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armynewsc o u r a g e | c o m m i t m e n t | c o m r a d e s h i p | i n t e g r i t y

20 juLy 2010Issue 411

www.army.mil.nz

www.army.mil .nz

pg 10

pg 17

pg 27

the Army News is published for the regular and territorial Force

and civilian staff of the new Zealand army.

Editor: Judith Martinphone: 04-496-0227 or

DTelN: 349-7227fax: 04-496-0290

email: [email protected]

Website: www.army.mil.nzPrinting: APN Print, Wanganui.

design: Tom Frauenstein, DCG, NZDF

Editorial contributions and letters are welcomed.

They may be sent directly to the Army News and do not need to be forwarded through

normal command channels. Submit them to The Editor, Army News, DCG, HQ NZDF,

Private Bag 39997, Wellington, or by email.

Deadline instructions: Army News is published on the third Tuesday of each month, except January. Please have all

contributions to the editor by the first of the month.

Nothing in the Army News should be taken as overriding any New Zealand Defence

Force regulation. Readers should refer to the relevant service publication before acting

on any information given in this newspaper. ISSN 1170-4411

All material is copyright, and permission to reproduce must be sought from the editor.

Cover:A mortar shell explodes during Exercise First Shot. See page 14.Photo: Second Lieutenant Matt Marinovich, 16 Field Regiment.

20 juLy 2010Issue 411

nZarmynewsContents

newsAmericans honour

NZ citizens 03New role for highest

ranking woman 05

PeoPLePadre Gourdie dies 07Admin and advice

improvement on the way 07

Chef wins international award 08Unique battle guide

published 09

eXerCIsesSaladin 11

First Shot 14Close Air Support 16

sPortTriple gold for

Trentham bodybuilder 27PTI Hungary-bound 30

Linton units 20

ceremony marks the 60th anniversary oF the korean WarThe 60th anniversary of the start of the Korean War was marked by a wreath laying ceremony at the National War Memorial in Wellington on Friday 25 June. The ceremony was attended by veterans of the Korean War, dignitaries, politicians, members of the Korean community, and military personnel.

The ceremony began with the mounting of the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) catafalque guard and arrival of the official guests in the Hall of Memories.

Rear Admiral David Ledson (rtd) delivered the prologue, acknowledging the over 6000 New Zealanders who served as part of the United Nations forces fighting in defence of the Republic of Korea.

He reflected on the sacrifice of the New Zealanders whose names are written in the Nation’s Roll of Honour and the estimated 2.5 million civilian casualties – from both North and South Korea.

He used stories about three New Zealanders who served and died during the Korean War in the Fleet Air Arm – Lieutenants Donald Shadbolt, Kenneth Young and Norman Mackay to show that the Korean War was no different to other wars.

He concluded by saying that, “And as I reflect on the contrast between the shortness of these stories and the expanse of the tragedy that attaches to them, it is appropriate to close with the pepeha: He harahara wai nga kanohi – The eyes overflow with tears.”

His Excellency The Honorable Sir Anand Satyanand, Governor General of New Zealand, delivered an oral history reading from an extract written by Battery Sergeant Wilf Poulton, a Woodville farmer in civilian life, which described some of the problems experienced by gunners in early 1953.

Among the wreaths laid was one by Doug Callander and Des Vinten, representing New Zealand veterans who served in Korea. Wreaths were also laid by Commodore Bruce Pepperell, representing the Chief of Defence Force, and Miss Su-jin Jeon and Master Kun-yeop Lee, representing the youth of Korea.

The ode was delivered by Warrant Officer Jerald Twomey in Maori and Air Vice-Marshal Robin Klitscher in English.

The national anthems of New Zealand and the Republic of Korea were played by the Central Band of the Royal New Zealand Air Force Brass Ensemble.

Children from the Korean community then offered attendees poppies to place on the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior.

New Zealand was one of the first of 16 nations to respond to the United Nations Security Council's call for assistance and about 4700 men served as part of Kayforce and 1,300 in the Royal New Zealand Navy deployment. An armistice agreement signed on July 27, 1953 brought the fighting to an end. However, Kayforce was not withdrawn from Korea until July 1957.

British service personnel in New Zealand on Exercise Longlook helped clean up graves in Wellington’s historic Mount Street cemetery recently.

There are about 1000 graves in this historic site, with a large number of military graves of those who served in a famous British regiment which has a strong link to early Wellington. The regiment The 65th, better known as the "The Royal Tigers", were garrisoned in Taranaki Street and even had a local hotel named after them.

The regiment fought in the New Zealand wars at Rangiriri, Orakau and Horokiwi and were respected by their Maori opponents. They are celebrated in a memorial in a Te Awamutu Church, with the inscription “Love Your Enemy”.

The British service personnel were helped by British High Commission staff in the cleanup. It involved about 20 graves, a few of which were still buried in scrub in the cemetery.

One of the most celebrated of the men buried there is Captain Richard O’Connell who fought with The Duke of Wellington in the Peninsula War at the siege of Badajoz and in the battle of Vittoria. He later died in Wellington in 1850. The city of Wellington is named after the Iron Duke.

a revitaLised personneL BranchPersonnel Branch has undergone a significant change recently, with the Branch being restructured and renamed to better reflect the new direction and focus for Human Resource Management within the Defence Force.

Following an Executive Leadership Team decision and consultation with Personnel Branch staff, the new Defence Personnel Executive (DPE) was stood up on 31 May 2010.

The first part of implementing the DPE was to set up the Transitional Organisational Structure, which brings together existing Personnel Branch employees, single Service HR Heads and their Wellington-based staff, and the interim Centres of Expertise functions (Workforce Planning, Psychology, Policy, and Recruitment), under the Assistant Chief of Personnel as the single point of accountability.

These changes mark the beginning of a significant transformation that will result in stronger, consolidated personnel services providing quality support and advice to everyone in the Defence Force. This is a transitional structure until the end of the year, and positions within the transitional structure have only been confirmed to the Director level. The HR functions listed in the boxes below each Director position show functional groupings only, as there is still a lot of work to do in determining what the final structure will look like. In addition to the name change, the restack of Defence House in Wellington has allowed space for DPE personnel to move to the second floor of Defence House.

"I am confident that as a result of these and future changes we will fully succeed in delivering on our Mission: To enable and optimise the personnel capability to achieve the NZDF Mission, and to accelerate our ability to achieve the first part of our intent, that: The Defence Personnel Executive delivers world-class, simpler and better support to enable NZDF outputs," says AC Pers, Brigadier Mark Wheeler.

For more information about HrM changes, visit the DTP intranet site http://projects/dtp/default.aspx.

LeTTer

DiDn'T you bLusH a LiTTLe?Editor,

The article “The Warrant Officer of the future” on page 3 in the last Army News(Issue 410) attracted my attention. I read it a few times in an attempt to work out what on earth it meant. If I was a Staff Sergeant and aspiring to be a Warrant Officer a read of this article might leave me feeling somewhat depressed. I nearly lost it entirely on reading that "face to face communication may well become a thing of the past".

My main criticism is that this article with its catchy title "Warrant Officer of the Future" is not at all helpful and in fact, is just a confusing piece of nonsense. I know, you will say we all have our opinions, but didn't you blush just a little to see such stuff in your paper?

I would hazard a thought that the Warrant Officer of the "Future" is not a lot different than the Warrant Officers of the past. In 1815 at Waterloo a good Warrant Officer was probably one who; knew his craft, knew his soldiers, had the respect of his NCO's and Officers and was a rock in the middle of chaos. My Company Sergeant Major in Vietnam was just that. I can't remember if he was "agile, pragmatic or even a networker". Not that it would be important … he was all he had to be. If I was ever to be a company commander I would know what qualities to look for and they haven't changed in the last few hundred years.

Major bill blairburnham

British service personneL heLp to cLean up historic WeLLington cemetery

Korean war veterans Des vinten and Doug Callander lay a wreath on behalf on the Korean veterans association.

Cleaning up: british service personnel get to work in Mount street cemetery.

OH 08

-034

7-58

MaKing CHange WorK by Chief of army, Major general rhys JonesWe are at an important stage in our change journey. Physical changes are happening. We are starting to apply new systems and ways of operating that have been developed over the last months and years.

But operational and structural change won’t work unless there is also a mind change. We need to start changing the mindset in which traditionally the Services have considered that Defence Force Headquarters supported us. Now we have to change that to Services supporting the Defence Force - Three Services as One Force – for the purpose of deployment.

The need for this change cannot be underestimated. The ability to implement effective change, including attitudinal, is vital for any organisation that needs to adapt itself to its operating environment.

The Defence Force is made up of dedicated, innovative and skilled people who have the flexibility to ‘shape while we create’.

This is new thinking for us and uncharted territory to a degree. While consultation is important, and is still happening, progress needs to happen along with this. You all need to take the opportunity to be part of this shaping process. This is your organisation and we want you to make a contribution to its future to make it the best it can be. Don’t wait for direction; take the initiative.

Stand next to your biggest problem and take responsibility for fixing it.

We also need to learn from each other and communicate sideways between the services. For too long we have worked in silos, developing solutions that could be applied across the whole organisation. With our new enabling structures we now have a real opportunity to share information for the benefit of the Defence Force as a whole.

But why are these changes important and why now? In thinking about where the world is heading I think we can assume the next twenty years will bring about as much far reaching and unsettling change as the past twenty.

In fact, the pace of change will actually increase, particularly in the scientific, technological, and security domains. Adaptability, efficiency and a commitment to frontline capability is even more vital as we can’t allow ourselves to be caught off guard. We need a combined force capable of adjusting quickly and efficiently when surprise inevitably comes – because it will. Organising forces and educating leaders to adapt quickly to these surprises will mean a fast and effective recovery and the potential to make the most of opportunities.

So, to enable this flexibility and plan for the future we need a strong and efficient support foundation working together to ensure we are a more nimble, effective and efficient Defence Force in the future.

The Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team from the NZ Provincial Reconstruction Team (NZPRT) were called out to the location of a 100kg Russian aircraft bomb threatening both a village and the World Heritage Site of the largest Bamyan Buddha last month.

Recent seasonal heavy rains in Bamyan Province had uncovered the severely corroded bomb next to a town well.

“Disposing of a bomb such as this has inherent risks at the best of times, but with important landmarks and a village close at hand, the problems are compounded,” said EOD Officer Lieutenant Nick Fisher.

The EOD team gained permission from the local government and non-government agencies to dispose of the bomb, and began digging a series of large holes as a protection measure for the surroundings and to prevent ground shock.

The Afghan National Police evacuated a one kilometre radius of village, which included about 400 families, and a special A-frame and trolley were built by the EOD team to lift the bomb from the washout and transport it to the disposal site, using long ropes.

The bomb was moved into the area of protective earthworks and specialised charges were placed on it. These are designed to fracture the casing of the bomb and expose the explosive inside which is then disposed of by burning. This allows for the

kiWi troops destroy 100kg russian aircraFt BomB in aFghanistan

disposal of ordnance without causing a full scale explosion.

“It all went according to plan and 16 hours after work started the bomb was successfully disposed of with no damage to any of the important sites in the area. We are grateful to the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, UNESCO and the local Afghan National Police for their assistance during this task,” said LT Fisher.

aMeriCans Honour neW ZeaLanD soLDiers kiLLed in vietnamTwo New Zealanders who were attached to the 173rd Airborne Brigade during the Vietnam War have been honoured on a memorial dedicated at Fort Benning, Georgia, in the United States.

The memorial to all who served in the 173rd Airborne Brigade, is believed to be the only memorial on American soil to list Australian and New Zealanders alongside Americans.

Among the 1750 American names are the names of 30 Australian and two New Zealand members of the First Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment Group (1 RAR Group) and 161 Battery, Royal New Zealand Artillery (RNZA), who were killed while serving in South Vietnam and were attached to the 173rd Airborne Brigade, US Army during 1965-66.

Sergeant Alistair Don and Bombardier Robert ‘Jock’ White were the first two New Zealanders killed in the Vietnam War. The pair died when their vehicle was destroyed by a command detonated mine near the Viet Cong-held village of Ben Cat on 14 September 1965. SGT Don, from Dunedin, was 27 and BDR

White, from Kurow in North Otago, was 28.Lieutenant Colonel Matt Boggs, present Commanding Officer

of 16th Field Regiment, said, “No higher honour could be granted to those who died while serving with this elite US unit, than to be recognised in this manner.”

“The 173rd Airborne Brigade has a long and distinguished history, one which we are proud to share. It is this shared military history, in Vietnam and beyond, that forms the basis of a relationship of respect, trust and friendship.

“The commitment that our two nations maintain in places such as Afghanistan is reflective of our shared values and is a pillar of our ongoing relationship,” LT COL Boggs said.

New Zealand Defence Force Land Component Commander Brigadier Dave Gawn, Lieutenant Colonel Andy Shaw, Major Bob Gillies, and Warrant Officer Wayne McAsey were among the small delegation of New Zealanders invited by the 173rd Airborne Brigade National Memorial Foundation to attend the dedication ceremony.

The 173rd Airborne Brigade Memorial is located at a prime site on the ‘Walk of Honor’ at the new National Infantry Museum, immediately adjacent to Fort Benning, Georgia.

The dedication of the Memorial was followed by a reunion to commemorate the 45th Anniversary of the only ANZUS combat unit to serve in Vietnam during the War.

Warrant officer Class one Wayne Mcasey who attended the dedication ceremony.

The bomb is prepared for removal, and then disposed of.

armynews03Issue 411 | 20 juLy 2010

by Judith MartinAnne Campbell, the Defence Force’s highest ranking woman, has called it a day.

Brigadier Campbell, who joined the Army as a Private and rose through the ranks, has decided after four years as Director General of Defence Health to take up a newly created position as health advisor at Veterans Affairs New Zealand (VANZ).

She can, she says, look back on her military career with pride, and, while there were more things she would have liked to achieve, the experience brought “a great deal of satisfaction.”

As a medical student the ebullient young Aucklander never envisaged a long term career in the Army— she just wanted “a bit of adventure.”

“I needed money to help pay my way through medical school, so I joined the Territorial Force. There was no way I was going to make it my career though – I just wanted to enjoy myself and do something different.”

She learned how to be a soldier and how to lead, but it wasn’t until her final year at medical school when she worked an elective period with the New Zealand Army battalion in Singapore, that she first encountered Regular Force

“I HaD my KIt anD was reaDy to Go”

personnel.

“Before a field exercise I was told ‘women don’t go into the field here.’ I told them I had my kit and was ready to go, and off I went.”

Along the way she met and married infantry officer Bob Campbell. He was and still is, she says, her mentor and rock. With the option of changing a civilian job every two or three years to coincide with his postings, she decided to join the Army as a medical officer.

In the days when most female soldiers and officers undertook back-room roles and left the Service if they became pregnant, the road she chose to take was not without its potholes. Deep ones. The response to her telling her Commanding Officer of her first pregnancy was a blunt, “Not in my Battalion”. That was just after finishing a large exercise in Takaka knowing very well she was pregnant.

