Kia Kaha Kia maia Kia manawanui - Be strong Be Brave Be steadfast www.army.mil.nz issue498 | nov/Dec 2018 - NZ Army
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Kia kaha kia maia kia manawanui Be strong · Be brave · Be steadfast www.army.mil.nz Issue498 | Nov/Dec 2018
sma.net
Nov/Dec 2018 By Warrant Officer Class One Clive Douglas
As we near year end, it is timely to
ISSUE 498 do a stocktake of our private affairs.
Ensuring our private affairs are
Contents in order is linked to being combat
ready. Is my Will up to date, and
NEWS does it reflect my current family
Soldier of the Year 02 circumstances? Am I on track for
Volunteer of the Year 03 saving for my first home and for my
5/7 win shooting comp 03 retirement? Have I got a certificate an exciting new feature which shows members how their savings
for my MIBP Tier 1 insurance and are tracking to provide the funds for a comfortable retirement at
people is it time to buy more insurance for age 65. This is a very useful tool, particularly for those who are
Kiwi firefighters in established in their own home and turning their focus to saving
Sacramento
05 myself or my partner? Do I have for their retirement. Recent Massey University research reflects
adequate insurance cover for my car, that a couple living in either Auckland, Christchurch or Wellington
Farewell MAJGEN Tim Gall 08 will require between $494,000 and $783,000 in savings for a
house or contents? comfortable retirement; those living in other locations will require
Supporting the SAS
16
The Force Financial Hub provides a range of benefits and between $425,000 and $494,000. These figures assume that
MHOV community gathers 30 services, aimed at enhancing the financial security of us as the retiree owns their own home.
NZ Army members and our families, and much of this is either For many of us, these figures are a bit frightening. However,
operations provided for free or at a reduced price. don’t be put off by this. The younger we start saving for our
You and your partner are able to obtain a free Will or to get retirement the better, but it is never too late to start saving, either.
Antarctica 09
an out of date Will updated through the Force Financial Hub. Put your name down for one of the NZDF financial capability
Te Auraki 11 Having an up to date Will is important for all of us. In event of programmes to learn more about how best to accumulate savings;
death it helps ensure that the MIBP insurances and any other life and look at what the NZDF KiwiSaver Scheme is able to offer.
insurances as well as our KiwiSaver funds and other assets are To find out more about any of these offerings, Google the Force
exercises paid out in accordance with our wishes, and in a timely manner. Financial Hub, and share the details with your partner and other
Aeromedical evacuation 12 Without a Will, it may take 12 months or more to get assets paid family members.
Ex Whakatipu 14 out, and they may not go to our intended recipients. SMA Jungle Tip: if you do nothing else, at the end of the year
Each month we are seeing more members using their NZDF please ensure you have an up-to-date Will.
EOD 15 Savings Scheme’s funds to buy their first home, and this incudes As the year ends, AJ and I would like to thank you all for
Sari Bair 31 monthly purchases in the Auckland region. Members have access the continued commitment and sacrifice you make in serving
to a free mortgage broker service provided through the Force New Zealand. To those deployed overseas and those performing
commemorations Financial Hub and they and their partners are able to attend one duties over the Christmas period our thoughts are with you and
The guns fall quiet
21 of the NZDF “financing a home” seminars provided regularly to your families. Look after yourselves, support your families and I
learn more about how to go about buying a house. look forward to working alongside you all in 2019. Rest stand clear.
Armistice in the capital 22 For the 8,600 members of the NZDF Savings Schemes, there is Nga mihi – see you on patrol.
Mono 75th marked 25
Sport
Cycling 33
Soldier of the Year CPL Tom Grant
Triathlon 34 One of the New Zealand Army’s
Invictus 36 outstanding emergency responders,
CPL Tom Grant, has been selected as
Soldier of the Year.
CPL Grant (25) serves in the 2nd Engineer Regiment and is
based at Waiouru Military Camp as a first responder for the Shift
in Charge at 4th Emergency Response Troop.
The Soldier of the Year award citation said CPL Grant
had clearly demonstrated the NZ Army’s values of courage,
commitment, comradeship and integrity throughout the year. This
The Army News is published for the Regular included responding to a motor vehicle accident while off duty
and Territorial Force and civilian staff of the and providing life-saving first aid to an injured civilian – for which
New Zealand Army.
he received a commendation from the Chief of Army.
Editor: Judith Martin
Phone: 021 240 8578
He is a nationally ranked Emergency Responder who competed
Email: armynews@nzdf.mil.nz in New Zealand’s Fire Fighter Combat Challenge contests and
Website: www.army.mil.nz
Printing: Bluestar, Petone.
was selected to compete at the World Fire Fighter Combat
Design: Vanessa Edridge, DPA, NZDF Challenge in Sacramento, USA in October.
Editorial contributions and letters are welcomed.
They may be sent directly to the Army News and do Earlier in the year he was in Northern California fighting fires
not need to be forwarded through normal command with a group from Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ),
channels. Submit them to The Editor, Army News,
DPA, HQ NZDf, first as crew leader and then promoted to Task Force Leader in
Private Bag 39997, Wellington, or by email. charge of six crews. That was his fourth overseas deployment as
Deadline instructions: Army News is published on
the third Tuesday of each month, except January. a fire fighter.
Please have all contributions to the editor by When CPL Grant left Thames High School he was looking for
the first of the month.
Nothing in the Army News should be taken as a challenging career that would be respectable, active and
overriding any New Zealand Defence Force include travel. Both his grandfathers had done compulsory
regulation. Readers should refer to the relevant
service publication before acting on any information military training with the Army and his great grandfather served
given in this newspaper. ISSN 1170-4411
All material is copyright, and permission to
in World War 1.
reproduce must be sought from the editor. He joined the Army in February 2011 and has excelled from
the start, including becoming Top Student in both his Physical The Chief of Army, MAJGEN John Boswell presents the
Training Instructors course and Senior Command and Control Soldier of the Year trophy to CPL Grant.
Firefighting course.
His day job includes equipment checks, training, fitness work at Waiouru.
and responding to civilian 111 callouts in the Waiouru/Desert “We work alongside FENZ who recognise our fire station and
Road area. Those can include car accidents, medical assists, respond us to any 111 calls in the area,” he says. “It’s a big
hazardous substances and scrub fires. turnout area and we can also support the fire stations in Turangi,
He’s also on call as a first responder during military exercises Ohakune, and Taihape.”
NZDF VOLUNTEER
OF YEAR A Message From
GENEROUS WITH chief
TIME AND SKILLS
New Zealand Defence Force of army
Volunteer of the Year Sergeant
Maaka McKinney carries four
pagers – he’s on call 24/7 to
Coastguard Tutukaka, the
Rural Fire Service, St John
Ambulance, and his local fire
brigade in Northland.
