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A WORLD CLASS ARMY THAT HAS MANA

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INSIDEMEDALS FOR TRADES 07

MILITARY PAGEANT 09/20

NZLAV CREW TRAINING 13

operationally focused

T H R E E S E R V I C E S A S O N E F O R C E , B E I N G T H E B E S T I N E V E R Y T H I N G W E D O

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02newsSERVING NEW ZEALAND LOYALLY AND HONOURABLY

www.army.mil.nz

armynewsThe Army News is published fortnightly for the Regular and Territorial Force and civilian staff of the New Zealand Army.Editor: Lorraine Brown phone 04-496-0225 or DTelN 349-7225 fax 04-496- 0290 email lorraine.brown@nzdf.mil.nz

Asst Editor: Anna Norman phone 04-496-0224 or DTelN 349-7224

email anna.norman@nzdf.mil.nz

Correspondents: Linton: Faye Lougher, phone 0274 862 428 Gary Parkes, phone 027 212 9109

Waiouru: Pete Smithies, phone 027 359 341

Hawkes Bay: Caroline Williams, Phone 021 509 699

Burnham: Alison Comrie, phone 021 557 023

Website: www.army.mil.nz

Printing: Hawke’s Bay Newspapers, Hastings.

design: Duncan Allan, DPRU

Editorial contributions and letters are welcomed. They may be sent direct to the Army News and do not need to be forwarded through normal command channels. Submit them to The Editor, Army News, DPRU, HQ NZDF, Private Bag 39994, Wellington, or by email with a hard copy signed with the writer’s name, rank and unit. Hard-copy submissions should be typed, double-spaced and printed on one side of the paper only.

Nothing in the Army News should be taken as overriding any NZDF regulation. Readers should refer to the relevant service publication before acting on any information given in this newspaper. ISSN 1170-4411

Established 10 August 1959

NEW ZEALANDMEMORIAL

GREEN PARK

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WellingtonArch

BUCKINGHAMPALACE

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To apply for free tickets, visit the website at:londonmemorial.govt.nz

the new zealand memorial

The New Zealand Memorial—Southern Stand—

in Hyde Park Corner will be dedicated ata major ceremony on 11 November 2006.

UK-based Kiwis and friends ofNew Zealand are invited to attend this

important and moving event.

The Navy’s multi-role vessel, to be called CANTERBURY, passed a significant milestone on 24 September when it completed its delivery voyage from The Netherlands to Tenix’s shipyard at Williamstown, near Melbourne.

“The CANTERBURY will remain in Melbourne for the next four months while weapon and military communications systems are fitted and the crew undergo training. Once that work is complete, the ship will be commissioned into the Navy and begin the first voyage to New Zealand”, said Defence Minister Phil Goff.

During the delivery voyage from Rotterdam, the ship experienced rough weather in the Indian Ocean and south of Australia, of up to sea state 8 (which means 9-metre high waves) and near storm-force winds. Project director Gary Collier was onboard as the ship went from Fremantle to Melbourne and he commented that the MRV handled the challenging conditions much better than a frigate, and provided a very comfortable ride.

The ship’s passage through the high temperature region of the Suez Canal and the Red Sea meant that the air-conditioning system was also thoroughly tested.

Meanwhile the frigate TE KAHA, the replenishment tanker

ENDEAVOUR and the operational diving team's have completed their part in Exercise Bersama Padu, the Five Power Defence Arrangement’s joint and combined exercise off Singapore and Malaysia last month.

The sea-borne phase of the exercise included Maritime Interdiction Operations (MIOPS) against a chartered vessel hired specifically as the target for boardings. The Singaporeans and Malaysians combined with TE KAHA’s Boarding Party to experience the RNZN’s procedures for conducting boardings and searches.

On the high seas

The visiting head of Turkey’s Protection Department was moved to tears as he stood at the base of Ataturk Memorial and paid his respects to soldiers on both sides of the conflict who lost their lives at Gallipoli over 90 years ago.

Superintendent Bal’s department is responsible for the

security of government buildings, embassies, airports and seaports, and for ensuring security at Gallipoli on Anzac Day. He was in New Zealand with a party of Turkish Police officials to meet with their Kiwi counterparts who they work with during April commemorations at Anzac Cove.

Perched on a ridge overlooking Cook Strait, the site of the Ataturk Memorial bears remarkable resemblance to the landscape of the Gallipoli Peninsula. The memorial commemorates Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, who served as a divisional commander at Gallipoli and became the first president of modern Turkey.

After the wreath-laying, the NZDF catafalque guard presented arms, then the sound of the Last Post echoed across Wellington’s rugged south coast.

After the New Zealand and Turkish flags were returned to full mast, Superintendent Bal, speaking with warmth and sincerity, told the NZDF, Police, Ministry of Culture and Heritage and Veterans’ Affairs audience gathered that they would always have a home in Turkey.

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Superintendent Mustafa Bal pays his respects at the Ataturk memorial

Spirit of cooperation Ex Bersama Padu boarding combined team

The Air Force has purchased five new Light Operational Vehicles (LOVs), iden-tical to the Pinzgauers used by the Army.