She has two children— Joshua and Ashley— and she recalls buying fabric and sewing her own Dacron maternity smocks as no garments were officially available. Her babies often snoozed in the back rooms of base hospitals while she tended patients.

Joining the Army is a decision she has never regretted. Quick to laugh and extend a welcoming word, but equally quick to

sum up an emergency or disaster and act accordingly, Anne Campbell is in her element, she says, when she is doing her primary job, being a doctor.

Along with her share of exercises she has deployed to disaster zones where her skills have been put to use within minutes of her arrival.

In 1997 a devastating tsunami struck Vanimo on the northern Papua New Guinea coast, killing up to 4,000 people. She lead a 20-strong team of New Zealand Army doctors, nurses and medics who helped their Australian counterparts tend an endless line of patients who were not only injured but had seen their families die and their villages disappear under the churning waves.

Outwardly confident when she arrived in the disaster zone, which was still under threat of more tidal waves, she assessed the situation before gathering her team of military personnel and one civilian Defence journalist—me— together and telling them that should another tidal wave strike, “run the fastest RFL you have ever run up to the top of that hill over there. Now let’s get on with it.”

She spent the next few weeks cleaning atrocious wounds, assisting with amputations, and supervising assessment and treatment of patients. Eighteen hour days were common for most of her team members; patients, their eyes wide with fear and pain, kept coming.

She deployed to a similar disaster zone in Banda Aceh seven years later. Part of the second medical surge to land in the stricken Indonesian city, she emerged from the aircraft beaming at the medics, nurses and doctors her team was replacing. She was concerned for their welfare, and was delighted to find them exhausted but happy, satisfied with the job they had completed in harsh conditions.

The missions, though, left their scars, Campbell admits. It wasn’t the long hours, it wasn’t the responsibility leadership brings, nor the stifling conditions, but the disruption to communities and family units.

“The environments we as military medical personnel work in are never pristine after a natural disaster, nor easy, but you just have to make them work. It’s not the medicine that gets to you, it’s the destruction of a society— the loss of loved ones, homes and a community. The pure grief that is right there before you.”

Defence medical technology and assets have come a long way since she first deployed. Her job at the top entailed writing policy, ensuring competencies were met, managing equipment stocks, and ensuring new legislation was complied with, amongst a raft of other responsibilities. Preparing for the influenza pandemic was another.

It was fast-paced and stimulating work, and she loved being able to initiate positive change but admits there was little time for herself. But what she enjoyed most was getting out into the field; she even made a point of calling in to visit the New Zealand Regional Assistance Mission contingent (RAMSI) during a recent holiday in Solomon Islands. “There’s nothing better than being out somewhere in the world, being amongst our guys and girls who are doing their bit for their country in some far away hot and harsh place. They’re inevitably in their element, doing what they’re trained to do and loving it.”

Her role with Veterans Affairs is a new position, and she is responsible for overseeing delivery of health services to veterans. Some of the veterans she deals with are in their early twenties and still serving, but most have left their Service. The War Pensions Act 1954 is under review by Sir Geoffrey Palmer from the Law Commission, with the aim of bringing it into line with current times and other government policies.

“We acknowledge a lot of our younger veterans have a long life ahead of them, and we have an increasing number of them from the many missions New Zealand has been part of since the mid-1990s.”

She has not stopped practising medicine. “I’m Girl Thursday each week back at the City Medical Centre. It’s good to keep

"tHere was no way I was GoInG to maKe It my Career tHouGH – I just wanteD to enjoy myseLf

anD Do sometHInG DIfferent"

brigadier (rtd) anne Campbell.

04armynewsIssue 411 | 20 juLy 2010

my hand in; my patients have given me the most positive support in recent years.”Anne Campbell is seen as a trail blazer by her colleagues, and as someone who has held

onto her sense of humour and compassion on the journey. But being the senior woman in a predominantly male organisation, albeit with women going places, can be lonely.

“It had its highs and lows—the lows as in being lonely. When you’re the only female Brigadier you’re on your own in a way. Women who want to get to the top need to be resilient, and strong both in nature and character. I’m still the same person I was as a Captain, probably as a Private. I just got to the top with the support from a lot of folk, both family and Defence Force colleagues.”

"tHe envIronments we as mILItary meDICaL PersonneL worK In are never PrIstIne after a naturaL DIsaster nor easy, but you just Have to maKe tHem worK."

anne Campbell receives her brigadier rank slides.

in Papua new guinea with two young tsunami vicitms.

Treating patients in a tent surgery following the Png tsunami.


Defence pharmacist Jane Dawson has been made a Fellow of the Pharmaceutical Society of New Zealand in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the advancement of the practice of pharmacy through the safe and quality use of medicines in the New Zealand Defence Force.

Mrs Dawson was presented with her Fellowship certificate at a pharmacy gathering in Palmerston North in May.

She described the presentation as a “great honour”. The area of pharmacy practice where Mrs Dawson has excelled is in the safe and quality use of

medicines throughout the New Zealand Defence Force. She has applied her pharmacy training and skills to military situations and devised practicable solutions that have improved the ability of doctors, nurses and medics to treat soldiers, sailors and airmen under their care—no matter where in the world they may be.

Since her civilian appointment at Defence Headquarters in 1990 Mrs Dawson has been instrumental in overcoming many hurdles to bring to the required legal standards all pharmaceutical services pertaining to medicines in the Defence Force—from purchase, through to distribution, storage, prescribing, dispensing, and administration to patients, and finally to the correct disposal of surplus or expired supplies.

She co-ordinated the writing of medical treatment protocols so that the pharmaceutical inventory could be rationalised which in turn allowed nurses and medics to diagnose, treat and manage patients under standing orders when away from base medical treatment facilities. She also developed a system of pre-dispensed medicines so that medics in the field could, following appropriate protocols, issue them to soldiers, sailors and airmen— be they half way up a mountain or 1,000 km out at sea— knowing that the medicines were appropriately packed and fully labelled with directions and warnings.

In order to operate safely, using the Defence Medical Treatment Protocols, medics and nursing officers must annually demonstrate competency and Mrs Dawson has again been the driving force behind developing and managing the assessment process using on-line testing procedures.

She has personally progressed the national effort for registration of paramedics under the HPCA Act and she chaired the committee that prepared the National Standard for Ambulance and Paramedical Services. Throughout her 20 years with Defence she has also taught at the Joint Services Health School at Burnham Camp.

Mrs Dawson is the Director of Defence Health Quality. She is involved with the International Pharmacy Federation (FIP) and since 2004 has been Permanent Secretary of the Military and Emergency Pharmacy Section (MEPS) of FIP and co-managed a pictogram project developing a culturally specific medicine labelling system for communication where language or literacy prevent the usual labelling of directions on dispensed medicines.

“I really enjoy trying to blend the requirements of health care delivery with the needs of the Defence Force. I love problem–solving, and trying to make things better for health care deliverers and patients while at the same time meeting our legal requirements in a cost-effective and efficient way.”

deFence pharmacist’s contriButions reCogniseD by soCieTy

a new Fellow: Defence pharmacist Jane Dawson

The 15 year Bosnia Reunion for Operation Radian Two is to be held at Burnham Military Camp in November. Operation Radian 2 deployed to Bosnia from March-September 1995.

Reunion dates: 5-7 November 2010Location: Burnham Military Camp

FoR moRe inFoRmation contact 2Lt Zane Beeson at [email protected]

oP raDIan reunIon


Padre Rona (Pat) Gourdie, a World War II veteran and “humble hero” who received a Distinguished Service Order (DSO) for his war time actions, died on 11 June, aged 97.

Born in Ashburton, in April 1913 Padre Gourdie was an Anglican vicar, and served with 2 NZEF in Africa and Italy. He was a senior chaplain with J Force in November 1945.

According to his DSO citation Padre Gourdie was attached to the 18th NZ Armoured Regiment in July 1944 and accompanied the forward half squadron of A Squadron into battle in a Regimental Aid Post carrier. “The advance was held up at the cross roads at Strada village by dug in infantry and tanks. At this time the New Zealand advance had driven a narrow salient into the enemy's line, and heavy fire including 88mm, AP and HE was being poured into the New Zealanders’ positions from three sides in the enemy's desperate attempt to hold up the drive. During the battle an enemy Tiger KO'ed and brewed up one of our tanks endeavouring to outflank him. Padre Gourdie went forward on foot and, fighting the flames, managed with assistance of the spare driver who was not wounded, to evacuate the remainder of the crew, all of whom were badly wounded. All this time the tank was in direct view of the enemy, and being subjected to intense mortar and small arms fire.”

“Later in the day, the same enemy Tiger (tank) brewed up another of our tanks which was stalking it, and again Padre Gourdie went forward in the face of terrific fire and dragged out three wounded members of the crew. Padre Gourdie then placed the wounded in the R.A.P. running the gauntlet each time for about 600 yards down an exposed length of road covered by 88 mm AP fire. Infantry casualties were occurring with depressing frequency and again and again Padre Gourdie ran this gauntlet evacuating casualties, chased by a hail of AP fire.

“Throughout the whole action covered by this period Padre Gourdie was always found with the forward tanks, and wherever the fire was heaviest, attending to casualties and encouraging his men. His fortitude and gallantry was an inspiration to all about him and his presence was a very great stimulant to moral and fighting efficiency which did much to assist success throughout all our recent operations."

Army News correspondent Gary Parkes interviewed Padre Gourdie in November 2008. He told Gary that after graduating he was appointed curate to the Anglican parish of Petone. “I was there about a year when the war caught up with me. I trained with the first Padres’ course, in Wanganui. It was a week-long course which included drill, physical training and an emphasis on first aid and map reading.”

During that week he and his colleagues were given a gem of advice from a World War I veteran instructor padre who counselled them to live dangerously. “He was telling us never let anything interfere with our job, regardless of the danger of upsetting the system. I was soon to appreciate the wisdom of that. It has stood me in good stead ever since.”

Despite his protestations, there was one aspect of military life in the field he was never comfortable with. “They used to have battalion prayers about 0800. People would be running around everywhere, there’s a war on…prayers were the last thing they needed at that time of the day.”

Some time ago, prior to being posted to Wellington, the Principal Army Chaplain, the Rev Lieutenant Colonel Don Parker caught up with Padre Gourdie, retired in Foxton Beach. Since then Linton chaplains ensured he received regular visits, particularly by the 2nd Land Force Group Co-ordinating Chaplain, the Rev Major Ra Koia.

“In my eyes Pat was indeed a Servant in the truest sense of the word, who served the church, his country and the community at large with all of his breath. He is truly someone who I learnt much from and I feel I have lost a great friend. Our weekly visits will be treasured. In short I will remember Pat as a "humble hero" although he never liked to be labelled or honoured with such titles,” said Chaplain Koia.

Padre Gourdie was pre-deceased by his wife Zoë and a daughter, Jan. He is survived by three daughters and a son— Elizabeth, Mary, Chrissie and John.

He was given a full military funeral, and buried at Foxton Cemetery.To read gary Parkes’ full interview with Padre gourdie see issue 394 army news, on the army intranet or internet.

cassino veteran padre pat takes his FinaL Leave

"In my eyes Pat was InDeeD a servant In tHe truest sense of tHe worD, wHo serveD tHe CHurCH, HIs Country anD tHe CommunIty at LarGe wItH aLL of HIs breatH."

a Wider range oF seLF service administration and advice is on the WayThe Defence Transformation Programme is preparing for the consultation phase of two significant initiatives that will deliver more centralised self-service to personnel.

Human Resource, and Training & Education advice and administration is to become centralised in order to provide better, faster, more user-friendly service.

Here’s HoW iT is LiKeLy To LooK •HowdoIapplyforparentalleave? •HowdoImakeacomplaint? •HowdoIfindHRassistancewithmydeployment? •WhatsupportdoesDefenceForcesupplyforextrastudy? •HowdoIenrolorofferfeedbackonacourse? •HowdoIapplyforfundedstudy?

Currently, in order to get answers to these and many other questions, personnel on camps and bases often need to physically go to the office of a HR or personnel advisor, or a course administrator.

In the future, personnel will be able to pick up the phone or log on to a computer to be immediately connected with either phone or online support through a centralised service. This means that personnel will enjoy better, faster service, with more consistency of advice.

SQNLDR Gwynn Jennings, a member of the HRM programme says this will be a change for many Defence Force personnel.

“This centralisation of services marks a fundamental change in the way we do things in Defence. It’s a bit like Google; in the old days we had to physically go down to the library to look something up in an encyclopaedia. Nowadays we use a search engine and have the answer we’re after in a few seconds. It may have taken some getting used to at first, but now it’s just part of everyday life.”

What’s happening next?Keep an eye out over the next few months for information about the proposed new structures

of HR Advice and the Training and Education Directorate. If you have any comments or questions email [email protected]. If you are directly affected you will be able to make a submission during the consultation phase. These are the best ways for you to offer your suggestions on how these services should function.

Once the consultation phase is complete you’ll be hearing more about the final structure of these services in your base or camp newsletter, Service magazine, and on the DTP intranet site.

premium services on emaiL and phonesThe Defence Force has revised its policy on the use of email and cellular phone premium services. A premium service is any service that involves an additional charge above and beyond normal usage rates. These include, but are not limited to;

• 0900Phonenumbers• Internetaccessfrommobilephones• Subscriptionservices(Ringtones,musicornewsservices)• Purchasesofgoodandservices(Txtparking)• EmailtoSMSservices(SuchasVodafone‘txtmail’orTelecom‘eTXT’)

It is not permissible for Defence Force personnel to use these services for personal reasons.

Any service that would incur an additional charge to the Defence Force must be approved in advance through an employee’s commander or manager and signed off by the cost centre manager. As always there must be a clear business reason for why the Defence Force is paying for this service and payment must be approved.

Any questions about what services are permissible should be directed to an employee’s manager or consult DFO 102 http://publications/Defence/dfo/dfo_102/contents.pdf

Padre gourdie during a visit to Cassino in italy.

sharing a joke with Chaplain ra Koia. in the background is a painting of his late wife, Zoe.


Earlier this year New Zealand Army chef Lance Corporal Steve Hogan was part of the team that won gold when it represented New Zealand at the international Food and Hospitality Industry Association Culinary Challenge in Singapore.

This particular competition is one of the top four on the International Culinary Competition Schedule, and is held every four years in Singapore. It is the largest event of its kind in Asia and comprises two parts; the International teams live cook off and a cold table presentation.

The build up to the event was intense. We landed in Singapore three days before the event, and there was a lot of excitement in the air after such a long build up. The two days before the event were full-on—we pulled some long days in practice and before we knew it, it was our day in the kitchen.