Sergeant McKinney is employed fulltime by Fire and
Emergency New Zealand (FENZ), as a trainer conducting
training and development for regional and national
volunteer firefighters.
He is also employed by the NZDF for Reservist
training and serves as a member of the New Zealand
Army’s 3/6 RNZIR, Northland Company, as the
company’s weapons sergeant. He served more than
20 years in the Regular Force.
As a local volunteer, he is a Deputy Rural Fire
Controller for Kaikohe District Rural Fire Force, a SGT Maaka McKinney
member of the district’s long-duration scrub and bushfire
firefighting team, a volunteer ambulance officer with St
John in the Whangarei/Tutukaka area, and an operator “I wanted to motivate others to
for Coastguard Tutukaka. not be scared or embarrassed
That strong commitment to volunteering his time and
skills to benefit his local community has earned him the about having any form of mental
NZDF Volunteer of the Year award for 2018. health issue, to put aside that As we wind up the year and look
Sergeant McKinney also raises awareness and funding
for NZDF personnel and first responders who suffer from
stigma and to take that step to 2019 I encourage you all to do
post-traumatic stress disorder and depression. forward towards healing,” he said. three things.
In May last year he walked and cycled the length of “And so I decided to take a journey, walking and Firstly, you should all look back on your service over the
New Zealand with no support crew, living on the side of cycling through New Zealand with the aim of past 12 months with both considerable satisfaction and
the road, to help raise awareness for mental health. encouraging first responders and NZDF personnel to pride. Kiwis by nature are an unassuming bunch and all
This year he walked from his home in Tutukaka to seek professional help when they need it. too often we don’t give ourselves nearly as much credit
Auckland with his dog Blaze to compete in the Sky Tower “I wanted to promote awareness and normalise the as we should for what we achieve. On operations, during
Challenge, raising money for mental health charities emotions that come with mental health issues – not to training here in New Zealand, and as you went about
along the way. try and hide it, but to talk about it and share it.” your day to day business you all have, time and again,
clearly demonstrated just how capable you are. I take
great pride, and am often humbled, by just how incredibly
Reservist takes shooting honours in Waiouru talented our people are and how professional you all are
in the execution of your respective responsibilities. Can
Lance Corporal Mark Lupi, 5/7 Battalion, RNZIR won Once again 5/7 Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry I ask you all, for a moment, to pause and take stock – if
the prestigious Queen’s Medal Champion Shot from a Regiment took out top honours for the NZASC team you’re honest with yourself 2018 has been an incredibly
field of 132 competitors in the 2018 New Zealand Army trophy and also the Freyberg Trophy with 16th Field impressive year and we got a lot right.
Shooting Competition (NZASC) in Waiouru in November. Regiment, Royal Regiment New Zealand Artillery What is also important however, in reviewing 2018, is
Described by Land Component Commander Brigadier winning the Hardham Trophy. that we should also reflect on those things we could’ve
Jim Bliss as Army’s premier shooting competition the Chief Umpire Major Matt Tucker said a lot of work done better. As soon as we start patting ourselves on the
NZASC is an opportunity for soldiers from any unit to goes on behind the scenes each year to make the back and claiming that “this is as good as it gets’ then
compete against each other to win both individual and competition successful and this year was no different. we’re kidding ourselves and mediocrity will set in. This
team honours. The numbers in this year’s competition “The organising team do this work as well as their day is no more stark a reality than on operations where our
were the largest for some time. jobs and they’ve done an exceptional job, as have the adversary is constantly adapting, and constantly looking
Shooting is a core skill and small arms excellence, scorers, umpires, range control officers and all other to new and innovative ways to defeat us. This then is my
effective application of fire and accurate target support staff over the duration of the competition.” second ask. As you wrap up the year in your units, or in
engagement are critical components of survival in the slow time this summer over a beer, when you’re out for
Army News will have more on the shooting competition
contemporary operational environment. a run, or when the fish aren’t biting, challenge the way
in its February issue.
we do things and give thought to how we can be better,
faster, and achieve greater effect. Only by a process of
honest review will we not only continuously improve as an
Army, but maintain our competitive edge.
Finally, it is really important that you all take the
opportunity to enjoy your Christmas. You can’t keep
performing at the pace you do, to the standards that
you all are, without regularly recharging the batteries. It
doesn’t matter what rank or appointment you hold the
coming leave break is important – to you and to your
families. Make the absolute most of your time off and
look to hit 2019 with the same levels of enthusiasm and
energy that you did in 2018.
In wishing you and your families a great Christmas I
thank you for your continued service, and them for their
continued support. Be left in absolutely no doubt it is
both acknowledged, and valued.
Merry Christmas all
Major General John Boswell
5/7 Top Guns with their support team. Chief of Army
04 armyNEWS
MAXIMISING OUR
WARFIGHTING
CAPABILITIES
By Land Component Commander Brigadier Jim Bliss
In the October issue of the 2. Securing Resources and Opportunities.
New Zealand Army News, our
Some of the resources we need to generate our wide
Chief of Army Major General range of land outputs reside outside of the Land
Boswell provided his vision of a Component either in other components, Services
or, at times, Government departments. We also have
modern, agile, highly adaptive, opportunities to leverage partner military training,
light fighting force. especially capabilities like close air support and high
end collective training where platforms and larger
For those who have been in the Service for a few
formation activities are more readily available overseas.
years, this will resonate well as it harnesses the best
It is the Land Component Command’s responsibility
attributes and characteristics of the NZ soldier and
to chase these opportunities and resources on behalf
how we approach the profession of arms. Our Army
of our Formations and Units. What does this look
has always been a comparatively light force, but has
like? Exercise Lightning Matawai (see p.6) with 25th
punched above its weight by its resilience, adaptability 4. Building Relationships.
