Army medic relishes first deployment
In the tropical terrain of East New Britain, Australian Defence Force personnel are working with international partners to help make former conflict zones safe again.
CAPTION: Australian Army Private Kamarga Rogers, from 3rd Close Health Battalion, discusses medical techniques with Lieutenant Susami Shiori of the Japan Self-Defense Force during Operation Render Safe. Story by Captain Katy Manning. Photos by Petty Officer Bradley Darvill.
Raised in Queensland and now posted to the 3rd Health Battalion in Adelaide, medic Private Kamarga Rogers is one of them.
“This is my first deployment, and already it’s shown me how much is possible in this job,” Private Rogers said.
He is supporting Operation Render Safe – an Australian-led mission to locate and dispose of unexploded ordnance from World War 2.
While the technical teams focus on locating unexploded ordnance, ADF medical staff like Private Rogers provide vital health support to personnel working in remote areas.
“We’ve been working closely with the Japanese Self-Defense Force medical staff – they’re easy to work with and really professional,” he said.
“They approach things a bit differently, so you pick up new ways of doing things.”
The Japanese medical staff are embedded within ADF health teams, working side-by-side to provide care and support to soldiers operating in the field.
Private Rogers said the experience had given him a deeper understanding of Defence cooperation and the purpose of the mission.
“To me, essentially it means that all the partner forces and foreign nations all get together to work towards a common goal,” he said.
“That goal is helping make Papua New Guinea a safer place for the local people.”
He completed Army medic training late last year and said deploying so early in his career was a rewarding experience.
“It definitely is one of the best opportunities somebody like myself – who is so junior – could be given,” he said.
“And the team that I’ve come with – they are genuinely awesome people.”
Private Rogers said he was proud to represent his unit and take part in a mission that helps others.
“The opportunity to do operations like Render Safe has taken me to places I never thought I’d go,” he said.
“It’s been a great start to my Army career.”
CAPTION: Private Kamarga Rogers is deployed on Operation Render Safe in Kokopo, East New Britain Province, Papua New Guinea.
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