We were cooking off against Germany. After five frantic hours and a 85 cover service of a three-course menu, we returned to the hotel to continue work on our dishes for the cold table presentation. We worked all night for a 0930 deadline. With the completion of the cold-table presentation, the pressure was off. Now we waited for the 1600 minor award presentation.

This year the New Zealand Culinary Team (NZCT) was determined to follow up on its 2006 success at this

international culinary competition and we did so by being once again awarded a gold medal in the international teams live cook off. What made this gold all the more special was that this time around, competitive culinary powerhouses Germany and Switzerland were awarded silver. We improved from our 2006 cold table result and were awarded a silver medal. So, after three days and close to two and a half hours sleep we were in the top three for the final cook off for the Battle for the Lion and overall champions.

With one more day of competition to come, things were looking hopeful. Sadly we missed out by the smallest of margins. We finished a gut wrenching fourth.

The following day Singapore was named overall champions, which was well-deserved as they were the only team to earn double gold and a clean sweep of the Battle for the Lion.

All in all we were very happy with the results with positive feedback. The judges commented on the freshness and great tastes of our dishes.

I wish to express my gratitude for the support given to me by ARSC and especially the kitchen staff at Papakura and the wider Army for making it possible for me to be able to attend this event.

menu enTrÉeBraised pork belly with slow cooked egg, pea puree, truffled shaved asparagus, roe dusted scallop with parmesan herb crust and fried cassava root, vincotta.

Main Roasted Lamb rump with sweetbread and kidney and lamb casserole, goat’s cheese macaroni, confit shallots baby carrots and buttered peas and point jus.

DesserT Passion pudding soufflé served with champagne and passion fruit sabayon, peach and strawberry jelly and blown sugar peach filled with champagne sorbet.

army CHef HoGan In GoLD wInnInG team

iF you are depLoying For the First time reaD THis

This deployment help is provided as a generic mission guide for personnel to assist them with their administrative and logistic preparation for deployment.

aDMinisTraTive HeLPPre DePLoyMenT: All personnel considering a deployment must first check the mission Job description (JD) and deployment criteria to ensure they can meet the critical requirements for the position. JD’s can be found on the HQ JFNZ J1 Personnel Webpage (HQ JFNZ, J1 Personnel, J1 Mission JDs).

on noTiFiCaTion: Confirmation you are deploying will be advised in a signal from HQ JFNZ. This signal will assist you with your admin/med/log preparations. Obtain a copy of the signal from your unit as it is required before you commence the admin/med/log aspects of the deployment process.

Administrative preparations are detailed on the Deployment Checklist Form MD1285 which is available through your Orderly Room or online (Applications, Forms, NZDF Forms, MD 1285). You are required to fill one of these out ensuring it reaches your deployed admin unit at least one month prior to attending pre deployment training (PDT). For more administration information see the HQ JFNZ webpage and the prime reference DFO 3 Part 9 Chap 7.

MeDiCaL HeLPPre-Deployment medical requirements (vaccinations and medical kits) can be found on the HQ JFNZ J1 Health Webpage (HQ JFNZ , J1 Health, Pre-Deployment Requirements, Medical Requirements).

LogisTiC HeLPsCaLe oF enTiTLeMenT(soe): View the HQJFNZ J4 Webpage (HQ JFNZ, J4, Docs and Lists, Operational Mission Clothing Equipment Scales, then visit your Regional Clothing Store (RCS/OSCS) with your Mission Confirmation Signal. Do not order any clothing or personal support issue without first consulting with your local RCS – they support personnel on missions and they will know what you need – this applies to all Army, Navy and Air Force pers. Tip - read the FIRST page of notes on the SOE. Do not turn up to PDT without first ensuring you have ordered and received your SOE.

booTs/running sHoes: Ensure you have a med chit if you require specialist footwear.

resPiraTors/ess gLasses: Indicate if you are left or right handed and whether you wear glasses, i.e. you use prescription lenses. You will need this for PDT.

Fair Wear anD Tear: Your issued clothing/PSI is required to last the duration of your deployment (including PDT), this includes your running shoes – bring your clothing up to standard while you are still with your unit as you will not have time on PDT.

ConTaCTs: J43 DTelN 345 6402 or Mission Logistic Desk Officers 345 6403/4/5.

HEADQUARTERSJOINT FORCESN E W Z E A L A N D

Left: Lance Corporal steve Hogan. above: The winning main The winning dessert.


Professor Glyn Harper, a former Army Education officer and now Director of Massey University’s Centre for Defence and Security Studies, has taken up a Fulbright Scholarship to conduct military research in the United States.

A Professor of War Studies, he will initially be based at the Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, Virginia. He is writing, along with fellow New Zealand historian John Tonkin-Covell, a reappraisal of the Battle of Monte Cassino, which will be the subject of his research. The Institute holds a large number of military archives, in particular the papers of George Marshall who was the overall commander of American troops during World War II. Professor Harper expects to find significant information there.

After three months in Virginia he travels to the Army War College at Carlisle, Pennsylvania where he will search their records for any further information on Cassino.

Professor Harper wrote the biography of Sir Howard Kippenberger for his doctorate, but then moved on to research World War 1 history. He wanted to move back into looking at World War II and was approached by an overseas book publisher to write a new study of the battle of Monte Cassino, a significant battle for New Zealand soldiers. “It was a battle of attrition, there was a huge loss of life, and it was a struggle against insurmountable terrain and other odds.”

The book will not be a chronological account of the campaign, but will look at about a dozen key themes.

“It will look at, for example, the use of air power, the use of terrain, the effectiveness of military intelligence, and whether the (Monte Cassino) monastery needed to be bombed. Other themes could be how effective the Germans were, and the effectiveness of command performance— all the big issues behind the battle.”

A former school teacher, Professor Harper left the Army as a Lieutenant Colonel. He has written 17 books, with his latest, Images of War. World War One. A photographic record of New Zealand at war 1914-1918, published in 2008.

In 2012 he plans to publish a book based on letters New Zealand soldiers wrote home from Gallipoli. He expects to have the Cassino book published in about 2013.

Fulbright New Zealand is an exchange programme to encourage mutual understanding between different countries and cultures. Its scholarships fund travel and study in the United States.

CassIno researCH unDerway by fuLbrIGHt sCHoLar

A Christchurch-based former Army officer has devoted much of the past decade to producing a unique book based on the New Zealand division on the Western Front.

From the Uttermost Ends of the Earth by Brigadier (Rtd) John Gray is mostly military history, but also includes a description of the Western Front as it is today, as well as a detailed logistical guide to the division’s battlefields and places of memory. It is expected to become an invaluable guide for battlefield tourists.

Brigadier Gray, 82, held posts as deputy commander of the 1st Infantry Brigade Group, and of Field Force Command. He was a Territorial Force advisor to the Army General Staff from 1972-1974.

He has made a detailed study of the role of the New Zealand Division in World War One during the seven battlefield visits he has made since 1997.

From the Uttermost Ends of the Earth tells of national sacrifice; 13,647 New Zealanders died within the Division’s ranks in two and a half years, more than in all three Armed Services combined in the six years of World War II.

One of Brigadier Gray’s aims in writing the book was to argue the Western Front was just as significant militarily and historically as the Gallipoli campaign, and deserves at least equal prominence in New Zealand’s national consciousness.• A review of From the Uttermost Ends of the Earth appears on page 25.

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by officer Cadet Timothy ewing-JarvieAs the New Zealand Commissioning Course (NZCC) midyear milestone looms, the expectations placed on Officer Cadets (OCDTs) to perform in the field is increasing. The specialisation and intensity of OCS’ field exercises increase throughout the course in proportion with the OCDTs’ ability to understand and apply basic tactics, while continuing to refine their core soldiering skills.

Exercise Alam El Halfa was a highly anticipated exercise, with war-stories from previous years indicating an opportunity for this year’s OCDTs to test their resolve and leadership ability in an environment where they could be affected by mental and physical fatigue. By all accounts, this year's rendition of OCS’ major digging exercise proved a great success, and offered invaluable learning opportunities and command experience to all involved. The class established and occupied a company defensive position on the southern side of feature Carbuncle. All pits were developed to fighting-pit depth with over-head cover on sleeping bays and each section’s two gun pits.

Never one to disappoint, the Waiouru weather turned on its pre-winter charm, with the rain leaving once-hospitable sleeping bays looking more like something out of the Shining, and reminding the cold and soaked OCDTs what it takes to lead disciplined soldiers in the New Zealand Army. The rain and fatigue offered an important challenge to the OCDTs, who stepped up appropriately and showed commendable determination and enthusiasm to get the most out of the training available.

With the initial 72 hour digging phase completed (communications line and wire obstacles had been placed out) the second phase of the exercise was able to begin. Individual sections spent the next week conducting counter-reconnaissance patrols, occupying OPs, and establishing ambushes throughout the exercise area of operations. The OCDTs rotated through command appointments as platoon commanders, platoon sergeants, section commanders, and section 2ICs. This served to increase their knowledge of section battle drills and IAs, while further developing their ability to apply functional leadership in the field.

This phase culminated in a defensive battle and withdrawal overnight, moving on foot to feature Baggush. At Baggush the wary OCDTs regrouped and rehearsed after receiving the order that they were to return to the now Musorian-occupied defensive position and win it back. In the small hours of the following morning the company launched a deliberate attack with two platoons up, and one establishing a direct fire support base. The enemy position was cleared by first light and, with a sense of accomplishment, the OCDTs were able to get stuck into refurbishing the area before moving back to camp. During the exercise the OCDTs were privileged to witness the promotion of the now SSGT White, who always plays an integral part in the efficient running of OCS exercises.

The OCDTs are processing the lessons learned from Exercise Alam El Halfa, while preparing to return to the field for their next challenge where they will consolidate their practical understanding of platoon battle drills on Exercise Tebaga Gap.

offICer CaDets HIt mID-year marK In raIn anD snow

officer cadets during exercise alam el Haifa.

10armyeXerCIseIssue 411 | 20 juLy 2010

eXerCIse saLaDIn 2010by second Lieutenant Zane beesonExercise Saladin was a continuation of the Exercise Black Templar scenario from October 2009. That scenario was based on a coalition intervention force deployed to conduct stability and security operations to defeat an insurgency in a fictitious nation northwest of New Zealand. The primary objective of Exercise Black Templar was to regenerate close combat capability at Combat Team level.

The exercise was set six months after the withdrawal of New Zealand Force Elements at the completion of the Black Templar scenario. The situation within the fictitious nation of South Lezewit (SL) saw a renewal of the insurgency, with a significant threat to New Zealand interests and citizens in the country. This necessitated an evacuation of New Zealand citizens and approved foreign nationals from the NZ High Commission to SL which was located in Ranfurly in the Maniatoto Plains region of Central Otago.

The exercise began with 2nd 1st Battalion deploying the High Readiness Platoon to establish a lodgment and secure the NZ High Commission in Ranfurly. This was rapidly followed with the deployment of a follow on Company Group element to evacuate NZ citizens and approved foreign nations.

All Force elements were deployed in a simulated air and sea move from Burnham. The evacuation of NZ citizens was conducted in the Maniatoto region, with 67 members of the local population participating as evacuees. They were physically uplifted from their home localities or designated assembly areas to the High Commission for processing, and then transported to Alexandra Airfield in preparation for evacuation back to NZ. This phase of the exercise was conducted by D Company 2/1 RNZIR, who have fulfilled the high readiness role for Army over the past 6 months.

While the evacuation was underway, the security situation continued to deteriorate which required the remainder of the Task Group to deploy to the region. This included the remainder of 2/1 RNZIR, and attached elements from key functional areas were required to deliver a combat capability, including 39 Mortar Battery, 3 Logistics Battalion, 3 Signals Squadron, 3 Engineer Troop, and a composite Rifle Platoon group from South Island- based TF units. The Task Group was designated as Task Group 21, and began security operations from Maniatoto north into the McKenzie Basin to clear and defeat of the insurgent threat.

This first phase of Saladin was aimed at validating 3 LFG’s High Readiness capability, including the staff planning process to conduct a Non-Combatant Evacuation Operation (NEO). Once the initial platoon group deployed, they were required to conduct a number of complex tasks in order to both ensure their own security was maintained while safely evacuating the NZ nationals living in South Lezewit. This included sourcing transport assets from local providers, and liaising with both concerned locals and a 3rd party private security company called the FENIKS Group. This proved to be a challenging task given the dispersed nature of the evacuee locations, the distance from the area where the evacuation was conducted to the airfield in Alexandra, and the fact the high readiness group had limited transport assets available to compete the task.

With the completion the NEO phase, the Task group transitioned to the clearance of two parallel valley systems between St Bathans and Omarama, in which the enemy elements had established a range of defensive outposts and training camps to support infiltration and re-supply routes into the Maniatoto region.

The commencement of this phase coincided with extreme weather conditions that lashed the North Otago region causing major flooding. With the rain coming in sideways and the flood levels rising, B and D Companies began to seek out and close with the enemy. For four days they moved north by day and by night, clearing all enemy elements from the valleys while the Fire Support Group (FSG) and reconnaissance and surveillance elements secured key boundaries and conducted reconnaissance tasks 24-26 hours ahead of the main body.

The dismounted combat teams proved their effectiveness in operating in “all seasons, weather and terrain” as the valleys became impassable to vehicles due to the torrential rain. The final day of the advance required B and D Company’s to transit the Omarama Saddle. Although only 1300 metres in elevation, this crossing occurred at the height of the “weather bomb”, creating additional challenges at the end of what proved to be a physically demanding phase.

Once the objective at Omarama had been secured, planning began for the final phase while the combat teams reconstituted. This phase involved a live direct action night attack on a complex enemy company sized position in Tekapo. Recon and sniper elements were deployed early with the Sniper team deploying on a 36km night infiltration by small boat on Lake Benmore to neutralise an enemy standing patrol that was covering a likely infiltration route for the task group main body.

The remainder of the task group including CSS elements relocated to a new assembly area at the southern end of Lake Pukaki to shorten the lines of communication between the target area and the main body. From this point the weather decided to provide some variety and covered the McKenzie Basin in snow instead of rain.

The attacked commenced with a 60km night convoy move through the Pukaki and Tekapo River valleys, followed by a 14km foot infiltration for the combat teams. Once the combat teams then linked up with reconnaisance elements, they were guided into their form-up points under the cover of darkness and in heavy snow. Although H Hour was scheduled for just prior to first light, the weather conditions ensured that D Company’s objective was taken by night with the company operating completely on NVG throughout the attack. Their target comprised a number of trench systems and a small built up compound. B Company’s objective was a well defended defensive position complete with obstacles, which required a coordinated breach to break-in using Bangalore Torpedos placed by engineers, and accurate suppression provided by Mortars, the Fire Support Group and D Company. Once B Company’s objective was secure, a live Javelin was fired by the FSG as a cut-off which made very short work of an escaping enemy vehicle, and provided a fitting end to a successful attack.