(US) ID in Louisiana and Exercise Steel Knight with
and innovation, the calibre of Officers and NCOs,
MARFORPAC in California are good examples for two One of the key responsibilities of the Land Component
and the fighting spirit of its soldiers. For those new
of our combat units training in environments, and with is to remove barriers to success. This includes
to the Service, we are at a unique point in time as
capabilities, that are not readily available at home. championing innovation, hooking up organisational
we “up-gun” our operational capacity and lethality
through both modernisation and integration of our experts with the war-fighters in the unit to progress
weapons, vehicle and communications fleets, and we 3. Owning the Combat Narrative. initiatives and capability integration, growing cross-
introduce and enhance capabilities to meet current and component and cross-military interoperability, and
The Land Component is responsible for the preparation shaping understanding of what the Land Component
future operating environments. As the incoming Land
of Force Elements and individuals for military brings to the fight. We all have our part to play in this,
Component Commander, perhaps the most compelling
operations, and in particular, combat operations. This and leveraging the power of a conversation or face
statement that struck me in CA’s article, however, were
includes training and preparing for potential mission to face engagement. As a visiting U.S. Army General
the last two words – “crack on”.
sets that might appear outside of our stated outputs remarked recently “we don’t want to start making
What does “cracking on” in the Land Component look
and responses. It is to the credit of our individual friends when the shooting starts”.
like? The purpose of the Land Component is to deliver
training system within TRADOC and our collective One of the challenges of our Land Force is how
the land force of today and posture the land force for
training environment at 1 (NZ) Bde that we have the do we grow or enhance our lethality? This is the
tomorrow. To me, that entails four key responsibilities to
agility to adapt to emerging and complex missions question I put to our Formation Leadership Teams
bridge the strategic direction (from Government, NZDF
with relatively little reorientation or extra training. earlier this month, and one I would ask you to
and CA) to the tactical actions and activities to be
Our NCO and Officer promotion courses are prime consider. Recent exercises Sari Bair and Phantom
undertaken by 1st (NZ) Bde and TRADOC (NZ) units at
examples where these skills immediately transfer into Major would suggest that through the combined
home and on operations.
military capability such as the BPC mission in Iraq, arms effect of our combat teams (and the robustness
or Coalition Staff appointments in South Sudan, Iraq, of our combat support and combat service
1. Setting the Land Training Environment. Sinai or Afghanistan. The Land Component is currently support elements training in complex scenarios),
reviewing how we train and prepare for the Integrated development of multi-mission capability forces,
This is about creating the environment to empower
Land Missions set; Joint Land Combat, Capacity operational experience, and safe but challenging
and support tactical commanders to prepare land
Building, Population Protection, and Population Support. training environment, we are making some good
capabilities for operations, whilst holding them
More on this later, but what we are seeking is greater progress. I would offer that even greater interaction
accountable and responsible for outputs, performance
alignment of the Land Tasks and METs with missions, and interoperability with the Special Operations
and stewardship of their units. It also includes
outputs and outcomes, and ultimately more focused Component, enhancing our personal and unit
operationalising (and simplifying where possible) land
individual and collective training; in essence “getting deployability states, and investment in innovation and
outputs for both the Regular and Reserve Forces to
better bang for our buck”. technology on the fringes of our core capabilities, will
prepare to. We intend to do this by the end of the year.
If this sounds like mission command and directive help pull us toward our goal of mastery of operations
control, then, yep, you are bang on. in the land domain. I look forward to catching up and
hearing your thoughts in the near future.
armypeople 05
Kiwi fire fighters compete
in international challenge
Four emergency responders competitors from more than 16 different countries.”
He said the biggest take away for himself was being Confirmed results for the week long competition:
from 2nd Engineer Regiment, able to bench mark on what “the best” actually looks like.
Category: Open Male
Corps of Royal New Zealand “This perspective will be invaluable for future
competitors taking on the regional, national and Aidan Grant
Engineers represented the international competitions.” Placing: 54th Overall Time: 1:38.59
New Zealand Army in the Sapper Aidan Grant ran a time equivalent to that of the
Thomas Grant
New Zealand team at the World top ranked NZ competitors putting him in a good position
leading into next year’s regional and national events. Placing: 76th Overall Time: 1:41.55
Fire Fighter Combat Challenge Sapper Petra Dye-Hutchinson and Corporal Thomas
Championships in Sacramento, Grant were on the verge of smashing Lion’s Den runs, but Dan Klaassen
Placing: 144th Overall Time: 2:00.08
due to an unfamiliar course they were unable to find the
California. Team leader Sergeant fault free run they had trained so hard to achieve.
Dan Klaassen described it as an “However they have also positioned themselves in a Category: Open Female
great place leading into next season.”
amazing experience. SGT Klaasen said the international bonds that were
Petra Dye-Hutchinson
Placing: 15th overall Time: 3:02.85
“For us to compete alongside the 16 other Kiwis made over the competition have increased exposure
showing the world’s best what New Zealand is made of to the New Zealand competition platform and should
Category: Tandem Female
was amazing. see international competitors visiting New Zealand to
“New Zealand Army proved to be an asset for the compete over the coming years. The Blondies (Amelia Wood & Petra Dye-Hutchinson)
Kiwi contingent as we faced off against 300 other Placing: 7th overall Time: 2:15.76
Category: Tandem Male
Mrs Grants Boys (Aidan Grant & Tom Grant)
Placing: 15th overall Time: 1:24.90
Category: Co-Ed Tandem
Who Wears the Pants (Petra and Aidan)
Placing: 17th Time: 1:51.82
Category: Team Relay Open
NZ Army Relay Team (Daniel, Petra, Thomas, Aidan)
Placing: Not placed Time: 1:24.69
Category: Team Relay Female
New Zealand Female Relay Team (Kiwi Chicks)
Including Petra Dye-Hutchinson
Placing: 3rd Overall Time: 1:50.56
(Fastest ever by an NZ Female relay team)
06 armyexercise Exercise Lightning Matawai 18
armyexercise 07
By LT Jono Healey similar in size to Waiouru. Each infantry brigade in the
US Army rotates through it, on an eighteen month
A Combat Team from 2/1 cycle, to be evaluated for operational readiness.
RNZIR has just completed a The New Zealand combat team, based around
Alpha Company included 140 soldiers from across
two-week exercise with 4400 2nd/1st Battalion, a joint fires team from 16 Field
United States Army soldiers Regiment, and sappers from 3 Field Squadron. It was
in Louisiana. an opportunity for both nations’ armies to practise
integrating with a coalition partner in an operational
The coalition force took part in Exercise Lightning setting. The rotation included an 11-day tactical
Matawai at the Joint Readiness Training Centre exercise involving a free play conventional enemy
(JRTC) in Fort Polk. battalion and a three day Brigade live field firing
The exercise ranged from population protection period. The tactical exercise saw Alpha Combat Team
to land combat operations, and involved an array of facing a mechanised battalion, armed with T-80 main
combat planes, helicopters and artillery, said Major battle tanks and BMP armoured fighting vehicles with
Craig Thorne, the Officer Commanding of Alpha a host of artillery as well as drone surveillance and
Company of 2nd/1st Battalion Royal New Zealand attack helicopters.
