In Command

Lieutenant Karry Frank, 28, has been pro moted lieutenant - commander, the first New Guinean Defence Force officer of the maritime element to attain the rank.

Lieutenant-Commander Frank will retain command of HMAS Ladava, the first fully New Guinean-crewed patrol boat. LCdr Frank, from Rogea Island, Samarai, Milne Bay District, joined the service in 1965 as a sailor, training as a radio operator.

Captain K. Konrote, Flight Captain Tarawa and responsible for the operation of GEIC air services. He's the first UK scholarship trained pilot to obtain his senior com mercial pilot licence and to qualify for command duties with Air Pacific.

Photo: Gordon Shearer.