Exercise Saladin served as a prime opportunity to exercise 3 Land Force Group’s High Readiness capability against an evacuation type scenario that could occur as a real time task. It also showed the pay off of investing time and resources at Company level as the performance of the commanders and soldiers was to a very good standard. It gave the Battalion Command Post a chance to utilise the new Cover-tex Inflatable Command Post Shelter, dubbed “The Bouncy Castle”, and identified further areas where 2/1 RNZIR needs to continue to focus to regenerate its C2 capabilities. Over all, the exercise provided a continuum from Exercise Black Templar and demonstrated that 2/1 RNZIR and 3 LFG units have made considerable gains in regenerating a robust combined arms capability. soldiers takes a break enroute.

an rnZaF iroquois lifts its underslung load.

armyeXerCIse11Issue 411 | 20 juLy 2010

comBat service support For exerCise saLaDinExercise Saladin, a 3 LFG exercise conducted in May in Otago and South Canterbury aimed to further develop of 2/1 RNZIR’s Task Group (TG) capabilities, integrate key supporting elements including mortars, engineers, Combat Service Support and helicopters, and provide the conditions for the validation of the High Readiness Capability.

The Combat Service Support Team (CSST) was formed from personnel of 3rd Logistics Battalion, 2/1 RNZIR Log Coy, 3 Signals Squadron, 3 Health services Company and Military Studies institute (MSI). The CSST consisted of a HQ element, MSI, Medical Section, Supply Platoon including Kitchen, General Supplies, Combat Supplies and Services sections. Transport Platoon with two sections of U1700, and the Forward Repair Group (FRG) had the main trade groups of mechanics, armourers, electronics technicians and maintenance fitters.

HeaDquarTers by Major Duncan george, oC CssTThe scenario of Ex SALADIN saw a range of operations being conducted, ranging from Stability and Support Operations (SASO) through to a Battalion deliberate attack. Each of these operations required different methods of logistic support and the CSST was challenged to keep pace with the support requirements which a Combined Arms Task Group (light) would require.

The exercise provided some excellent operationally focussed training for all CSS personnel within the CSST. This ranged from force protection training involving live firing from moving LOV (W) out to a distance of 600-800 metres, through to conducting a tactical two company move by night supported with LAV from Queen Alexandra’s Mounted Rifles as convoy escort. All of the skills practised by the CSST during the exercise were challenging and reflected many of the logistic operations being faced by our contemporaries in either the Royal Logistic Corps (RLC) or other ABCA CSS forces in places such as Southern Afghanistan.

suPPLy PLaToon by sergeant stephen CarruthersThe CSST Supply Platoon for Exercise Saladin was made up of 34 personnel from 3rd Catering & Supply Company, 2/1 RNZIR Logistics Company and Territorial Force soldiers. They were commanded by Second Lieutenant Mark Chambers, 3 CSC, and the Staff Sergeant Wayne Anderson, 2/1 RNZIR. The role of the Platoon was to provide catering, bulk fuel, ammunition and general stores and showers.

2LT Chambers said the exercise enabled soldiers from all the units to work beside each other to achieve a common goal. Being from different units, one first line and the other second line, a change in attitude was required right from the start as the platoon was operating in a first line role, directly supporting TG 21 in the conduct of their tasks. For the Ammo and Sup Tech soldiers it was great that they were able to practice in this area of combat support operations.

TransPorT PLaToon by Lance Corporal Keiran HarrisTasking for Exercise Saladin comprised of a number of TCV uplifts, general stores moves, real time casualty collection and back loading to the Regimental Aid Post, a Civil Defence callout to Oamaru, as well as both sections giving close support to both Bravo and Delta Companies during their 100km advance to contact.

We deployed to Omarama to uplift 2/1 Bravo and Delta Companies taking them back to Tekapo camp for there reconstitution. The next day we redeployed south of Tekapo to Lake Pukaki where we were joined by the Air Force providing a helo for under slung loads. Transport Platoon moved both companies to the start of their 10km advance to contact under LAV escort. We drove tactically on full black out with NVG; over 60km over varying terrain through rivers and swamps to the Drop off Point(DOP) which was an interesting experience. Once at the end of our journey Bravo and Delta Companies went off on their mission, while the platoon secured the DOP and awaited the call up to move forward for their uplift and the end of the exercise.

After the assault 2/1 mortars and the javelin section put on a fire power demonstration. With the weather closing in the companies were loaded and dropped off in Tekapo camp to reconstitute. A number of junior leaders from the CSST got the chance to head back out to the training area to call in mortar fire and drop mortar rounds, an all arms skill that must be maintained. In all the platoon achieved its mission, and provided vital first line support whilst remaining flexible, from Civil Defence to live firing from moving vehicles and an ever changing situation in real time.

ForWarD rePair grouP by Lance Corporal Tom Hardwick.Three Workshop Company and 2/1 Battalion TSSU combined to form the Forward Repair Group (FRG). Once deployed in Ranfurly they provided support to the Open Day with displays of the M1089 Recovery Vehicle and a Forward Repair Team Pinzgauer.

After the Open Day it was back to the exercise with a large portion of the FRG personnel re-deploying to Tekapo to partake in pairs, reactive and vehicle based live fire, which for some was the first time since basic training and for a lot of us a first firing the Mag 58 from a vehicle.

From there it was back to Ranfurly, which was a short stop as the infantry advance saw us moving north to Omarama briefly, then onto Pukaki in support. Over the duration of the exercise the FRG received 23 calls of which 15 were completed in the field, three remain under observation and the remaining await spares. These statistics exclude a number of minor last minute quick repair tasks. The last day of the exercise saw us off with an early start, deploying to Tekapo Camp, setting up to begin safety and technical inspections of the exercises equipment.

"tHe PLatoon aCHIeveD Its mIssIon, anD ProvIDeD vItaL fIrst LIne suPPort wHILe remaInInG fLeXIbLe, from CIvIL DefenCe to LIve fIrInG from movInG veHICLes anD an ever CHanGInG sItuatIon In reaL tIme." a soldier prepares to transfer fuel to vehicles.

air LoaDMasTers neeDeDIf you have served around five years or more and are looking for a change, have an aptitude for a dynamic working environment, enjoy a challenge, are effective under pressure, self motivated, possess self discipline and display natural leadership while travelling the globe, then chances are you are a good candidate.

To process your application for Air Loadmaster you need to have your unit raise a RNZAF 1370A (found in the NZAP53, chap 17) to apply for

Air Loadmaster, have a current Fitness Rating, complete an Aircrew Swim Test and apply for a Service Transfer as per DFO 4, Chap 2, Sect 8. You will be required to complete an Aircrew Medical, which can be only conducted by an RNZAF Medical Officer (however there is some flexibility with being able to conduct this during the selection board if unable to be completed prior). RNZAF 1370As should be sent to SO REC, AIR STAFF, WGTN. If you have any enquiries regarding the process, you can contact F/S Lisa Hughes, 348 8804.

by Lieutenant gavin raymondScene: It is a wet and blustery Sunday afternoon in Christchurch. I’m 20 metres above the forest floor, hanging on to a single steel cable slung between two huge trees. Suddenly I feel a sharp buzzing on my belt and I lose concentration for an instant. My feet nearly slip in the wet conditions but I manage to stay balanced and negotiate my way to the nearest platform before sliding down to the ground below. A short jog gets me underneath a catwalk way up in the tree tops, where the other half is also looking a little preoccupied. “Got to go” – I call up – “Pager went.” She grimaces and asks me if I don’t mind missing out on the adventure. I can’t help but think that Adrenaline Forest may be a small blip compared to the adventure ahead…

A short drive later and I am at battalion headquarters. The intelligence report reveals that the Musorian embassy in the nation of South Leziwt has been bombed, triggering serious instability in an already troubled region. A media blackout has made information minimal, but one thing is clear: the government wants New Zealanders out of the country. While the High Readiness Platoon Group starts

gearing up, the staff planning process is well underway. We snatch a quick coffee during a break in anticipation of the late night ahead.

36 hours later and maps and aerial footage have finally arrived. I had none to plan with; now I have enough to wallpaper a house, but I’m grateful anyway. I am on the 2/1 RNZIR parade ground, sitting in the C130 that looks suspiciously like a coach. By 9pm we are in theatre, securing the High Commission in Ranfurly and preparing for the arrival of the rest of the company. Convoy security and roving patrols quickly erode men and my sergeant starts prioritising the work that lies ahead into another late night…

The platoon is operating in a complex environment, and the low-level small arms and RPG attacks, flash rioting, some ingeniously placed IEDs, the embedded media, and the constant stream of individuals approaching the embassy are all unsurprising. We keep developing the embassy defences and gate procedure. Snipers on the roof provide overwatch. The diversity of players just keeps adding to the situation complexity too – rural freedom

fighters, the government security forces, a fundamentalist political party and its militant wing, and even foreign private security contractors are outside the wire. Training kicks in. Everyone is so focussed on the job now that it just feels like business as usual. Like Jack Handey would say - “The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing”.

On Thursday the platoon starts evacuating New Zealanders from their homes. This provides a new series of experiences, from learning how to assist families with young children to securing a wheelchair on the bus. The journalists take photos non-stop for four hours; everyone grits their teeth and smiles. A convoy takes the evacuees to the Alexandra airport, where they are flown back to New Zealand. That night we place some snap VCPs on the key routes out of town while 11 Platoon goes looking for trouble, but trouble appears to have given up the fight for Ranfurly. The intelligence briefs, situation updates from New Zealand and warning orders all point to a dismounted advance north to clear the enemy from the region.

We have only been here four days…

by Private Jamie ClearwaterTerritorial Force (TF) personnel from Otago/Southland and Canterbury districts were integrated into B company, 2/1 Battalion for a week of Company and Platoon level operations during Exercise Saladin.

To many of the TF soldiers, the hardships and successes of the week were a brand new experience. From first hearing the hissing roar of an M72 SRAAW striking out at an unfortunate target, to suppressing an admiring grin at B Company’s OC during his fiery speeches, each and every soldier from the part-time contingent returned home with new and valuable experience.

As most exercises do, Saladin started with a long ride in a Unimog. More than 30 TF infantrymen made the journey from Dunedin, Christchurch and various South Island districts to Tekapo to begin preparations for the week of platoon and company level assault training. Despite a dire weather forecast, the weekend of platoon operations concluded before the rain descended and with a new sense of unit cohesion, the newly formed 6 platoon, B Company moved into the first phase of exercise Saladin— 4 days of live fire advance to

contact training in North Otago. The first few raindrops held off until B Company was mounted

and moving to its area of operation, a steep sided river valley around 40 kilometres from Naseby. This slight drizzle would develop into a rainstorm that persisted throughout the first phase and would prove a challenge to all involved. For B Company, it was enduring 4 days of wet and cold while avoiding injury long enough to make it 'over the hill'. 'The hill' was 4 kilometres of winding, uphill pack marching, from the base of the valley to the top of a saddle, which for three days had obscured from view. Overall, the riflemen of 6 platoon had mixed experiences of the 28 kilometre move from the drop off point to the apex of the saddle. For some it was excellent revision of the skills and techniques that are employed daily in a field environment, while for others it highlighted the need for further personal improvement.

The transition into phase 2 of Saladin saw 6 platoon return to Tekapo Military Camp. Rehearsals began for the last of the planned activities for the week— a deliberate company attack on a fixed defensive position.

The snow that fell as 6 platoon practised trench clearing was

thick on the ground when B and D companies debussed in the vicinity of Tekapo power station early on Saturday morning. Dawn saw D company advancing over the ridge and toward its designated target. B Company remained, individual soldiers black against the snow, waiting for the command to move. The distinctive beat of the LAV cannon and the steady pattern of mortar rounds could be heard from 6 platoon's position.

When the call came B Company quickly moved into position and advanced toward the enemy pits. 6 platoon's attack was over quickly, with the enemy position neutralised by a decent amount of high explosive. After a rapid reorganisation, a demonstration of the anti-tank prowess of the Javelin missile and a short ride back to Tekapo Camp, final administration signalled the end of Exercise Saladin.

One of the drawing points of field work is the chance to form solid mateship that only comes from shared adversity. This, along with the opportunity to test themselves, and to refine their skills with the light infantry of 2/1 battalion, made Exercise Saladin a truly unique experience for the TF participants.

"eaCH anD every soLDIer from tHe Part-tIme ContInGent returneD Home wItH new anD vaLuabLe eXPerIenCe."

eXerCIse saLaDIn• 16daydeployment• 450personnelinvolvedintheexerciseatvarious

stages during this period.• Themajorityoftheexerciseinvolvedlivefiringfor

the duration, including for CSS elements.• Theexercisewasdispersedoverasignificant

geographical area using NZDF and private land from the Maniatoto Region through to the McKenzie Basin.• Themajorityoftheessentialelementsofacombat

capability participated in the exercise.• Theexercisewasusedasamediumforcontinuing

development of new capability initiatives.• Involvementfromthelocalciviliancommunity

and police in Ranfurly as players in a live evacuation operation. • Civilianjournalismstudent“embedded”to

provide the media dimension in Ranfurly.

TF PersonneL TesT THeir sKiLLs armyeXerCIse13Issue 411 | 20 juLy 2010

by 2LT Matt MarinovichExercise First Shot was held in June to regenerate the artillery/mortar skills of 16 Field Regiment soldiers who have just returned from Timor-Leste.

The exercise began with support staff from 39 Mortar Battery making the long drive up from Burnham and marrying up with a troop of three guns from 161 Battery in Waiouru. After a day of dry training and rehearsals the detachments were ready to deploy.

The mortar crews moved and fired in Waiouru in conjunction with 161 Battery throughout the exercise, who were also trying to regenerate their corps skills after their tour in Timor-Leste. The exercise focused primarily on 81mm mortar technical drills. A number of soldiers amongst the mortar crews had only completed their handler course just prior to deploying to Timor-Leste and this was to be their first live fire exercise.

First Shot began slowly with a technical mortar shoot, but progressed through various missions to a couple of fire plans – one of them being a deliberate fire plan in support of 2 ER in Zone 1. The engineers had built a series of HESCO walls and sangars and had kindly invited our mortars and the guns of 161 Battery to help destroy them.

This shoot was the perfect way to conclude the exercise for the soldiers, who even had the chance to view the effect t their mortars had on the sangars.

First Shot was a success for the mortar crews, who, with their refreshed mortar skills, are ready to reintegrate into their primary role at 39 Mortar Battery.

eX saLaDIn 2010 Exercise Saladin was the first combined arms activity for the newly established 39 Mortar Battery. The exercise saw 81 Troop complete deploy with the BC and a JOST (Joint Offensive Support Team) party attached to D Company.

Most of the troop deployed south into Ranfurly on Saturday meeting up with our JOST elements who had been working closely with 2/1 Battalion. From there we all moved in behind D Company to support them and B Company for the advance. After three days of continuous typical South Island weather we finally reached our finish point. A quick reconsolidation later and we were ready to roll into the next phase, the direct action in Tekapo.