Infantry Regiment. It was a very different and challenging environment
“Among the range of skills tested was our readiness for the Kiwis to operate in. Alpha Combat Team traded
to deploy quickly from New Zealand to Hawaii and the open alpine tussock of Tekapo and Waiouru
then onwards to Fort Polk in the United States,” Major training areas for forested swamps in the American
Thorne said. South. They also faced an enemy with superior
“We tested our ability to operate with a coalition mobility and fire power. In this environment the combat
partner, as well as our skills in conducting offensive team was forced to adapt, we went back to the basics
and defensive manoeuvres – from undertaking combat of soldiering, avoided roads, patrolled in the tree lines
operations during battalion attacks to dealing with and hit the enemy when they were vulnerable.
internally displaced civilians and media.” The live field firing saw the Kiwis clear an enemy
The Combat Team travelled to Hawai’i to integrate town. Before the attack artillery and Apache gunships
with the 1st-27th Battalion, based at Schofield live fired onto the target area. The perimeter wire was
Barracks. As part of the 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat then breached with explosives and the infantry poured
Team (2 IBCT) we participated in a rotation at the through, and cleared house to house. It was a unique
JRTC which is the United States Army’s brigade level experience for a NZ Army unit to live fire as part of a
testing facility. much larger force, with divisional assets available to
Fort Polk in Louisiana is home to a three hundred- support our assault.
strong permanent opposition force and a training area
08 armypeople
MAJGEN Gall talks to a New Zealand Defence Force soldier MAJGEN Gall and Republic of Fiji Military Forces Commander Rear Admiral Viliame Naupoto
helping train Iraqi troops in Camp Taji. during the NZDF’s humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operation to Fiji in March 2016.
Tributes to Major General Tim Gall’s
‘tireless passion, energy and leadership’
By Luz Baguioro, Public Affairs Manager – commitment and service as a soldier and as a leader. In the past 18 months alone, HQJFNZ planned, supported
Joint Forces New Zealand “He has been tireless in his passion and energy in and commanded missions in response to a devastating
the role, leading through moments that not only cyclone in Tonga, an erupting volcano in Vanuatu, a
Major General Tim Gall challenged our Defence Force but our country generally,” massive earthquake in Papua New Guinea, bushfires in
highlighted the role of the Air Marshal Short said. the Chatham Islands, the Coromandel and Christchurch,
Under Major General Gall’s command, the NZDF
New Zealand Defence Force launched three large humanitarian assistance and
floods in Canterbury and Otago, and an earthquake and
tsunami in Indonesia, among many others.
as an enabler of New Zealand’s disaster relief operations – Vanuatu in the aftermath of “For me, there is no greater honour than to serve our
Cyclone Pam in March 2015, Fiji after Cyclone Winston
foreign policy when he handed in February 2016, and Kaikoura in the wake of the
country and it has been a privilege to command our joint
forces,” said Major General Gall, who had served as the
over command as Commander devastating earthquake in December 2016.
Commander Joint Forces New Zealand since March
Joint Forces New Zealand and Major General Gall also oversaw the start of
2014 and is retiring after a distinguished 40-year career
New Zealand’s Building Partner Capacity mission in Iraq
completed 40 years of service in in May 2015. Together with Australian Defence Force
in the NZDF.
“Apart from managing 17 missions overseas, we at
the military at the end of October. personnel, NZDF troops have helped train more than
HQJFNZ are at the sharp end of the NZDF’s response to
39,000 Iraqi soldiers and Federal Police over the past
“Our work not only helps New Zealanders but also three years. crisis in New Zealand and across the region,” he said.
people in other countries where we operate. We carry During his tenure, the NZDF expanded its contributions “I have been privileged to serve with our men and
the New Zealand flag wherever we serve,” he said. to the United Nations peacekeeping missions in Africa, the women in uniform, our civilian staff as well as our civilian
In a ceremony at Headquarters Joint Forces United Nations Command Military Armistice Commission officials and coalition partners. The past 40 years have
New Zealand at Trentham, Chief of Defence Force Air in South Korea, the mentoring mission in Afghanistan and been extraordinary and I will always cherish my time in
Marshal Kevin Short paid tribute to Major General Gall’s other coalition operations in the Middle East. our Defence Force.”
Strong NZ and PNG Defence Force bonds
behind APEC support
Story and photo by AB Kieren Whiteley, ADF bonds and laid the foundations for a well-oiled partnered PNGDF colleagues.”
From freezing in the snow together in the trenches of task force. JTF658, under the command of Australian Army officer,
Waiouru to baking in the harsh Port Moresby sun, Major “Knowing Ezron and Adrian for eight years has allowed Major General Paul McLachlan, provided security support
Ezron Dekatavara, Major Adrian Soti and Major Dominic us to communicate effectively to drive our combined task to Papua New Guinea for the hosting of APEC 2018.
Wylie have shared a lot in eight years. force further than anyone thought possible,” he said from Through the work of NZDF liaison officers and their
They can now add the delivery of a safe and secure the JTF658 headquarters in central Port Moresby. counterparts from Papua New Guinea, Australia and the
Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) 2018 “We’ve all done the same training, we all talk the same United States, JTF658 and Joint Task Force Kibung – the
Leaders’ Week to their list of common experiences. language, and this has made the Joint Task Force an PNGDF’s contribution to the host nation’s Joint Security
Major Wylie from the New Zealand Army and his Papua enjoyable place to walk into. Task Force – ensured the largest event ever held on
New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) counterparts, “I and the other NZDF liaison officers have been in Papua New Guinea soil went off without a hitch.
Major Dekatavara and Major Soti, formed part of a small Port Moresby for several months, and the joint planning APEC was established in 1989 to promote free trade
contingent of liaison officers who worked side-by-side and execution would not have been possible without throughout the Asia-Pacific region and comprises 21
under the multinational Joint Task Force 658 (JTF658). the strong personal relationships we all share with our Pacific Rim member-economies.
“The bonds we’ve formed over eight years or so have
made for a very open and honest working environment.
I think that has definitely contributed to the success we
have seen at APEC,” Major Dekatavara said.
“Dominic and I have been great sounding boards for
each other, and that has helped to ensure free and open
communications.”
“This was the first time PNGDF personnel had
worked in a headquarters of this size, so it was a great
experience that was beneficial for everyone involved.”
The three officers first met at the New Zealand Army’s
Officer Cadet School in Waiouru, where they instructed
the commissioning course together in 2010. Their paths
have since crossed numerous times throughout their
careers, leading up to their most significant challenge to
date – APEC 2018.
