Partnership Programme, which has fostered enduring ties between the United States and Papua New Guinea since 2021. Participating U.S. units include the 413th Combat Sustainment Battalion, 500th Military Intelligence Brigade, Wisconsin Army National Guard’s 32nd Infantry Brigade, 854th Engineer Battalion, 1984 Field Hospital, and the 9th Mission Support Command Chaplain Detachment, among others. 

Exercise Tamiok Strike demonstrates the shared commitment of the United States and Papua New Guinea to regional stability, mutual trust, and the ability to respond collaboratively to humanitarian and disaster-related events. The programme also includes cultural awareness activities and opportunities for community engagement. 

Media are invited to attend the opening ceremony on July 13 and the closing ceremony on July 24. For more information or to arrange coverage, please contact the U.S. Embassy Public Diplomacy Office at BruneRA@state.gov.