This saw us move into a Forward Operating Base near Lake Pukaki ready and awaiting further orders. The direct action phase had the JOST party advancing under the cover of darkness with the companies to the FUPs. The mortar line used this time to move into position and await H Hour. On the crack of dawn the fire plan commenced, first supporting D Company in taking their objective, and then B Company.

Concluding the attack, the troop stayed in position and conducted an All Arms Call for Fire for 3 Logistics Company which saw out the remainder of our day.

With a culmination of some old, some new working together on the mortar line, 39 Mortar Battery was finally able to put all their training into effect.

39 Mortar Batteryex First shot 2010: a Mortar PersPective

gunner shaun Colmore prepares a mortar round for firing.


eX fIrst sHot 2010 – Guns PersPeCtIveby Captain Dave Mortimer161 Battery recently deployed to Waiouru on their first exercise since returning from Timor-Leste. Exercise First Shot was to re-establish the battery in its primary role, gunnery.

Despite only having returned from Timor-Leste a couple of weeks earlier, 161 Battery deployed into the field with three gun crews, one command post, one Joint Offensive Support Coordination Centre (JOSCC) and one Joint Offensive Support Team (JOST). They were soon joined by two mortar detachments and one mortar command post, which were also manned by personnel recently returned from Timor-Leste.

After a brief period of Battery Deployment Orders (dry training) in the Waiouru Airfield area, 161 Battery began live firing. Initially the battery fired standard missions but was quickly able

to progress to basic fire planning. The exercise concluded with two separate support activities.

The first of these saw 161 Battery deploy into the desert in Zone 1, where they fired in support of 2 Field Squadron, 2nd Engineer Regiment. The engineers had built a network of sangars which they then breached, aided by 161 Battery’s guns and the mortars. The gunners then relished the opportunity to inspect the damage that their guns had inflicted on the sangars .

The final support task for the battery, and the last activity for the exercise, was to then fire in support of 163 Battery, which was on Exercise Brimstone at the time. 163 Battery was rehearsing its defence of the gun position procedures and to cover its emergency withdrawal called in fire from 161 Battery.

Having successfully completed their artillery regeneration training, 161 Battery returned to Linton Camp and now look forward to re-establishing their presence in 16 Field Regiment.

Ex First shot 2010: GunnErs PErsPEctivE

eXerCIse brImstone june 2010 by 2LT David HawkesThe School of Artillery, in conjunction with 163 Battery, 16 Field Regiment, recently conducted Exercise Brimstone in Waiouru Military Training Area. This exercise was the final testing exercise for new Artillery Young Officers (YO’s) and for the ‘Stadia’ (Artillery Survery Sergeant) course.

The YO’s were tested in a range of roles such as Gun Line Section Commander (GLSC), Battery Leader, Command Post Officer (CPO) and Gun Position Reconnaissance Officer (GPRO). Course students were required to sight, fixate and orientate the battery’s guns, manage artillery ammunition and translate forward observers’ calls-for-fire into firing data for the guns.

The battery was kept on the move, as the YO’s were assessed on their ability to reconnoitre new positions and to lead the battery into them by day and night. This was all done in the context of an evolving tactical scenario.

The culmination of the exercise was a direct fire shoot to practise the YO’s and gun crews in their defence of the gun position procedures. Gun crews had to engage and destroy two targets (at 800m and 1750m) in the Argo Valley. The winning platform was able to do this with two rounds; a direct hit on each target in a time of 1 minute 8 seconds.

The Battery Captain then called-in indirect fire support from 161 Battery, which was also on exercise at the time, in order to cover a emergency battery withdrawal. Each gun raced out of action and moved to an rendezvous while putting down its own smoke screen. Not only was this activity valuable training for the course students and 163 Battery, it was also an exercise highlight for many of those involved.

161 battery fires in support of 2 engineer regiment.

bombadier stuart Mcomish and his gun team firing in defence of their gun position.

a round exits the barrel.Lance bombadier Phillip Manning sends a call for fire

to 161 battery.



equiPMenTby Warrant officer Class Two Johnny garton

iZLiD 200P

Capability staff are procuring 11 IZLID 200P LASER target markers for issue to JTAC/JFO personnel to support the regeneration of the JCAS capability. The IZLID 200P is a compact, lightweight IR LASER for pointing and marking targets. The IZLID 200P is small enough to fit into the user’s pocket, and it is powerful enough to call in air strikes out to 39 Km. The IZLID will be issued with LASER safety glasses for personnel within the JOST party.

TransPonDer beaCon

Capability staff are also procuring 11 SMP 2000 lightweight, pocket size RADAR transponders that when activated send a signal enabling the beacon’s location to be displayed on the RADAR of any NATO or ABCA attack or search aircraft. The SMP 2000 is not degraded by weather or poor visibility and can be used as a personal locator beacon and to indicate the location of whatever friendly force or vehicle/equipment it is attached to.

CLose aIr suPPort eXerCIseExercise Willoh provided the New Zealand Army Joint Terminal Attack Controllers (JTAC) and Joint Fires Observer (JFO) personnel a unique opportunity to gain Close Air Support (CAS) training with fast air assets within New Zealand.

The Army, in recent years, has been attempting to regenerate a small group of personnel with skills to conduct CAS tasks in support of ground based forces. Once JTAC’S are qualified there are strict currency requirements that must be maintained biannually. These include the requirement to conduct CAS training with “fast air” aircraft, something that has been impossible to achieve in recent years.

The deployment of the RAAF to New Zealand for Exercise Willoh is an example of the New Zealand Defence Force and the Australian Defence Force once again training together to met common objectives. The exercise was also an example of air and land forces operating in support of each other—“Joint” training. The ground based assets also included indirect fire assets firing in support of the CAS missions. Management of the training area airspace during the training was coordinated by the JTAC’s. This enabled the indirect fire assets to continue firing while the aircraft were operating within the training area. A mix of lateral and attitude separation methods were employed during the training. Airspace Coordination Measures were employed effectively with minimal effort by all exercise participants.

The training involved both day and night sorties. Unfortunately, no live ordnance was able to be dropped during the exercise; however the RAAF supplied a quantity of Laser Guided Training Rounds (LGTR’s). The LGTR’s are a practice bomb fitted with a laser guidance kit. The NZDF owns a small quantity of Laser Target Designators (LTD), which are over 20 years old and were planned to be used for the exercise. The LTD’s had been held in storage within Whenuapai for a number of years, however a small number of avionic technicians spent countless hours working on the LTD’s to enable them to be employed on the exercise. LTD’s are most commonly associated with assisting the delivery of kinetic effect on targets but they are also very useful in assisting with the positive identification of objects/ areas to aircraft. This assists in reducing the possibility of fratricide against friendly forces.

The RAAF deployed to NZ with target acquisition pods that enabled a wide range of capabilities to be employed. Some of the targeting pod capabilities were laser designation, infra red laser spot and a forward looking infra red (FLIR) full motion video capability. The benefit of the FLIR video to the JTAC’s was the ability to see exactly the same image that is displayed to the pilot, through the use of a Remote Operated Video Enhanced Receiver (ROVER) terminal. A major benefit of the ROVER terminal is it decreases the amount of time it takes the pilot to visually acquire the intended target, by day or by night.

Exercise Willoh was a success from the perspective of the personnel involved in the CAS phase of the exercise. It reinforced the ability of NZDF personnel to operate with ADF personnel at a tactical level. Hopefully, the ADF will return to New Zealand for future exercises involving CAS aircraft. The aim of future exercises from JTAC and JFO personnel would be to involve CAS aircraft in collective training exercises.

above, and top raaF aircraft fly in support of exercise.LT Matt Cross.


ForWarD observer Courseby Captains David Mortimer and stuart TyleeThe 2010 Artillery Forward Observers’ course recently spent a week at Waiouru Military Training Area practising their Observation Post procedures, conducting mortar fire missions and familiarisation with Close Air Support.

The course consisted of ten students ranging in rank from Lance Bombardier to Captain. Having already completed a month of theoretical and simulated training, this was the first opportunity for course members to call in live fire missions.

On the first day the course was split into two Joint Offensive Support Teams (JOST’s) and orders were issued to establish observation posts at Ammo Boxes Major (near Nursery). Following a two-hour march into the position course members took turns in conducting mortar mark missions for the Royal Australian Air Force F/A-18 jets. As the weather started to turn bad hopes for a hot meal in camp were dashed as orders were issued for the establishment of a number of observation posts throughout the training area overnight. The two JOSTs spent the next ten hours tackling the steep ravines and spur-lines in and around Flat-Top, Imjin and Cook Tank Track in order to achieve their required zones of observation and acquire their necessary target information. A very wet and tired course eventually made its way to the Indirect Fire Observer Trainer facility in camp to call in some simulated missions before a short but well-deserved rest.

The final day was spent assessing course members on their ability to call-in mortar fire missions individually prior to a period of maintenance and the return to Linton Camp.

JoinT ForWarD observersIn conjunction with the 2010 Artillery Forward Observers’ course, a number of personnel trained as Joint Fires Observers (JFO’s) the previous year deployed to Waiouru Military Training Area to practise Type 2 Close Air Support procedures with the Australian and New Zealand Joint Terminal Attack Controllers (JTACs).

While the majority of JFO’s came from 16 Field Regiment, including two officers from the AFO course; qualified personnel from other units also joined in the training. Prior to deploying to Waiouru, revision training was conducted in the simulation centre at Linton Camp with JTAC instructors from 4 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).

JFO’s are trained to call Type 2 and 3 as well as Emergency CAS, in the absence of specialist JTACS on the ground, although final clearance authority to engage remains with a JTAC who would monitor radio net from another location. JFO’s are trained to call in CAS missions, collate and send target information and conduct target talk on direct with the pilots.

In Waiouru, the JFO’s had the opportunity to direct two RAAF F/A-18’s in a number of medium level dry and Laser Guided Training Bomb sorties. This was the first opportunity for the JFO’s to practise with jets as all previous training was either simulation based or with the RNZAF CT4 aircraft.

JFO qualification is a new capability for the NZDF and one that is recognised and utilised by coalition forces daily in theatres around the world.

sergeants samuel Dermody (left) and Timothy bernard discuss proceedings.

Lieutenants Matt Cross, brent Morris and Captain stuart Tylee observe the target area.


Canterbury journalism student Helena de Reus recently spent three weeks following the activities of Queen Alexandra’s Mounted Rifles (QAMR) personnel during Exercise Jordan. It was, she found, all about getting out of her comfort zone.

From day one driving to Burnham Military Camp feeling nervous and having absolutely no idea what I was doing, to climbing into a Light Armoured Vehicle (LAV) for a three and a half hour drive to Tekapo, accompanying QAMR as an embedded journalist kept me on my toes as I tried to balance ethics – yes, journalists have ethics – with having a good time.

Being a civilian in a military camp is a strange experience. My civilian dress — which primarily consists of blue track pants and a black puffer jacket — does not exactly blend in among the green and brown camouflage gear of the military. However not having to do sentry, kitchen clean-up and other duties is a bonus. Oh, and sleeping in now and then.

The exercise in Tekapo is one of the few chances the Squadron gets to conduct some LAV live firing. And it’s impressive. All seven LAVs zero targets from 1200 metres before moving on to the static firing range where they shoot at groups of drums and cardboard targets. With muffs clamped over my ears, each shot of the 25mm Bushmaster cannon shakes the ground and shakes my bones. I get a huge rush as each cannon blast echoes and the smell of gunpowder lingers in the air.

Some rounds are accompanied by a streak of orange as they burst from the turret. These tracer rounds make it easy to see each shot and, to be honest, they look pretty cool against the backdrop of the snowy range.

In pairs the LAVs react to a mock ambush and both LAVs have a number of targets to neutralise while on the move. Close behind is the Range Conducting Officer (RCO) LAV, advising the crews and ensuring safety rules are adhered to. Following in a Light Operational Vehicle (LOV), phrases like “contact with enemy vehicles” and “target” crackle over the radio as each shot reverberates across the range.

Lavs, Lovs anD LIve fIrInG – tHree weeKs wItH Qamr

a Lov makes its way through the Tekapo snow.

Live firing.


The snow provides a challenge for both the LAVs and the LOV as the vehicles struggle to gain traction. Ahead is a steep slope and the LAVs slip and slide back down the hill as their weight drags them down. Watching the LAVs attempt to get up the hill I feel a bit apprehensive as we approach the bottom of the slope.

Taking a run up, the LOV advances and I brace myself for the wild ride ahead of us. Charging through the snow, we sway from side to side as the LOV weaves a path up the rise. Although the wheels slip and I think we are on the verge of rolling backwards the LOV makes it up the hill in one go. I look behind me at the rise we just conquered. It’s an exhilarating feeling and I can’t help but feel a bit smug that we made it on our first attempt.

I manage to get in a LAV for the second round of stab runs. The LAV is unlike any other vehicle I have been in. Almost every space seems to have some kind of equipment; bags, helmets, cables, and packed lunches.

The ride is surprisingly smooth apart from the jolting as the LAV brakes and drives over potholes and the occasional rock buried in the snow. I hear the deep whine of the engine which seems loud at first but after 10 minutes it seems to fade into a quiet hum. The driver is guided by the commander who warns of potholes, rocks and approaching targets. It’s quite comforting to know that at least two pairs of eyes are guiding this large vehicle through the snowy terrain, particularly as we approach the same hill that proved to be a challenge for the previous pair of LAVs.

Unlike the LOV, the LAV’s first attempts to go up the large hill fail. The wheels struggle to gain traction and slip on the snowy incline causing the whole vehicle to lean back. I am thankful for the seatbelt pinning me in place as we all tilt with the LAV. The commander directs the driver to reverse back down the hill and to approach the slope again. Hoping my confidence in the crew is not unfounded, I listen as the commander instructs the driver to take a hard left while maintaining speed in order to have enough momentum to make it up the slope.

I hold my breath as the LAV begins to lean again, grunting as it struggles up the hill, wheels slipping. The commander continues to issue directions and the LAV finally drags itself up the slope. At the top of the rise the LAV opens fire on six targets causing me to jump in surprise. The ammunition clinks as the crew reloads and despite being encased in thick metal, I feel each shot in my bones as the gunner shouts out his intentions and results. The drive back is much quicker and in no time at all I am back at the start point, clambering out of the LAV and into the LOV to do it all over again.

Arriving at Waiouru Military Camp a week later, QAMR and its attached personnel are based at the old QAMR headquarters. During the five days officer cadets and the hunter-killer force are deployed in the field, all units rely heavily on communications with each other and the control post back at camp.

The walls of the command post (CP) are dotted with intelligence on the enemy, the officer cadets. Weather, weapons and other details of cadets’ sections are constantly updated as units in the field call in any information they gather. The CP is busy with the constant sounds of static from the radios, voices crackling over the radio, and ring tones on cell phones. It seems to me like there is always something happening here and when it is quiet, it is the calm before the storm. Then the CP bursts into life again, the radios crackling furiously and people coming and going.