The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) and the
PNGDF have had ongoing training commitments for
many years, mainly with the Incident Response Group, to
New Zealand Army officer Major Dominic Wylie (centre) and his Papua New Guinea Defence Force counterparts Major Adrian
help develop niche capabilities within the PNGDF. Soti (left) and Major Ezron Dekatavara formed part of a small contingent of liaison officers who worked side-by-side as part of
Major Wylie said this relationship had built lasting a multinational force protecting world leaders who attended the APEC summit.
armypeople 09
Army chef helps plan
Christmas feast
in Antarctica
by Luz Baguioro, Public Affairs Manager – “Supplies are delivered by ship to Antarctica only once
Joint Forces New Zealand
a year so we have to make do with what we currently
Christmas lunch can be have,” said Corporal Quentin Hathaway, a New Zealand
Army chef working at Scott Base, New Zealand’s
stressful even for experienced permanent research support station on the continent.
cooks. But if you are a chef in “If we lack certain ingredients, it’s not as simple as
popping down to a supermarket to grab a few things.”
Antarctica, where the nearest Although fresh fruits and vegetables are flown
supermarket is 4,500 km away from Christchurch every two weeks during summer,
Antarctica-based chefs mainly use frozen vegetables and
in Christchurch, preparing for tinned fruit.
the year’s most anticipated feast “We cannot have certain vegetables like leeks due to
can be even more challenging. the biosecurity risks they pose. We also don’t have any
meat products that contain bones to reduce on waste,
which is sent back to New Zealand every year.”
To avoid a culinary crisis on Christmas Day, CPL
Hathaway and the two other chefs at Scott Base have
already begun planning the menu for Christmas. Turkey
and champagne ham will be the centrepiece of the
Christmas table, he said. “The first thing I do is bake bread, which is made fresh
There will also be cranberry stuffing, roast potatoes every day. I then prepare morning tea, with sausage rolls
and kumara, brandy snaps, pavlova, Christmas cake the favourite here.”
and pudding. In addition to his kitchen duties, he also forms part of
CPL Hathaway arrived in Antarctica in mid-October the Scott Base fire crew.
for a five-month posting at Scott Base. He helps prepare On Sundays, his usual day-off, he joins other Scott
four meals a day – morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea and Base staff to explore ice caves and historic huts, get
dinner – for about 85 scientists, researchers and support up close with penguins and seals or experience being
personnel. lowered into a crevasse.
“Sunday is when they get to enjoy a cooked brunch “Two of the highlights for me so far were carrying the
including make-your-own waffles, followed by roast,” New Zealand flag during the Armistice Day centenary
he said. commemoration at McMurdo Station and getting up
If he is on the morning shift, CPL Hathaway clocks in at close with Emperor penguins.”
CPL Quintin Hathaway 6am and finishes at 2pm.
Cover dog Iris
now mum-of-six
The NZDF and NZ Police have partnered in a Service ability to detect a range of explosives that could be The six puppies are the ‘P’ litter which means all their
Dog Breeding Programme – with success as Explosives a threat to NZDF personnel or civilians at home and names will begin with the letter P (still unnamed at the
Detector Dog Iris whelped six puppies on 15 November. overseas. It is hoped Iris’ puppies will themselves time of printing). Keep a look out in future Army News
EDD Iris is part of 2nd Engineer Regiment, Corps of become Service Dogs. editions for more stories on what we hope will become
Royal New Zealand Engineers and has a highly-trained our latest four-legged capability.
10 armymission
The pristine purity of an
Antarctic deployment
Plant operator Corporal Brendon Summer (October to late February) is the busy season
for science, and is the period we are deployed. During
scratch or a sprain may need to be seen at the nearest
hospital, which is in Christchurch.
Richards, currently working in this time it is continuous daylight; I never thought I would I have been fortunate in that this is my second trip to
Antarctica, sees his deployment say I would be applying sunscreen at 2am as I track the ice. I came down six years ago and always wanted
across the ice in a bulldozer. At the end of the summer to return. The place gets under your skin, and the
as a once-in-a-lifetime season, only a few will remain to maintain the base during experience is like nothing else you can get anywhere in
opportunity. the winter. Science events do not generally happen in the world. Emperor penguins at over a metre tall will walk
the winter as it is continuous darkness and the climate is up to you and follow you around, and you know you are
We deployed south in October as part of NZDF’s
less survivable. standing on deep ocean with only about 1 metre of ice in
Operation Antarctica in support of science carried out at
Living on the ice is unique, every impact is kept as some places under your feet, or in my case a 20 tonne
Scott Base, Antarctica.
minimal as possible, and nothing can be left to the dozer. In other places, the ice can be kilometres thick.
NZDF personnel at Scott Base include two air cargo
environment. When away from Base, all rubbish must be The air smells clean, and with no traffic noise or general
handlers, four communications operators, a chef, two
contained and any spills removed. Even if you need to do population, the place is silent to the point it is deafening.
plant operators, and a Senior National Officer (SNO)
your ‘business’, you use a bottle or a bucket and bring it In the warmer months, the ice may break away in front of
who oversees the team at Scott Base and also a team of
back for disposal. the base and whales will appear. I have enjoyed meeting
NZDF personnel who deploy to the American McMurdo
Surviving the harsh climate requires a lot more people who come to Scott Base to work and the people
Station 3km away at various stages of the season.
preparation and thought. From first arriving, we who come to Antarctica to study its climate, atmosphere,
Scott Base is the staging post for New Zealand’s
experience average temperatures of around -35 oceans, life, and the ice itself.
science and research events. Researchers come down
degrees. This means just going outside is not simple; People from various lifestyles come to work in
and set up, deploy to the field etc. and are able to focus
it takes time to prepare with smart layering of clothing, Antarctica for the experience and provide their specialist
on their work, with the Base team providing the logistical
as any exposed skin will freeze rather quickly. Safety skills. It is a close team environment at Scott Base, with
and environmental survival support.
is high priority and every aspect of work needs to be everyone pitching in to help each other out as some of
As a plant operator, we are responsible for many
considered before starting. Materials and equipment even the simplest tasks take more time and effort to
aspects of the support, maintenance, and upkeep of
behave differently at these temperatures and more time do. The footprint of the base itself is minimal, and as
the base and science operations with the use of heavy
is required for machinery to warm up before use, and everyone lives in close confines, everyone needs to get
machinery such as bulldozers, a digger, forklift, snow
moving around must be done slowly and carefully. Even on well with each other.
groomer, and a loader. The role includes removing snow
the snow is very dry and fine like dust; it will blow into any We all make efforts to make the place as homely as
build up from around the buildings and keeping the
tiny space and sets down firm, almost like concrete. This possible, as we are away from home for five months, or
roadways open, lifting and moving equipment including
makes operating machinery here much more intricate 13 months for some people, and with limited comforts
delicate scientific equipment, transporting field camps to
compared to anywhere else. You may find the engine bay such as no cell phone reception, no TV (except for the
remote locations by traversing the sea ice, loading and
completely packed in with snow, or the pile of snow you news), and very little internet bandwidth (so YouTube
unloading vehicles and aircraft, and processing waste
push away from a structure will take the structure with it is out). There are opportunities to go out and explore
for returning to New Zealand. Everything comes back,
as it has solidified around it. the continent and visit the historic huts from the early
so that we keep this place pristine. We are also involved
Due to the remote location, any medical or fire expeditions, our own ski field to ski or board on, bicycles
with the ship offload at the end of the season in February,
emergencies are dealt with by personnel on site, as there for the snow, and there is even a ‘bach’ so you can get
when the fuel and container ships come to resupply both
is no 111 call centre here. As part of pre-deployment away for a break.
