User talk:Megzdolz

HIS EXCELLENCY (Rtd), COMMODORE, PETER ILAU, DMS, CBE
Commodore Peter Ilau was born in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea on the 30th November 1959. He was raised in a military family.

Commodore Ilau did all his primary and high school education in Papua New Guinea. He joined the PNG Defence Force at the age of 17. He matriculated in the Military academy. He is a post-graduate scholar of the University of Wollongong with a Master of Quality Management. He also holds a Graduate Diploma of Business Administration from the Southern Cross University of Australia. In his 34 years of service, Commodore Ilau as a seaman officer served in minor war vessels, and as a professional Naval officer later commanded Her Majesty’s PNG Ships Lae and Dreger. In the latter part of his seagoing career became the Commander of the PNG Patrol Boat Squadron, also commanded the Patrol Boat base. He has had combat experience from the 1980 Vanuatu campaign, and 1989 to 1997 Bougainville Insurgency operation. In his staff appointments as a Defence Force Officer, he started as a Staff Officer Grade 2 Maritime Planning, then as, Director Maritime Operations, Chief of Operations, and Chief of Staff of the PNG Defence Force. In 2003, as Chief of Defence Force, assisted with contribution of troops to the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands. Commodore Ilau was the Chief of Defence Force for Papua New Guinea, serving the longest term on record of nine (9) years. He retired from the military in January 2010.

In 29th July 2010, Commodore Peter Ilau, was appointed by the National Government of Papua New Guinea as the Ambassador to Indonesia, with accreditations to Vietnam and Timor Leste. Prior to his first diplomatic post, he was engaged as a Private Consultant. Commodore Ilau is married to Madam Sonia Cecelia Ilau, with four (3) children.

His favourite hobby is music, mainly playing a guitar, and enjoys golf.

Commodore Peter Ilau carries the following decorations: 1. Commander of the British Empire (CBE); 2. Distinguished Military Service Medal (DMS),3. The Vanuatu Campaign Medal;4. PNG 10th Anniversary medal; 5. The Community Service Medal; 6.The PNGDF 50th Anniversary medal; 7.St. John Ambulance Service Medal.

Key Results: • Three(3) major rescue operations involving a missing Vanuatu canoe 1980, Grounded U.S Yacht MV Ketchup 1981, and Rescue Operations in 1994 Rabaul Volcano, and Aitape Tsunami in 1998. • Combat experience in PNGDF response to Vanuatu, Santo Island rebellion in 1980. Special Boat Operations in Bougainville Crisis, between 1990 and 1994. Later as Commander PNG Patrol Boat Squadron Commander from 1995 to 1998. As Maritime Planning and Project Officer created the Small Boat Team for Special Boat Operations in Bougainville. • Author of 2 years PNGDF Maritime Officer Cadet Syllabus to graduate Cadet Midshipmen. Author of PNGDF Junior Maritime Officers Tactics Syllabus. • Commanding Officer taking delivery of newly commissioned Patrol Boat from Fremantle Western Australia, 1987. • Management Trouble shooter in Lombrum Naval Base (HMPNGS Tarangau) during breakdown of Command and Control of the major Naval Base in PNG. Succeeded in restoring normal command and management of the base. As a result was given full command of the Base 2 years later in December 1995. MILITARY STAFF OFFICER – PORT MORESBY, NCD Maritime Planning and Defence Capabilities Project Officer