Key players crouch over a map and act out their changes in positions and what they plan to do in that area. Different shaped blocks, plastic army men and paper planes are used to mark units on the map drawn in chalk on the floor of the hangar. The map stays on the hangar floor for the entire week with the blocks shifting periodically. This may or may not correspond to the location of units in the field, but I guess I will never know for sure.

Those paper planes covered a surprising amount of that map. I manage to get rides in two Cessna planes. Take-off is a whole lot bumpier than your usual passenger plane but the view is worth it. Each gust of wind sways the plane but the pilot seems to have it under control. All eyes are on the lookout for insurgents (officer cadets) but looking through binoculars doesn’t actually help spot movement to my inexpert eyes.

We spot a few groups of officer cadets trying to avoid detection, and even catch a few completely by surprise. As we orbit the officer cadets, I discover I’m not a huge fan of this circling business and I spend the rest of the flight in a nausea-induced haze. Despite the queasiness, the flight is amazing and spotting the camouflaged soldiers in hiding is rewarding.

It’s easy to lose track of what time and even what day it is with the Army. Being in the field can cause time to both drag and fly. The entire morning can pass in the back of a LAV and 10 minutes can drag while sitting in a CP or on a range. As an embedded journalist with QAMR, I have met a bunch of new people doing a job I knew nothing about. By the time I leave, I’m not getting lost around either camps, I have learned more than 30 acronyms – just about the Army.

And I have discovered it’s a pretty long drive from Burnham to Waiouru.

"tHe eXerCIse In teKaPo Is one of tHe few CHanCes tHe sQuaDron Gets to ConDuCt some Lav LIve fIrInG. anD It’s ImPressIve."

a Lav on the move. Target practice above, and below.

soldiers disembark from the rnZaF iroquois.

Canadian soldier on exchange fires the M72.

a south island sunrise.


seLf resILIenCe testeD In aumanGea

CourseThirty three Regular and Reserve soldiers from most trades in the New Zealand Army gathered in Burnham to begin the five week pilot Ranger-type or ‘Aumangea’ Course on 3 May.

Ranks ranged from Private to Lieutenant Colonel, most driven to the course by curiosity, the unknown and a thirst for a personal challenge; all gained something out of it.

The course, based on a Ranger- type concept, would succeed in challenging all who started, says former Land Component Sergeant Major, Warrant Officer Class One Danny Broughton who helped set up the course on behalf of the Land Component Commander.

“Every ounce of willpower and every drop of determination was wrenched from the participants as they took on activities ranging from yoga, close quarter combat and a longest day type challenge with a 35kg pack.“

Soldiers weren’t aware of any structure, programme, or way of knowing what would hit them next as they went through the course,often placed in confusing situations in line with the

course’s ethos of making decisions under pressure.Questions such as “When will I eat and where will I sleep?” and “How far will I walk today?”

were asked of the course participants over the five weeks.“Having to think smart, improvise, deal with the unknown and innovate were key to surviving

through the course,” WO1 Broughton says.“Aumangea is about personal development and stretching your ability to lead others and

yourself. It will challenge you and force you to do things you never thought possible.”There will be another Aumangea course later this year and participants keen to see if they

are up to the challenge should contact WO1 Peter Bowyer, Land Component Sergeant Major via email or on 021780001.

“Have a talk to those who have been there,” Broughton says.“It will bring the best out of you, or break you.”

Photos courtesy John Kirk-anderson, The Press.

20armyPeoPLeIssue 411 | 20 juLy 2010

"every ounCe of wILLPower anD every DroP of

DetermInatIon was wrenCHeD from tHe PartICIPants"

armyPeoPLe21Issue 411 | 20 juLy 2010

by Carey ClementsSoldiers from Bravo Company, 7 Wellington, Hawkes Bay Battalion formed a Quarter Guard at Trentham Military Camp recently to honour the deeds of a former Wellington Infantry Regiment Officer from World War One.

The parade commemorated Captain R K Nicol, MC, one of the lesser-known decorated New Zealand soldiers from the Great War who died on August 5 1918 in Persia while trying against huge odds to recover ammunition in order to assist in the evacuation of the Assyrian people who were moving away from hostile action. At the time Captain Nicol was attached to the Dunster Force.

After the parade had been inspected, addresses were given by a spokesman representing the small Wellington-based Assyrian community and by the Commanding Officer of TRSB, Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Piercy, who spoke of CAPT Nicol’s bravery. Three plaques were later unveiled in the Trentham Memorial Chapel from the Nicol family, the Assyrian community and another which detailed the events in Persia. The plaques will now stay mounted inside the chapel as a permanent reminder of CAPT Nicol’s bravery.

The parade was also attended by the Member of Parliament for Rimutaka, Mr Chris Hipkins and by the Mayor of Upper Hutt, Mr Wayne Guppy.

soLdiers rememBer greaT War Hero

did you knoW you can march on the ice?

pLay rugBy For the ice BLacks? unLoad ships onto an ice jetty? these days that’s more LikeLy to Be a Boeing than a Boat.

think oF the scenery you WiLL see. the nZdF has Been an important part oF neW ZeaLand’s commitment to antarctica For nearLy 60 years.

and We do get to make some good mates doWn there.

so iF you’D LiKe To be ParT oF THe TeaM aT sCoTT base or MCMurDo, ConTaCT your CHain oF CoMManD To MaKe sure you’re ParT oF THe ToP TeaM aT THe boTToM oF THe WorLD THis suMMer.

anTarCTiCa WITH THE NZDF

bravo Company soldiers form a quarter guard in honour of war hero Captain r K nicol MC.

World War one hero Captain rK nicol,MC.young members of the assyrian community find something of special interest at the camp.

22armyPeoPLeIssue 411 | 20 juLy 2010

CrossworD#103

by Lt Col David Mcbride and Lt Col Darryl Tong, rnZaMCNoise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) is not a new phenomenon—the effects of noise were known to the ancient Egyptians and has been a problem for the military ever since. There are numerous articles in scientific literature that discuss the problem, and there is even a text book on noise and military service. Soldiering is a noisy business by any standard.

NIHL is traditionally more common in some branches than; most notably infantry, gunners, and armour. The risk depends on the energy of the noise or noise dose, measured by the intensity and the duration of exposure. Noise intensity levels are measured in decibels (dB) with “normal” conversational speech at approximately 65dB, a good argument at 85 or so, and an experienced Drill NCO capable of 100 dB on a good day. The upper limit of “safe” noise exposure is generally accepted at 85dB over eight hours, and if you are exposed for shorter periods the noise can be louder, with a three dB(A) increase halving the duration : 88 dB(A) for 4, 91 dB(A) for 2, 94 for two and so on. Any prolonged exposure to levels above 85 dB(A) for eight hours increases the risk of developing NIHL.

Loss of hearing occurs when the delicate hair cells in the inner ear (that converts vibrations to electrical signals to the brain which interprets these signals as sound) are damaged by loud noise, which can cause immediate damage. Not surprisingly, small arms fire and artillery rounds are extremely noisy, typically over 160 dB. Safe duration? Thousandths of a second! At these levels, and without adequate hearing protection, NIHL is more of a probability than a possibility. The problem is that it starts to happen quickly, but takes a while to notice and by then it is too late. In one independent review up to a quarter of US troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan were reported as having some degree of NIHL due to small arms fire, explosive blasts and other noise.

Because NIHL is irreversible, most military nations, including New Zealand, have hearing conservation programmes (HCPs). Our programme can be found on the Intranet. Finland and

Canada are good examples of where the HCP has been shown to work: a study of the HCP in the Finnish Army showed that hearing tests among NCOs and Officers improved between two study periods when the HCP was given a high profile. These HCPs are important for new recruits who learn about NIHL early in their training.

General Sir Charles Guthrie, Chief of Defence Staff in the UK in 2001, was extremely worried about the attitude of the Ministry of Defence to noise, stating that the "creeping advance" of health and safety legislation affecting the Armed Forces was creating a climate of "risk aversion". However, health and safety is about risk management, not aversion and more about force protection than avoidance of the issue. We identify our tactical risks very carefully, including strengths and weaknesses, and a deaf soldier will not be on the “strengths” side of the mission analysis equation. That is why there are medical standards for hearing – a grading of H2 or H3 really does mean something, and there are too many of us out there with that grading.

Risk management should start with reduction of the noise at source, but silencers on a 50 cal really do not work, and, although well designed, a LAV is not a Toyota Corolla. Operationally the main concern is compromised situational awareness—most notably interference with detection and localisation of auditory warnings and perception of orders. What we need to seek is a balance between good levels of protection without compromising tactical performance Innovation is the key in these situations and the good news is that Defence is looking at new types of hearing protection that “kick in” when the noise starts, and kick out again when it stops. This has been a problem because weapons noise occurs suddenly, but new “smart” designs of earplug react very quickly. LAV crew members are more fortunate with “Active Noise Reduction” (ANR) headsets which cancel out the noise of the vehicle but not communications. Early detection of NIHL is also a priority, and new forms of hearing test can detect hair cell problems before irreversible damage arises.

All good, but how is this a two-part problem? NIHL from an occupational standpoint has been identified by the military and programmes have been devised for hearing conservation but what about the times when you are not in uniform— in other words when you are in civvies? This is the second part of the equation — NIHL from recreational activities. A growing concern among hearing specialists is the degree of hearing loss among young people due to iPods, MP3 players and other similar devices. Reminiscent of the concerns arising from the use of Sony walkmans in the 1980s, children and young adults are being literally bombarded with sound at higher volumes and for longer periods of time. At peak volume an iPod can reach levels of 120dB— the range between a jackhammer and a jet engine and devices are turned up to the maximum in order to drown out external noise, which is resulting in significant hearing loss at an early age in the United States. This is not some random propaganda exercise by a couple of dads with teenaged kids—one Finnish study found that up to 20 percent of recruits had a greater than 20dB hearing deficit in either ear as a result of leisure-time noise exposure, most commonly to loud music prior to basic training and exposure to loud noise in a military environment.

NIHL is really not too difficult to prevent. Ear plugs are good, but make sure a medic shows you how to use them. You have to keep the tip of your finger on them for at least a minute or they will expand out of your ear instead of blocking the ear canal. If you are on the range, wear your hearing protection till you are well off the firing point. If you are on exercise and know you will be involved in a fire fight, put the plugs in. Try not to listen to your iPod for more than an hour, and if others can hear it, it’s too loud. The secret is not to give your ears a good work out, they work much better with rest and relaxation and that way, just quietly, they will hopefully keep working for you for a long while yet.

Symptoms of hearing loss include tinnitus (ringing in the ears), pain in the ear, muffled sounds and decreased ability to hear sounds that others are seemingly able to hear.

say wHat? –hearing Loss is a tWo part proBLem

reCoMMenDaTions• Useprotectivehearingdeviceswhenprovided• Befamiliarwiththecorrectusageofprotective

hearing devices• Limitthevolumeofpersonalmusicdevicessuchas

iPods and MP3 players• Limittheamountoftimeusingthesedevices(i.e.

limit exposure time)• Seekmedicaladviceifyouhaveconcernsabout

your hearing LTCOL McBride is a senior lecturer in occupational medicine at the University of Otago. LTCOL Tong is a maxillo-facial surgeon. Both are Territorial Force officers.

1 NZ EOD Squadron was formed in August 2005. Its job in simple terms is to provide Bomb Disposal Teams and explosives clearance capability to support the Defence Force and the New Zealand Police.

In July 2009 1NZ EOD Sqn became the fourth Sqn of 1 NZ SAS Group and now also provides EOD capability to support Special Forces operations. July 2010 marks a significant milestone for EOD Sqn. The five year project to develop this organisation will be completed and the Squadron will achieve its Operational Level of Capability (OLOC) as intended on time.

The Squadron is based in Trentham with a headquarters element and the Chemical Biological and Radiological Troop. Three more troops are located in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. These four troops provide Bomb Disposal Teams and explosives clearance capability to support the New Zealand Police. On average since 2005, the unit has conducted 730

operational tasks annually. These tasks range from recovering granddad’s old WWII grenade, recovering and destroying commercial explosives/ammunition through to rendering safe Improvised Explosives Devices (IED) in support of police operations.

Squadron personnel have also deployed on a number of overseas missions including various deployments in Afghanistan and closer to home in the Pacific region.

1NZ EOD Squadron continues to develop its current capabilities, in particular its personnel, to ensure we can provide professional EOD services to the NZDF and the public of New Zealand.

If you are interested in, or want more information on this unique and highly professional capability contact the 1 NZ EOD Sqn on DTelN 347 7167.

eXPLosIve orDnanCe DIsPosaL (eoD) sQn – uPDate

armyPeoPLe23Issue 411 | 20 juLy 2010

by Warrant officer Class Two Henry WichmanHauraki Battalion and Auckland North soldiers combined to conduct their first Self Leadership workshop over a weekend at the end of June.

The workshop was co-ordinated by the Regimental Sergeant Major 6 Hauraki Battalion, Warrant Officer Class One James Dawson and was in line with a key intent of the Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Julian Sewell to develop leadership and to embrace the Army Leadership Framework (ALF).

In his opening address to the course LTCOL Sewell discussed the importance of leadership to our organisation and using a story from his past highlighted why ethos and values form the foundation building block for developing successful leadership.

As a facilitator who has worked at both the Lead Teams and Lead Leaders level, I was very impressed with the level of discussion that came from our Territorial Force Privates. These

soldiers’ perspectives on leadership brought some of the best discussions I’ve heard and reaffirmed to me the benefits the Territorial Force brings to our Army through having soldiers whose backgrounds and professions are wide ranging.

It also reaffirmed that our Private soldiers are smart and deserve our respect and the highest standards of leadership. Additionally, we should not underestimate the generally quiet and less assuming soldiers that we lead, for these are often our thinkers and reflectors. Some of the best “trains of thought” I heard during the weekend came from soldiers who in the past I’ve hardly heard say “boo” There’s a lesson there.

Lastly, in acknowledging our Commanders who addressed the issue of improving leadership within Army and brought to us the ALF, give yourselves a pat on the back, your display of wisdom is strengthening our organisation now and will continue to into the future.

by Lance Corporal rick HendersonThe 32 strong band of the 7th Wellington (City of Wellington's Own) and Hawke's Bay Battalion, won a Gold Award and Best Entertaining Band out of 13 Bands, at the 2010 Feilding Festival of Bands in May.

The festival provided an opportunity for the band to benchmark against the best of the Brass and Symphonic/Concert Bands from the lower North Island.

The Trentham-based band last participated in the festival in 2008 but came away empty handed. After Army commitments prevented them from competing last year, they were ready for another crack at the title, this time under the baton of Deputy Bandmaster, Lance Corporal Rick Henderson.