Scott Base and McMurdo. An icebreaker is needed to
training, all Scott Base staff train in firefighting, and there Antarctica is truly an amazing experience.
break a pathway to the bases.
is a medic on site. However, anything more than a bump,
CPL Brendon Richards (right) with colleague LCPL Trent Puketapu.armymission 11
Māori elders, a Māori cultural group and soldiers escort
the returned men across the tarmac.
BRINGING OUR
PEOPLE HOME
By Andrew Bonallack closure in returning them.” After the speeches, the
Americans watch in fascination as the bearers shoulder
Army Driver Herbert Lester the caskets, a completely different style to the carrying The Definitive Answer
Humm and Navy Telegraphist of the heavy refrigerated coffins of the more recently
Major Joanne Wallace, a Regular Forces dentist
dead. The steps of the bearers, two-in, two-out, rather
Peter James Mollison have been than left-right, promotes a rock-steady march out.
based at Ohakea, took part in tranches three and
four, the England and Korean repatriations.
repatriated to New Zealand from The walk into the cemetery is slow and measured, to a
“I volunteered for the repatriation,” she says.
Korea where they have been karakia from kaumatua Ruawhitu Pokaia, and proceeds
gently uphill to the highest point.
“I viewed it as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I knew
buried for more than 60 years. Immediately to one side of Mollison is a plaque
it would be a unique and valuable experience and
something that I could be called on to do in future.”
in memory to another sailor, Able Seaman Robert
The soldier and sailor are the last of 35 New Zealand MAJ Wallace, with Major James Hannah and
Marchioni, who died assaulting a North Korean gun
personnel to be repatriated from six countries during Lieutenant Hao Wu, all NZDF dental officers, were
emplacement in 1951. His body was never recovered.
project Te Auraki. Humm, 24, was killed in 1955 after the tasked with matching the dental records of the
Chaplain FLTLT Russell Bone asks for understanding.
truck he was a passenger in overturned. Mollison, 19, repatriated servicemen. There would be plenty of
“We disturb them so that they may be returned to the
who was posted to HMNZS ROYALIST, died of influenzal circumstantial evidence of a compelling nature prior
land of Aotearoa, the land where Peter’s family longs to
meningitis in 1957. to the dental examination, namely the headstone
meet with him. We pray for his family, that they will be at
“Te hei mauri ora!” Kaumatua Ruawhitu Pokaia’s and cemetery records, but scientifically the dental
peace through this process. May the Holy Spirit settle
speech easily resonates across the terminal. In examination makes a significant contribution to the
their minds and hearts. May the joy of reunion replace
comparison, the voice of General Vincent K Brooks, identification.
the natural concerns of disturbing a loved one.”
Commander United States Forces Korea, is quiet, but “I was very impressed with the work of
Back at the entranceway, in the sunshine, everyone
he matches the dignity and keeps it brief. “Their remains bio-archaeologist Dr Stuart Hawkins. Each dig
seems to consciously release themselves from their
rested in Busan, among other warriors, but it was never was different, and he had to adapt his approach
own thoughts. There’s a realisation that these were the
their home. We pray for their families that they find according to each situation. I found it fascinating,
last bodies out of 35. GPCAPT Carl Nixon, who has led
watching him work with the different soil conditions
all four missions, congratulates the team. “Back home,
to confirm the outline of the grave. Watching the
the families see the ceremony, the caskets marching off,
forensic anthropologists at work was fascinating as
Standing Watch but they don’t get to see your hard work, over and over
well – we couldn’t have done our work without them.”
again. You have exceeded expectations, with extreme
Acting Corporal Nix Vunipola says it was an honour She says the forensic dental identification was
professionalism, massive integrity, and always thought
to be part of the vigil and bearer party for the vital for the operation. “The archaeologists and
about the families. It’s them we have worked for. And
Korean repatriation. anthropologists had a huge part to play, but it was
those we are bringing home, we haven’t considered them
“It was awesome to be given the opportunity. the dental examination that proved the definitive
to be anyone else other than people.”
Once I took in what it was about, it was less about identification. We all respected the role that each
an overseas trip, and more of an honour to do it. other played.”
There weren’t many people getting a chance.” Having three dental experts for two servicemen
She and five other army personnel, and six naval in Korea and two in England might have seemed
personnel, took it in turns in pairs to stand watch more than enough, but everyone had a role to play.
over the two caskets, ensuring they were never left “James had a wealth of forensic experience and
alone throughout their process in Korea and their Hao’s IT abilities were invaluable to the reconciliation
journey home. Much of this took place in a serene process. We had to all agree on each identifying
room near the mortuary at the United States’ feature before concluding the investigation, and this
Yongsan Garrison in Seoul. “We did shifts of six to was a vital part of the team effort.
eight hours. We were told to treat them like they “We were then able to return these soldiers to
were there, and not change the way we acted. We their families, and I was proud to have a played a
stay with them for their final journey, until they met part in bringing their loved ones home.”
with their families.”12 armytraining
Training medical staff
to cope with the worst
The Army and Air Force have
trained 12 new medics and
nurses to prepare to deploy
as part of an Aeromedical
Evacuation (AE) team.
The team has been training for NZDF AE operations
such as a disaster relief missions in the South Pacific or
to support civilian services in New Zealand.
The course was run by the Aviation Medical Unit
from the Directorate of Air Safety and Health from
the Air Force. The course students and instructors
were selected from both the Army and the Air Force.
Senior Instructor Officer Commanding, Northern Health
Support Squadron Major David Greenhough said
Aeromedical Evacuation was an essential capability for
the New Zealand Defence Force. “It is another example
of how Navy, Army and Air Force must work together
to ensure the NZDF meets the expectations set by the
government in the latest defence strategy.”