Key Results 1989 to 2001 • A breakthrough in major capabilities to strengthen Combat Forces in Bougainville with acquisition of modern man-pack HF Tactical Radios, Special Armour Vehicles, Combat Support Boats, M16A2 Small arms weapon system, Nova and Nite Kite Vision, and many more. A one- time improvement, but a timely one at that time. • Chief of Operations PNGDF in 1990, successful major event as Senior Military Officer In-charge of the National Y2K Contingency in PNG. Successful nation-wide awareness and successful transition into the new millennium. • Chief of Staff PNGDF 2001 succeeded in containing a low morale, and a poorly disciplined Defence Force. As a result was appointed by Government of PNG as Commander of the Papua New Guinea Defence Force (Chief of Defence Force). Spear-headed major transformation program which included the successful retrenchment of 1,365 servicemen and successfully repatriated with their families. A feat never achieved before in the PNG government public service. A AUD$40 million retrenchment exercise funded by Australian government after a successful funding proposal. A further AUD$42 million for the next 10 years was granted through the same confidence. • As Commander PNGDF successfully quelled a major troop’s mutiny in Moem Barracks in Wewak. Rebel troops totally outsmarted with no shot fired. Successful conviction of 27 rebel troops to prison sentences ranging from 9 months to 20 years. Recovered most of the stolen weapons and ammunition. Restored confidence of the general and business community in Wewak. • Part of the successful RAMSI Operations in Solomon Island with the first troops (PNGDF Kumul Force) in 2003 and still continuing to help restore economic governance. • Second longest serving member of the Asia-Pacific Chiefs of Defence annual Conference. Wider recognition of the PNGDF from this forum which resulted in invitation to ARF sponsored Humanitarian Assistance exercise in Philippines. • Also, a long-time member of the Western Pacific Naval Symposium and the Sea Power Conference in Australia and U.S. Increased involvement of the PNGDF Maritime Element in International Naval Activities. • Management skills showed the setup of a Defence Studies University Centre through a Strategic Partnership with the University of Papua New Guinea and the Training Command of the PNGDF to upsize military officers and senior non-commissioned officers with higher academic disciplines. • Increased quota of overseas based training for the PNGDF was also a new confidence outcome from the extended international involvement of the CDF PNG CIVIL-MILITARY AFFAIRS Advising Civilian Authorities • In 1989 Aide de Camp to Governor General (GG) late Sir Kingsford Dibela, and soon after late GG Sir Ignatius Kilage. Promoted to rank of Lieutenant Commander on completion of tour of duty. • In 1991 Equerry to HRH Prince Andrew for 12 days during the PNG Hosted 12th South Pacific Games. Received a Community Service Medal as a result. In 2002 awarded Commander of the British Empire by HRH. • As Commanding Officer of the Lombrum Naval Base, appointed also by Manus Provincial Government as deputy chairman of their patent event World Sea-Kayaking Tournament in 1998; A successful, low budget event attended by 16 nations. • Civil-military operations as the CDF PNG oversee Security of National Elections 2002 and 2007. Both had successful outcomes. The overall security of 2002 National Elections was a far more improved national activity than 1997. 2007 was also far more improved compared to 2002. • Deploy troops to southern Highlands, PNG’s Oil/ Gas rich province, and also holds 1/10 of PNG’s National Population to restore normalcy and ensure good governance and enforce law and order, and justice is restored as well. A successful operation. Southern Highlands now embracing themselves for the new developments and wealth increase through the Oil/ Gas driven economic boom. • Deploy troops to Simbu Province to maintain law and order and assist in restoration and reconstruction from the damages caused by the major landslide. A successful 60 days operation. • Deploy troops into an Oro Province hit be a combination of Cyclone Guba, and a freak inland flood which caused widespread damage throughout the most populated areas of the province. A successful operation which attracted additional assistance from the U.S Army and Navy civil engineers. • Deploy troops to Morobe Province to respond to district communities badly hit by Cholera and Dysentery. A combined PNGDF and the National Health Department supported by the Provincial and District level health agencies responded with maximum effect. The operation was successful. Their goals and objectives set were achieved. • From an original K1 million Memorandum of Agreement with the National Fisheries Authority (NFA), in 2001, to K3 million MOA in 2009. Funds used to deploy naval assets intervention in Fishery Patrols and surveillance throughout the 200 mile EEZ of Papua New Guinea. • In 2005 Awarded Distinguished Military Service Medal through the Papua New Guineas Logohu Award System. An award presented by HRH Princess Anne. • 2005 Military Intervention to National Agriculture. Operation Green Revolution a proposal by CDF PNG supported by National Planning Department to provide transport to rural farmers to reach their markets. Very successful with Coffee and fresh vegetables.

https://www.facebook.com/commodoreilau