Settling into a six piece programme, the Band started with a medley of tunes from the movie Back to the Future. The tempo then slowed down with a moving rendition of Yellow Mountains before the Battalion’s Drum Corp, led by Deputy Drum Major Corporal Mike Sullivan, set the audience alight with two pieces including Army of the Nile and Glenn Miller’s St Louis Blues March. These were followed by the upbeat and superbly executed Trombone Rag. The coup de grace, (for the other Bands competing, that is), was Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody, which highlighted the thorough enjoyment the Band has playing with one another. It even saw Wayne and Garth from the movie Wayne’s World gatecrash what increasingly became a party atmosphere.

Comments from the Adjudicator, Kenneth Young, included “…nice balance—it’s not often that trumpets and reeds balance so well…” and (on St Louis Blues March) “…I think I’d prefer this one played…… twice! Perhaps again as an encore?” And during Bohemian Rhapsody, when the two long haired-louts from the Drum Corp came on stage to “dance” while the conductor put down the baton and picked up the mike to sing — “Well I certainly didn’t expect that!”.

Good on-stage morale and musicianship were key elements of the band being awarded the Gold Certificate and the prestigious accolade of Most Entertaining Programme. The judge attributed the win to the band not only providing an excellent programme but clearly enjoying themselves in the process.

The band has several dates in its diary for the coming training year, including a concert at the Southward Car Museum, the Wellington Christmas Parade and a weekend of training and concerts with the New Zealand Army Band. It will also participate in Chunuk Bair Day and Armistice Day commemorations.

THE REGIMENTAL BAND OF 7TH BATTALION Wins aT FeiLDing banDs FesTivaL

HauraKI anD auCKLanD tf battaLIons CombIne In LeaDersHIP traInInG

self leaders: Hauraki and auckland north soldiers gather before the leadership training.

7th battalion’s band in full swing.

24armysPortIssue 411 | 20 juLy 2010

CROSSWORD

PREVIOUS PUZZLE

BY MIKE DUNCAN

1 2 3 4 5 6

6

7 8

9 10 11

12 13 14

15 16 17 18

19 20

21

ACROSS:1 One who cooperates with

an enemy7 Trapped8 Comply9 War scene of what is considered to be the Þrst modern conßict

10 One who forcibly removes someone from ofÞce

12 Beginning13 Shell that fails to Þre14 Trains15 Fluid part of the blood 17 Group of soldiers19 Initiate20 CapitalÕs camp 21 Boxing division

DOWN:2 Scent3 Hidden anti-personnel

explosives

4 Signalled5 Eye socket6 Mediterranean island11 Pasta dish12 Spread out troops in battle

formation13 Person conscripted for

military service16 Mountain ridge18 Extend

T E R R I T O R I A L SV A E Y B

G E N D A R M E L I M AN I F N T

A T T A C K T A R G E TT O E L

A N T I A N N F I R ES O B ES U M N E R C O R D O NE O I E CT O D D D E F E N C E SS E G C A

S M O K E S C R E E N S

reviewed by brigadier (rtd) rick ottaway“They also serve who only stand and wait.”

New Zealand has an extensive collection of books that record and recount the exploits of those New Zealanders who served in uniform in the conflict of the Second World War. Less well recorded is the history of what took place at ‘Home’.

This book by Alison Parr a former journalist and accomplished social historian, is dedicated to all “civilian New Zealanders who lived through the turmoil of War at home” and did much more than only stand and wait. It records their activities, memories and feelings of an event that shaped a generation and still impacts on post war generations.

The First World War was still a raw memory for most New Zealanders when the Second World War of the century erupted in 1939. The veterans of the Great War were now the fathers of the troops involved in this new conflict. The wives and sweethearts of the departing troops were the daughters of men who came home affected for better or perhaps worse by their experiences in the sands of the Middle East, the rocky shores of Gallipoli and the trenches of Europe. The Great Depression was thrown in for good measure.

This collection of reminiscences captures the personal experiences of the people who stayed at home and waited with apprehension for the safe return of the troops,

kept agricultural, commercial, and industrial activity productive and provided the social services necessary to keep people functioning in a time of stress.

The threat from Japan at the time was seen as real and this added to the apprehension of those left at home. The arrival of the Americans allayed some of the fear and also provided a range of new experiences that left impressions on the people that condition many of the differing attitudes held today towards the USA.

The stories are recounted with clarity from an amazingly broad range of people at home: Women now heading and running families and women engaged in new occupations; Men who stayed at home in essential work and those who made decisions of conscience not to serve; The elderly experiencing the second great conflict of their lives and the young, not old enough to serve, but left with a range of memories from these dramatic and impressionable early years of their lives.

The recollections of all of the various participants have been carefully compiled, presented in a free flowing manner and where appropriate, explained and expanded. This book is easy to read. It is always interesting and informative and provides a means for the reader to quietly reflect on a period of our recent history that has so greatly shaped our nation as it is today.

“After six years of destruction, uncertainty and death, the War came to a close in August 1945. Servicemen and women could return to their families, the chronic anxiety could cease, and the future could be faced with some optimism. But after such a long and uncertain struggle, lives were changed – both for those who fought the war, and those who had waited for them at home. It was time to adapt and adjust to a new era”

Anyone with a desire to understand a little of why we are what we are should read this valuable contribution to our social history.•brig ottaway is general Manager veterans’ affairs new Zealand

HoMe: By aLison parr

reviewed by Colonel (rtd) ray seymourOne should never judge a book by its cover. In the case of John Gray’s 'From the Uttermost Ends of the Earth', one can! From the moment I unwrapped this book from its packaging I knew that it was a winner. The selection for the dustcover of the painting by George Butler entitled the “Capture of the Walls of Le Quesnoy ” is ideal. It is of that magnificent feat by Major Harold Barrowclough’s 4th Rifles when 2Lt Kerr and 2Lt Averill, followed by their platoon members, stormed the ramparts of the embattled village of Le Quesnoy. The village was home to a substantial civilian population that had been held captive by the Germans for over four years, who were then released.

But what is more significant is that exactly one week after the capture of this fortified village, the white flag had been raised by the Germans and an armistice was finally declared. The Great War was over – and now our men could see that they might ‘be home by Christmas’. In the eight months that the New Zealand Division had been attached to the British IV Corps, commanded by Lieutenant General Sir G.M.Harper, our Division’s results were impressive – 287 officers and 8,745 other ranks had been captured along with 1,419 machine guns, three tanks and much other material. This magnificent book is that story – and many more.

Gray’s book has been a “labour of love” and Chris Pugsley, in his foreword, releases a snippet of information that suggests that this book certainly has been a labour of love by noting that the script had been in the making for about ten years. Gray, in his preface, tells us that his book had its genesis as a diary that he kept on an early journey he had made to follow the footsteps of three of his uncles who had served on the Western Front, and survived.

And so the finished product is this ‘jewel’ and now should be well established in the library of New Zealand’s military history. It is a comprehensive history, not quite day-by-day, but certainly battle-by-battle and this has allowed Gray to drill down into exactly what happened and tell us where it happened, why it happened and what the results were from the activity. And he tells it as it was. There are no cover-ups and where he has had

to, he has called ‘a spade a spade’. I especially enjoyed his vignettes on the numerous bravery awards that were made during this period and not only on those who were awarded the Victoria Cross but most other bravery awards as well.

Chris Pugsley has classified this work as “80 per cent history and 20 per cent guide book”. Now I have to admit that I have never been in favour of such a mixture (and have made my feelings known in previous reviews), but this book is different. Gray has crafted this book so that one can now, with ease, armed with this book, possibly a GPS, a cut lunch and a rental car, complete a 12-day tour around the battlefields of the Western Front and see all there is needed to see of just where the New Zealand Division operated. His research enables one to find just about the blade of grass that a particular man fell on in battle or performed a brave feat that earned him a bravery award. And it is for this reason that the guide book approach has embellished this history book. But having applauded the approach, I would have to admit that if I were to do this battlefield tour designed by Gray, I would have some reservations about taking his book. Its quality is too good to throw in one’s backpack and its bulk would preclude taking too many other things in one’s pack. Perhaps the next edition could be a more manageable paperback version.

'From the Uttermost Ends of the Earth' has to be in the “must have” category. Any family who had a forebear serving with the New Zealand Division on the Western Front during World War One must have this book in their home. And every school, university and library will be doing their students and customers a disservice if they do not include this publication in their bookshelves.

Well done John Gray for your excellent research and presentation and well done Willson Scott for an exceptionally well produced book that has been embellished with a good range of photographs along with appropriate maps and all enclosed on superior paper and encased in a solid hard cover. Congratulations to you all. • Colonel Seymour is CEO of the New Zealand army Museum.

A HISTORY AND GUIDE TO ITS BATTLEFIELDS


OF THE EARTH

JOHN H. GRAY


The new Zealand Division on the Western Front 1916-1918a History and guide to its battlefieldsby John H.gray

FroM THe uTTerMosT enDs oF THe earTH

CrossworD#103armysPort25

Issue 411 | 20 juLy 2010

reviewed by sarah Chandler Dressed to Kill details Charlotte Madison’s journey to becoming the British Army’s first woman fighter pilot, from her officer training at Sandhurst to flying Apache helicopter sorties in Afghanistan.

While the subject matter is fairly interesting, from the outset Madison’s first person account is a bit of a brag-a-thon, and I didn't really warm to her. (The book’s cover shot of her in exceptionally tight DPMs should have been a sign!).

While Madison seems to have been very competent at flying Apache gunship helicopters, she often comes across as juvenile and even xenophobic in her outlook. She mocks the Taliban for wearing “turbans and man jammies” and reflects on her actions only as far as to tell a colleague, “I’ve killed more people than Harold Shipman, Myra Hindley and Jack the Ripper, put together.”

When she’s not killing people, Madison seems much like any other twenty-six year old woman, dreaming of manicures and hot baths, planning her wedding and reading the latest gossip magazines.

DresseD To KiLL, By charLotte madisonheadline Review 2010

There were moments I felt quite sorry for her, since she appeared to have the worst of both worlds. Blonde, beautiful and diminutive, her good looks counted against her and Madison didn't fit in with the guys in the field. With the exception of those in her immediate Squadron, she was ignored, ridiculed or objectified by other (male) soldiers.

Yet at home on leave she didn’t fare much better; she found it hard to assimilate with friends and family, and hesitant to share her deployment experiences: “When you get home you’re expected to join in all the barbeques and parties with the energy and innocence you left with,” she notes. (Writing this book, I imagine, was at least partly motivated by an urge to purge what she did in Afghanistan but was unable to articulate to those close to her back home).

Dressed to Kill is written in the present tense (diary style) and there is much remembered conversation, which— since the book was written long after the events occurred – did not seem entirely convincing to me.

Last year Madison (not her real name) made the decision to quit the British Army to spend more time with her husband, a Marine. She has said that she hopes to have a family and could not, in good conscience, continue to fly helicopter sorties in war zones as a parent.

• Sarah Chandler is the Defence Communication Group senior writer

regT no ranK iniTs surnaMe eFFeCTive CorPsK1003982 SSGT JT KURU 12-Apr-10 NZICL1015460 CPL SM O'GRADY 21-Apr-10 RNZALRK1014723 WO2 RD LONG 29-Apr-10 NZICC1018741 CPL TL HYNES 30-Apr-10 RNZALRC1018212 CPL JF METCALFE 30-Apr-10 RNZALRV1015607 LCPL AT ROSS 5-May-10 RNZALRD1017776 CPL C THOMAS 7-May-10 NZICE1015500 CPL KE TIPENE-THOMAS 7-May-10 RNZAMCN752273 SSGT AD WEBBY 7-May-10 RNZIRT1010683 2LT T.D NORTH 11-May-10 RNZIRM1002719 MAJ A.D MITCHELL 12-May-10 RNZEW55818 SSGT MA STERICKER 12-May-10 RNZEB1013496 CPL BT CLEARWATER 19-May-10 RNZALRS1019537 LCPL F PAMA 19-May-10 RNZSIGSQ1017534 LCPL DJ ATKINSON 20-May-10 RNZALRC1006942 SGT AJ FLITTEN 21-May-10 RNZALRN1021879 LCPL CL DUNNETT 24-May-10 RNZALRA1013081 LT D.J MCNALLY 24-May-10 RNZIRV1020644 LCPL TW KING 26-May-10 RNZSIGSW1017402 LCPL NMW TOMLINS 26-May-10 RNZALRT1024437 LCPL IT KING 28-May-10 RNZALRM1018681 CPL SI SMITH 31-May-10 RNZALRD1010669 LCPL GR DIXON 1-Jun-10 RNZALRT1019285 LT B.J SIEGEL 1-Jun-10 RNZIRY1016507 LCPL JC VAN STEEG 1-Jun-10 RNZALRP1021489 LT M.N TATANA 2-Jun-10 RNZALRN1021511 LT J.C BLACKMOORE 3-Jun-10 RNZMPY1006203 SSGT AK TREGOWETH 8-Jun-10 RNZALRP1009230 COL A GRAY 9-Jun-10 RNZDCY55176 COL P.B MCKEE 9-Jun-10 COLM1021556 LCPL DI ALLEN 11-Jun-10 RNZAMCY1020532 LCPL H KAIHAU 11-Jun-10 RNZALRM1026731 MAJ G.L WEBBERLEY 11-Jun-10 RNZALRQ1021651 LCPL SAG WOODMAN 11-Jun-10 RNZAMCP990991 SSGT LJ RUSSELL 14-Jun-10 RNZSIGSN1008516 SGT JA BRAMLEY 15-Jun-10 RNZALRQ1019443 CPL EG FERRY 15-Jun-10 RNZAECF1021550 LCPL NT GRIERSON 21-Jun-10 NZICK1023877 LCPL DL WALKER 21-Jun-10 NZICG1009660 MAJ N.M MARTIN 23-Jun-10 RNZAMCN1020430 LCPL KR MANUEL 25-Jun-10 RNZALRS1017490 CPL J ZYDENBOS 25-Jun-10 RNZALRY1009837 CAPT M.P RENDALL 28-Jun-10 RNZEW991872 WO2 KAN GRANT 1-Jul-10 RNZALRU1021494 LT J.D PULLEN 1-Jul-10 RNZAMCK1001199 SSGT DJ WILLIAMS 1-Jul-10 RNZALRB1022673 LCPL LM FOGDEN 2-Jul-10 RNZALRQ1024986 LCPL AF KAMOE 2-Jul-10 RNZALRH1015480 CPL NE TURFREY 2-Jul-10 RNZALR

PromotIonstroPIC twILIGHt team tenDs tuvaLuThree hundred and fifty New Zealand Defence Force personnel have spent the past three weeks in Tuvalu as part of Exercise Tropic Twilight.

Exercise Tropic Twilight is an annual exercise to a Pacific nation which is used to rehearse and improve the ability of the Defence Force to respond to disasters within the South Pacific Region.