The 718K C2 series hard-top variant Pinzgauers will, once fully fitted out, serve as the Air Force’s means of tactically deploying its communication and information systems (CIS) capability, says LOV project manager WGCDR Steve Alexander.

He says the LOVs will become the Air Force’s “high-tech communications plat-form on wheels”. The LOVs will be fitted with HF and VHF radios for air-ground-air use, high-powered radios for “reach back” capability to New Zealand, and small satellite communications systems able to support local area networks (LANs) in the field, providing access to DIXS and IT-based operational planning tools.

With an expected operational life of 10 to 15 years, the LOVs are a direct replace-ment for the Land Rover V8 vehicles bought in 1990. However, while the LRV8 was fitted with old tactical radio inventory, the LOVs will be fitted out with new TMCS tactical radio equipment.

A CIS LOV and personnel can be deployed within eight hours with a standard capability for up to 48 hours operation. Deployment of more significant CIS capa-bility takes longer but can remain self sufficient for much longer. The LOVs are air transportable aboard a C-130, but will be driven mostly on New Zealand roads.

The NZ Army will maintain the LOVs as part of their vehicle maintenance programme, and will train CIS technicians in driving the LOVs.

Pinzgauers for RNZAF

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news03issue 364 03 october 2006

THE TRAINER’S LEGACY

Completion of the new Defence Headquarters building in Aitken Street, Wellington, is on schedule, with the first occupants due to move in in February next year.

The base building, which is being constructed by Mainzeal and leased from Capital Properties, will house three organisations: the New Zealand Defence Force, the Ministry of Defence, and the Security Intelligence Service.

Fletcher Construction is building the internal hard fit-out, which is almost complete, and the installation of the building’s soft fit-out – its workstations, furniture, screens and mobile storage – began this month.

In 2004 the Defence Chiefs of Services Committee endorsed six "work-style principles" that link the NZDF organisational objectives with the interior design of the new building.

The principles include that the majority of groups will occupy an open work environment, and that, where possible, the layout of floors will be standardised in the hard fit out.

Ample provision will be made for meeting and conference facilities; staff socialisation will be supported with appropriate facilities; non-authorised staff will be limited to the ground floor; and records management will be centralised.

A large conference facility is being provided on level one, together with a suite of meeting rooms. The Defence Public

Relations Unit, the library, registry and computer support will all be located on level one.

Non-authorised visitors to the building will be limited to level one, although accompanied visitors will be allowed to be escorted to other levels.

Records management will be centralised, with areas provided on generic floors for centralised filing. Filing at individual workstations will be minimalised, and archive records will be stored off-site.

The seven-floor construction is L-shaped, with three cores. The hard and soft fit-out design is by architects Studio of Pacific Architecture, who were also responsible for the Canberra Anzac Memorial, and various aspects of the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior in Wellington.

Stephen McDougall, from Studio Pacific Architecture, says the look and feel of the building's interior reflects the four elements: earth, water, air and fire. The first three elements represent the three services. “The fire element is what binds them, and is the warmth – the heart – of the interior space”, he says. “Fire is the hub, the communication areas where people have informal ‘accidental’ meetings, such as around the utility areas and kitchenettes.” Research shows there is a lot of communicating done in these areas, so the architects have provided good seating and lighting to enhance this, says Mr McDougall.

The open-plan nature of the building requires something of a paradigm shift in thinking. “The design encapsulates the six work-style principles endorsed by the service chiefs, and includes an emphasis on speech and visual privacy, with desks being arranged in bays, with several small meeting rooms available nearby.

“The meeting rooms are multi-functional, and sized to allow for flexibility and to keep a simple circulation path.”

It is expected all floors will be occupied in the new building by the end of March 2007.

New Defence HQ

The new Defence Headquarters building

As I head towards the completion of my second year as Commander 2 LFG, I remain convinced that one of the cornerstones of our Army is good quality, struc-tured and logical training. Training is a command responsibility, but without the professional dedication of the “trainer”, the quality of the development, prepara-tion and delivery of the training will vary. At a time when we remain challenged by the turbulence created by the 1999-2002 East Timor deployments, past attrition rates, the introduction to service of new capabilities, corporate initiatives, and the current operational tempo, it is critical that we do not lose sight of the value we place in the trainer.

High attrition during 2004-5 saw us lose many of our more experienced trainers. We also lost many of those who, with time, would have been expected to assume their mantle. It is now our job to rebuild this base. Within 2 LFG I am responsible for creating the conditions for trainers to gain the skills and experience needed to provide stimulating and imaginative training. Unit commanders, and those below, are responsible for identifying and growing those soldiers and officers with this special skill. All of us are responsible for ensuring that these skills are developed quickly, and placed where they are most needed, including ATG.

At this stage I am unable to state that all training being conducted within 2 LFG reaches the standards I expect. However, it is what we aspire too, and with time and increasing experience I would expect to see our delivery standards improving. This will require us to remain “self critical with enthusiasm”!