The team completed their training over three weeks
at Whenuapai and Ohakea. The AE course included
training with both fixed wing aircraft with 40 SQN, and Nursing Officer Lieutenant Lina Wei: a wheelchair!” “We will not be taking this casualty!”
rotary wing 3 SQN. This included practical training and “A scenario during our training involved the situation Everything we learnt in the classroom was leading up
simulation both on the ground and in the air. In the last in ‘Tatooine’, where a natural disaster had struck. to this moment. How do we as a team get everyone
days of the course the team flew multiple missions There were numerous New Zealanders amongst the on board, secured, and ready for take-off within the
including evacuating mass casualties and missions by casualties who needed to be repatriated. We were restrictive time allowance?
day and night. tasked with prioritising and retrieving these individuals. “The experiences I gained from this course was
The aim of the course is prepare NZDF health “On arrival to Tatooine, the team walked into a enlightening and invaluable. The scenario realistically
personnel for the dynamic aviation environment. AMU did scenario where it was utter chaos. There were simulated pandemonium and being overwhelmed with
this by teaching about crew recourse management, the casualties everywhere. Some crying out for help, some the confronted mass casualty. It tested my ability
use of flight rated AE equipment, conducting movement too unwell to call out for themselves. As one of the as an individual as well as a team leader. The mock
of the AE patient and providing clinical management. team leaders, pertinent information was thrown at me scenario helped relieve the fear of the unknown so
AMU is planning to run the course again early next year. from every direction. “There are two priority ones!” that when the scenario next turns into a real time
“There is a 34 weeks pregnant woman who will require event I am all that better prepared.”armyexercise 13 161 Battery on Exercise Sari Bair By Second Lieutenant Gary Dunseath During Exercise Sari Bair, which was a combined arms combat team level exercise conducted recently, 161 Battery provided offensive support throughout through the use of the 81mm Mortar and the 105mm Light Gun. The exercise was an excellent opportunity for 161 Battery to train and display our ability to provide effective supporting fire to a combat team. Exercise Sari Bair was broken down into three phases in which we supported 2/1 RNZIR, 1 RNZIR and QAMR in a series of live firing scenarios over three weeks. Being able to use our skills in a live firing environment, in support of troops, provided a massive increase in training outputs by allowing us to adopt procedures that we do not often get to practise with real troops on the ground, in support of the defence of a Weapon Line and troop commander while Sergeant Toma RA, assumed as well as being able to access new technology such as improving standard operating procedures. command of a gun as a Gun Sergeant. a PUMA RPAS provided by the USMC. As well as a team from 5th ANGLICO USMC, personnel Overall Exercise Sari Bair 2018 was an excellent The exercise tempo also allowed time for additional from the Royal Artillery (RA) and Royal Australian Artillery opportunity for 161 Battery to develop its skills in training such as standing patrols, fighting patrols and (RAA) also joined our ranks and fulfilled various positions support of troops through a live firing activity while cordon and search tasks which provided valuable and within the Battery during the exercise. This included also developing a better understanding of our own enjoyable training. This gave the soldiers, NCO’s and LT Jack Cailes from 4 Regiment, RAA and LT Robert procedures across all areas as a modern, agile, adaptive, officers of 161 Battery opportunity to refresh their skills Shaw RA, who conducted the duties of a weapons deployable light artillery battery.
14 armyexercise
EX WHAKATIPU II
The recently held Exercise BMS/Sitaware familiarisation for commanders. This
was also an opportunity for Training Wing to test and
elements including Transport, Workshops, Supply and
Catering, Combat Health Support, and Force Protection,
Whakatipu tested 3rd Combat continue to develop new Standard Operating Procedures with support from 4 Sig Sqn. This phase included multiple
Service Support Battalion’s for Combat Logistics Patrols through the conduct of scenarios for each functional area along with multiple
Live Field Firing boxes. These boxes graduated soldiers re-deployments into different locations. The CSST
ability to provide second and through pairs fire and manoeuvre, firing from stationary first deployed to Cromwell for three days, followed by
third line combat service support and moving vehicles and culminated with Live Field Firing Roxburgh, then finally up to an area in vicinity of Kyeburn.
to a Light Task Group (Lt TG). Battle Handling Exercises (BHEs). The BHEs saw Force
Protection platoon and Combat Drivers from 3 Transport
These three deployment locations provided varied
environments offering commanders the opportunity to
The exercise saw the deployment of a Combat Company identifying and supressing targets out to debate the age-old logistics question of functionality
Service Support Team (CSST) and a National Support 800 metres, conducting break contact drills and fixing versus defendability. With each deployment the CSST HQ
Element into the Republic of Beccara, a fictitious Area targets. This capability enables logisticians to protect tested different configurations ranging from old-fashioned
of Operations in the South Island, dominated by the and defend themselves while in a kinetic environment tents and containers, to an inflatable HQ.
Wesso Freedom Army (WFA) an anti-government militia. to complete the mission. This was the first time in While conducting Support and Stability Operations
It consisted of 194 Army personnel from 3 CSSB, 2 six years that 3 CSSB has conducted live firing from the CSST conducted troop movement tasks, established
CSSB, 4 SIG SQN, 3 ER and our Five Eyes partners vehicles which brought new challenges to commanders distribution points to resupply forward fighting elements,
from Australia and the United Kingdom, and enabled and soldiers. These shooting packages ushered in new conducted forward repair and recovery tasks, conducted
inter-corps and inter-nation operations, including NEA capabilities for CSS battalions that will be built upon in key leadership engagements, and route reconnaissance.
capabilities. future exercises. The route reconnaissance tasks were conducted for
Prior to the deployment into the area of operation, the The WFA OPFOR scenario consisted of three different both in and out of exercise and were designed to test
CSST went through a Theatre Induction and Compliance militia groups each with their own Tactics, Techniques the CSST’s ability to identify alternate supply routes
phase based out of Tekapo Military Training Area. This and Procedures (TTPs), Command and Control (C2) throughout the AO if the primary lines of communication
phase included a New Zealand Defence Force first structure and motivations. This complex environment was were interdicted. This also doubled to confirm the
aid course, Combat Life Saver Course re-qualification, reflected in the BHEs which tested exercise participants suitability of secondary roads in support of future
conduct of individual, section and platoon training and both physically and mentally. Emphasis was placed on real time disaster relief OP AWHINA deployments.
the “strategic Private” The CSST conducted battle drills triggered by the
mentality with the actions numerous contacts with the WFA using both active and
of individual soldiers passive measures. Soldiers were required to engage in
steering scenarios down conversations with exercise players and conduct a root
different paths. The local cause analysis to de-escalate conflicts.
population also joined in An organic Force Protection Platoon was deployed
some scenarios, further as part of the CSST to provide additional security as
complicating the BHEs. the tactical situation escalated. They provided a quick
Soldiers had to identify reaction force for the CSST and security to sub-elements
threats and OPFOR intent while conducting tasks. The CSST was operating under a
so commanders could strict set of ROEs which the OPFOR were keen to push
identify the correct course to the limit to test soldiers understanding of the laws of
of action to be taken in armed conflict. This helped provide realistic and relevant
accordance with Rules of training to many junior soldiers who had not experienced
Engagement. these complex and fluid environments before.