The exercise is also used as a means to deliver and support the NZAID South Pacific development programme by completing numerous medical, engineering and development tasks on the Island.

“Our people take great pride in being able to give something back to our Pacific Island neighbours. Exercise Tropic Twilight is a good opportunity for us to enhance cooperation and relationships in the Pacific,” said Lieutenant Colonel Todd Hart, Senior National Officer for the exercise.

The contingent that deployed to Tuvalu included the Multi Role Vessel HMNZS Canterbury and crew, an Air Force C-130 Hercules, Army engineers, Army medics and support personnel. A Puma helicopter and support crew courtesy of Forces Armees De La Nouvelle-Caledonie also took part.

Issue 411 | 20 juLy 201026armyPeoPLe

by Judith MartinAfter six months of a diet consisting mainly of chicken, egg whites and broccoli, Margot Smith yearned for a cream donut and a bag of lollies.

For the Trentham-based Lance-Corporal the sacrifice was well worth it though; not only did she get the cream donut and lollies, she achieved first place in the Combined Services Body Building Competition held in Auckland.

The 20-year-old administrator who has been in the Army for three and a half years, entered in the Novice Physique Women’s Category, as well as the 55kg and up category. She gained a first place in the latter too, and that took her through to compete for the overall women’s title. She provided close competition for women who had been competing for years, and although she missed out on taking that title, she won the overall Combined Services Women’s award.

“I earned myself and the Army three gold medals— I was so happy,” she said.

Her boss and fellow workers at the Trentham Administration centre were very supportive in the build-up to the competition, as were the Trentham caterers and staff, who helped out with her dietary requirements whenever they could.

“I have now been selected to represent New Zealand to compete in the Asia Pacific Body Building Champs in Rarotonga on 28 August. I will also be competing in a couple of competitions around the North Island in Palmerston North, Wellington and Auckland regions throughout the year, so it doesn’t stop here. My future goal is to eventually hold a New Zealand title and to compete overseas.”

LCPL Smith is supported by the Linton-based Multi Sports Club.

Originally from Auckland, she said she decided to become a body-builder because she needed a goal and a challenge, and loved the atmosphere in the gymnasium. She trained three times a day— weight training, cardio, and the regular Army physical training session.

“I didn’t really know what to expect when I entered the competition, but I felt ready, and now it’s become a bit of an addiction. I’m really keen to enter competitions and be the best I can.”

The pre-competition dieting was tough, she admits, especially during staff morning teas. When the competition was over her workmate Hani Rowe made her a cake to celebrate.

“I ate half of it in one sitting,” she said.

marGot’s journey to suCCess“I earneD myseLf anD tHe army

tHree GoLD meDaLs— I was so HaPPy,”

army administrator Lance Corporal Margot smith at work in Trentham.

LCPL smith (in blue) shows her winning form.

Issue 411 | 20 juLy 2010armysPort27

steP uP to tHe LIne sIX younG soLDIers beGan tHeIr PHysICaL traInInG InstruCtors Course at wooDbourne tHIs montH. army news wILL foLLow tHeIr journey tHrouGH tHIs arDuous Course wHICH tHey wILL fInIsH In 8 weeKs. Here tHe sIX younG men anD women DIsCuss wHat motIvateD tHem to steP uP to tHe LIne.

"I am 22 and a member of Alpha Coy 1RNZIR. I have been in this unit for the six years.

I have always been interested in the physical training aspects of the job and took my first steps into this world in 2007, completing the Assistant Physical Training course in Woodbourne. I really enjoyed this course and learned a lot of practical instruction and basic physical fitness theory. I found it a great opportunity to extend my knowledge and get a feel for the basics of physical training. I would recommend this course to anyone interested in instructing practical classes in physical training.

It was when I returned to work after Christmas leave that a certain incident sealed the deal. I was in the gym early morning dreading the first day back, when one of the PTI’s came in, bursting full of energy and motivation, keen to get on with the year. To me this was inspiring as such an attitude just isn’t seen especially on the first day back from Christmas leave. I am looking forward to the PTI Primary course. I have heard nothing but good things about it."

LCPL Wiremu Cutbush RNZIR

"GIve me tHe Keys to tHe Gym anD you GIve me tHe Keys to Heaven"

(Pta(a) nZ army)

28armysPortIssue 411 | 20 juLy 2010

for furtHer InformatIon ContaCt your nearest GymnasIum, anD aPProaCH a PtI wHo wILL DIreCt you to tHe reGIonaL PHysICaL traInInG aDvIsor (rPta).

“Kia ora. I've been in the Army for seven years and I am on the Primary PTI Course.I have spent the past six years of my career at 163 Battery where I learned a variety of very

useful skills and had various deployments. The people I have met there have become my best friends.

During my time in the Army fitness has been something I have come to thoroughly enjoy and have a real passion for, so I decided to do the APTI course in 2008. I enjoyed all aspects of the course and at the end I was left wanting more. Soon after I managed to get a tour of duty to the Linton Gymnasium and have been here since. During my time here at the gymnasium I can confirm that this change of trade was a great decision

I've heard nothing but great things about the PTI course, but I also know that it will be hard work physically and mentally. I look forward to learning in depth about how the human body works and also getting practical experience in the different types of training systems. I am also interested in the qualifications that can be gained through the PT School, Otago and Massey Universities.

I can see that a change to the NZAPTC is something I will deeply enjoy; it will best support my goals and professional development for the path I want to travel."

LBDR Mahdi Te Heuheu RNZA

“I have been in the Royal New Zealand Corp of Signals (RNZSigs) for a little over ten years. During the previous ten years I have enjoyed my time in both New Zealand being posted to 2 Signals Squadron in Linton Camp, but also on deployment where I have served in countries such as Bouganville, Afghanistan and East Timor working as a communications operator and patrol signaller. I have enjoyed my time working with the RNZSigs and have met a lot of awesome people over the years and have made many friends. While these have brought success for me in my Army career I feel I need to reset my goals for my next 10 years.

With my parents’ encouragement and support I have enjoyed an immense variety of sports, such as hockey, netball, basketball, rowing, harriers, surf life saving, athletics, cycling, triathlons, kayaking and Waka Ama. I think I am a good all rounder at almost anything and everything I do.

My selection to train as a PTI will hopefully physically challenge me, strengthen my mental agility and open up and create opportunities that never existed before. I recognise that becoming a PTI for the NZ Army is a massive achievement on its own. Both soldiers and civilians always look at PTI’s as being the fit and enthusiastic soldiers full of energy and positive motivation. In times of stress and over exertion I will be required to lead soldiers in their physical training sessions. The main aim of a PTI is to condition soldiers to be “Fit to Fight”.

CPL Karen White, RNZSIG

"I have been a driver in the Army since June 2006. After my Basic Training I was posted to 3 Logistics Battalion where I spent two years. My next posting was to 2/1 RNZIR where I have been for the past two years. I have enjoyed both units but I want to further my Army career and I believe that joining the NZAPTC is the way for me to do so.The reason I want to become a PTI is because of the opportunities it provides, for example, working with all types of units, the qualifications you get from the Otago University, the tight knit family environment and the fitness and wellbeing you get from being in the gym environment. After being selected for the PTI Primary course I was happier than ever and it has got to be one of the highlights of my career so far.

I know this course is going to be a hard physically and mentally and I can’t wait to take on this challenge."

PTE Te Hai Robinson RNZIR

"I enlisted into the Army in 2000 and began my training to become a Communication Systems

Operator. On completion of Basic Training I was posted to 3 Signal Squadron in Burnham

Military Camp. I was deployed to Timor-Leste and in December 2002 I was posted to Papakura

Military Camp where I am now.

Being in Papakura for this long has allowed me to attend and assist on a number of courses,

some only available to those posted to this unit.

I have always wanted to be a PTI and becoming one is the sole reason why I joined the Army

in the first place. I didn’t want to go to Polytechnic and I couldn’t go to University because I

spent my school days partying and playing rugby, so this was pretty much my only choice;

however over time I have come to realise that this is definitely the better option. I quickly set

the wheels in motion and now I am attending the PTI Primary Course in Woodbourne. This is a

step that I know will have me saying “this was the best decision of my life”.

I have learnt from previous experiences, to do your preparation to a high standard and take

the rest as it comes, putting your best foot forward at all times. I have heard there is a lot of

theory (something I’m looking forward to), a tonne of various types of PT, and screaming at

cones. All in all, experiences that I cant wait to sink my teeth into.”

CPL Aiden Butterworth RNZSIG

“I have served 8 years in the Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment.

The first thought I had of becoming a PTI came when I was serving in Timor-

Leste in 2008. Our PTI for the trip, SSGT Barlow was a key component to our

successful tour. He was always a positive and motivated figure to turn to,

displaying qualities that soon became infectious. I approached his classes

with a positive outlook and as time wore on found myself pushing harder,

developing a more positive attitude. I approached him for information about

what was needed to become a PTI.

The more information and exposure I had to PT soon became addictive. I

started noticing that all PTI’s displayed the same positive outlook, with a go

forward attitude. I still enjoyed my job but felt like I needed a change in my life.

After completing my RF section commanders’ course I decided that I was going

to give it a shot.

I once again approached SSGT Barlow re-confirming my interest. He and his

staff enhanced my interest, and encouraged me. They displayed a professional

culture with a strong desire for constant improvement. The staff took time out of

their day to coach and provide positive feedback.

I was hooked, I wanted it all. The challenge of becoming a PTI was exciting. I

had been down at the gym for such a small time and discovering such a strong

drive behind me was awesome.

Completing the APTI course was the clincher for me. It was not only the most

enjoyable course I have done to date but it gave me the closest insight into

being a PTI. The knowledge they showed flowed onto the quality training

received resulting in further improvements within myself and even the

improvement of fellow students. I knew that if I wanted to affect a positive

change on people that this was the best avenue for me. I came to realise that

physical activity was but a minor aspect of the core, and thorough knowledge

and understanding of the body and mind was the pinnacle.”

Lance Corporal Christopher Dwyer, RNZIR

armysPort29Issue 411 | 20 juLy 2010

centsamThe NZ Army Combat Shooting Team competed in the Central Skill at Arms Meeting (CENTSAM) in London earlier this month.

The team performed exceptionally well in the Methuen Cup, beating all 17 domestic teams.

The Methuen Cup is competed for as a six man team. The competition is against the six best firers in each of the Corps of the British Army and six firers from each of the RF infantry brigades.

The United Services Cup is competed for by the international teams and teams representing the British Army, British Territorial Army, the RAF and the Royal Navy. Once again the team did very well, finishing 3rd overall.

The Urban Contact Match resulted in yet another third with some more good individual shooting within the team.

The final event was the International Service Rifle Match, which saw all of the internationals take on the Great Britain Combined Services Team. The team finished a credible third behind the Omanis and British.

In summary: (1) Individual Gold: 3 (2) Individual Silver: 4 (3) Individual Bronze: 3 (4) Team Gold: 4 (5) Team Silver: 1 (6) Team Bronze: 4

Out of 240 individual competitors, SSGT Darryn Mitchell of 1 RNZIR finished third overall. CPL Mark Duncan of 7 WNHB finished fifth overall. SSGT Kurt Andersen competed throughout the competition with a wrist broken in two places and finished a very credible 67th overall.

A further story and photos of the CENTSAM team at work will be in the August issue of Army News.

tRio of linton units tie foR 10x1 Relay honouRsby gary ParkesThree units tied for first placing in the recent Linton Camp 10 by one mile relay.

Heavy showers cleared just in time for the field of some 300 athletes to take to the tarmac for the event - part of the camp’s prestigious Command Trophy – without being subject to a drenching. The teams of 10 ran the course over three grades, 350s (average age of the teams being 35 years), mixed and open.

With a second and third placing, 16 Field Regiment joined 2 Signals Squadron and 21 Supply Company with a win each to share top ranking in overall placing. And two teams, 2nd Health Support Battalion (NZ) and School of Military Engineering, tied for fourth place.

NCO in charge, Corporal Nick Wickham, said that due to the complexity of the event, points would be apportioned at a later stage.

resuLTs: •350sgrade:21SUPCOY1,16FDREGT2,HQ2LFG3. •Mixedgrade:2SIGSSQN1,2FDSQN2,5MOVCOY3. •Opengrade:2HSB(NZ)1,SME2,16FDREGT3. •Overallplacings:16FDREGT,2SIGSSQN,21SUP=1, 2HSB(NZ),SME2=4,2FDSQN6.

Corporal Suzanne Landers, a Physical Trainer based in Waiouru, has been selected to represent New Zealand in her age group at the World Triathlon Championships in Budapest, Hungary in September.

“Sport has been a big part of my life, coming from a Track and Field background, representing both Taranaki and Canterbury at various National events. Injury eventually stopped me from carrying on further, but it has always been my goal to represent my country in my chosen sport,” she said.

“Last year I decided to work hard and take up triathlons competitively. After competing in events over the summer season and also at the National Championships representing Manawatu Triathlon Club, I was fortunate enough to be selected into the NZ Triathlon Team for the standard distance triathlon. This race consists of 1500m swim, 40km bike and 10km run.”

CPL Landers, 25, has been in the Army for seven years.

hungary-Bound pti chases her goaL

by gary ParkesWith the glow of victory still burning after taking out Linton Camp’s annual Commander’s Trophy sports competition, 25th Engineer Support Squadron pulled out all the stops for opening this year’s challenge.

All together 11 units and combinations of units and sub-units attacked the four separate netball, basketball, soccer and rugby competitions, taking to the floors and fields simultaneously.

There were a number of changes to this year’s summer sports format. “Almost everything was different,” the NCO in charge of the day said. Among them was the reverting of all activities back to camp, apart from the basketball matches which were played in the Massey University sports centre. Last year the tourney was held at the Palmerston North Arena complex. And rugby encounters were played out by teams of seven, rather than 10.25 ESS emerged top scorers of the day with a tally of 71 points. But that was only four points ahead of runner-up 1st NZ Signals Regiment, which itself was chased hard by School of Military Engineering on 65 points.

Trophies were presented at the end of the day by the 2nd Land Force Group Command, Colonel Howie Duffy, who thanked all who had taken part with the teamwork and spirit the group aspired to. Similar compliments were paid by the Chief of Army, Major General Rhys Jones: “I was glad to see you all having fun.”

Linton sapper unit out to retainCoMManDer’s TroPHy

shadowed by 21 suPP teammate Dave Kenna, "Woody" Woodhead lines himself up for a good catch during the soccer encounter against sMe, which included "J. D." Payne (standing) and the temporarily grounded ben Clark.

an almost "no holds barred" tussle for the ball in the rugby competition's 2 WKsP v 25 ess encounter. 2 WKsP ran out winners 32-12.

Issue 411 | 20 juLy 201030armysPort

a Lav Crosses a rIver DurInG an eXerCIse jorDan stab run.

(see story PaGe 18).PHoto: aC manDy mCerLICH

issue 411 pdf, 5.78mb

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