The exercise tempo Exercise Whakatipu 2 2018 enabled the testing of
increased as the CSST Combat Service Support to a Lt TG making use of both
entered the tactical field a CSST and a National Support Element. The exercise
phase with the fictitious was a big step forward in the implementation of Combat
Lt TG closing in on the Driver and CLP TTPs that the unit will look to build on in
WFA’s strategic stronghold future training. Following on, 3 CSS Bn will look to further
of Dunedin. The CSST develop its soldier skills and SOP’s for future exercises
deployed into the AO with and Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief missions.armytraining 15 EOD pers train for all eventualities The Army’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) personnel trained recently to ensure they are well versed in dealing with all eventualities. They were tested on various scenarios they may come across in chemical, biological and radiological casualty rescues. This was the first time the team had been tested to this level and the two days of training at Linton Military Camp threw all sorts of dynamic, multi- level, realistic scenarios at them. EOD personnel must train for all eventualities and in all environments to ensure they are ready to deploy into any situations both at home and overseas.
16 armypeople
1 NZSAS Regiment
Support Squadron
‘The beauty of being part of
the SAS’s Support Unit is that
everyone earns their place,
regardless if you are a badged
operator, enabler or support
role. This creates a solid work
environment full of motivated
individuals. It helps keep us
honest and ensures everyone is
putting their best foot forward.
One of the unit’s tenets –
Unrelenting pursuit of excellence
– springs to mind.’
That’s the view of an enabler who is part of the Support
Squadron who accompanies the troopers whenever
necessary.
The 1st New Zealand Special Air Service Regiment’s
Support Squadron is a multi-functional sub-unit made up
of personnel from across the three Services employed
over 17 different trade groups. It supports both business-
as-usual and operational activities of the Regiment.
As Corporal O explains, ‘A posting with the NZSAS is
very rewarding and full of challenges, I tell those who ask,
it’s just a different job within the realm of being within the
NZDF. Not necessarily better or worse than any other
role, just different!’
On posting, all individuals within Support Squadron
must complete the New Zealand Special Operations
Force (NZSOF) Support Enabler Special Operations quarter battle, to list a few. At the completion of SESOT, of humour and a good dose of humility ingrained in your
Training (SESOT). This course is held over 12 days and enablers would have met their entry requirements, and personality you will thoroughly enjoy your time within
is designed to provide individuals with the requisite this completion and shared achievement provides the this unit. We all agree there is no “us and them” mentality
skill sets to operate effectively within the Regiment. foundation of integration in the Regiment. up here and have all been pleasantly surprised at how
It covers a wide range of activities, from the physical Once SESOT is completed, individuals will be welcoming and friendly all members of this unit have
barrier testing, familiarisation with NZSOF weapons and introduced to their workplace and job area. Those filling been to us. There has been an arms wide open approach
equipment, combat shooting package, refreshes medical enabler roles such as communications, intelligence to support personnel within the unit and as the NZSAS
skills, and educates individuals on 1 NZSAS Regiment and medics will move onto more specific training to be Regiment is well aware most SOF operations require
processes, ethos and values. integrated into the current Operational Squadrons. non-SOF support.
Roles within Support Squadron are tri-Service, so for A normal day sees all personnel down at the gym at
0800 hrs for PT Monday–Friday before starting the day’s
those coming from different trades that haven’t had the But it’s Auckland!?
exposure to these different elements of training, this is a work. This can take some getting used to, but after a
couple of months, your fitness will be markedly improved. This one I can attest to as I spent much of my life in the
good opportunity to learn new skills and improve military
South Island. We all imagined hours of mind-numbing
proficiency. After initial introductions, individuals move To help those thinking about a posting within NZSOF, traffic and latte-sipping locals saying “Auckland’s not that
into two days of physical testing which consists of the here are some thoughts from current serving Support bad”. I have to admit (as hard as it may be) I was dead
Army Required Fitness Level (2.4km run, press ups, curl Squadron personnel that may help dispel any myths: wrong. As a city there is a reason why quarter of the
ups and pull ups), a Battle Efficiency Test (8km pack
country’s population lives here. There is a lot to do, with
walk and generic tests such a body drag, carry, wall and
Will I be fit enough to pass Support Enablers vast areas of coastline and beaches to explore. Fishing
rope climb), 8km Battle run in Patrol Order, finishing Day
Special Operations Training (SESOT)? and hunting areas are accessible and the summers
One with a basic water swim test. Day Two is an 18km
are long and hot. Yes, buying a home might not be an
challenge through hilly terrain. The requirements are well documented on the NZSOF option for many posting up. But there are nice modern
The rest of the course moves through an introduction recruitment page, and the standards are very achievable military rental homes at a subsidised rate available.
to the combat shooting package, navigation, Special if you are motivated and put a bit of training in. We have The operational accommodation regional assistance
Operations mental agility, combat first aid, Conduct had individuals posted short notice with minimal extra allowance has also improved this. The barracks have
after Capture Level B, close vehicle ambush and close training show up and meet all the standards. large rooms, and as we know no posting lasts for ever. If
living in Auckland seems a deterrent it shouldn’t be.
Are my military skills good enough?
Generally Regimental initial training and courses use Always searching
the “Crawl, Walk, Run” approach to training. We have If you have any desire to work within the NZSOF
adopted the phrase within the med troop of “mastering environment regardless of service or seniority, please
the basics” as it’s easy in Special Operations to get discuss this option with your chain of command and put
wrapped up in the cool high speed skills. But if you this in your PDR. More information about the roles or
haven’t mastered the basics how can you begin to specific training can be found on the NZSOF Website.
perform the advanced skills? If an opportunity arises where you are in Papakura
and want to meet up with someone within your current
Will I fit in with the team? trade, this can be organised. There is no secret regarding
supporting the NZSAS Regiment, it is a highly demanding
This is an interesting question and is difficult to
yet equally rewarding posting. Train hard, stay safe.
generalise but, if you brook no sense of class, have a bitYou can also read