The challenges facing our trainers are numerous. We must not be afraid to conduct repetitious training, for only by doing so can we guarantee how we will react under fire. Repetition does not come naturally to Kiwi soldiers, but we must be prepared to go back and do something again and again. We need to allow our people to have a few successes in order to gain some confidence. We must adapt our training to reflect our understanding of the contemporary operational environ-ment, and we must ensure we incorporate, in all our training, the new capabilities in our Army. The increasing use of simulation must be constantly encouraged.

None of these challenges have easy fixes; I am constantly reminded of the plethora of issues that threaten to shift our focus away from one of our primary responsibilities. It is only with the professional dedication and focus of unit commanders, and the skill and passion of our trainers, that we ensure we continue to produce the officers and soldiers we need for tomorrow’s operations. That will be the trainer's legacy.

COLONEL LOFTY HAYWARDCOMMANDER 2 LFG

The NZ Army officer who led the first Kiwi contingent into Bosnia in the mid-1990s has been appointed to head the military component of the United Nations mission in Timor Leste.

Colonel Graeme Williams is to take up the position of Chief Military Liaison Officer with the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor Leste (UNMIT) in October.

He will be responsible for the operational organisation, functioning and effective conduct of 34 United Nations military liaison officers assigned to UNMIT.

The UN mission will be separate from the Australian-led Joint Task Force already deployed to Timor Leste. The New Zealand Defence Force has 158 personnel in that force, including a 16-strong team of engineers. The engineers returned to New Zealand earlier in October.

COL Williams, who has served in the former Rhodesia, the Middle East, Croatia/Montenegro and Kosovo, says the appointment to his sixth peacekeeping mission is another challenge, and he is looking forward to helping restore stability in Timor Leste.

Although he has not served there – the NZDF has had personnel in varying numbers in Timor Leste since 1999 – he says he has kept a close eye on developments.

“At this stage it seems one of the key factors in securing stability there may be investing a lot of time in helping establish good governance.”

While he will wear a NZ Army uniform with a blue United Nations beret, he will have little

involvement with the main body of New Zealand personnel in Timor Leste. One other NZDF officer is attached to the UNMIT team.

“We report to the special representative of the United Nations. I suppose you could say we will be his independent check of what is going on, with respect to security throughout Timor Leste.”

COL Williams says he enjoys negotiation, a skill that came in useful in Bosnia.

While he was well prepared with notes on negotiation tactics in Bosnia, he had little time to refer to them. Soon after he arrived he was made chair of the Joint Commission Civilian Executive Committee. He had to organise the return of infrastructure such as water, electricity, and free access for transport. The committee succeeded in obtaining its objectives. “I didn’t know I’d end up [being chair]. You learn as you go along.”

Tolerance, patience, and building relationships are the key, he believes. The Bosnia contingent was the largest to

deploy from New Zealand since the Vietnam War. As well as the large number of personnel and huge amount of equipment, the deployment required the NZ Army to acquire peacekeeping skills that have stood the NZDF in good stead in many missions throughout the world since.

“We were well prepared, but Bosnia was a bit of an unknown when we arrived. That said though, I think we made a very positive impact.”

Reported by Judith Martin

Blue beret in Timor Leste

Originals currently on display as part of the new exhibition,“The Last Post – Remembering the Fallen”

Sold separately or in a setPhone 06 387 6911 or email shop@armymuseum.co.nz

See www.armymuseum.co.nz for more details

RETURN OF THEUNKNOWN WARRIOR

Limited edition printsBy Army artist CAPT Matt Gauldie

On sale now at the Army Museum Gift Shop

Colonel Graeme Williams

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COURAGE, COMMITMENT, COMRADESHIP AND INTEGRITY04deployment

New Zealander Major General Clive Lilley, based in Jerusalem as the Chief of Staff of UNTSO, recently visited the New Zealand contingent of the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) in the northern area of the Sinai Peninsula.

There are 26 Kiwis from all three services in the MFO. The New Zealand contingent is commanded by LT COL John Coleman.

The MFO and UNTSO have an informal and unofficial relationship. The missions have different objectives, but a common goal: to promote peace in the Middle East. Both missions liaise with both Israel and Egyptian authorities.

The Kiwis welcomed MAJ GEN Lilley with the haka Ihipa and later hosted him at an informal dinner and happy hour. The Kiwis in the MFO have a strong unit and cultural identity. SGT Clair Rodwell, who coaches the contingent during their kapa haka practices, performed the traditional powhiri welcome for MAJ GEN Lilley before the presentation of the Fijian Quarter Guard.

During the happy hour, MAJ GEN Lilley informally addressed the contingent and thanked them for their continued efforts and commitment to their mission. Recent events in each mission’s area of operations, their impacts upon each mission, and the changing security situation, were discussed.

MAJ GEN Lilley is nearing the end of his appointment to UNTSO. While reflecting positively upon his two years of leadership, he also admitted he was saddened to have lost a number of personnel under his command during the recent conflict between the Israel Defence Force and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

LT COL Coleman thanked MAJ GEN Lilley for visiting the contingent. He pointed out that the visit was doubly appreciated, as there had been so few visitors to the New Zealand contingent in recent times. MAJ GEN Lilley also met with the MFO force commander and the CO of the New Zealand contingent prior to returning to Lebanon.

Thousands of animals flocked to tents in the Panjab and Waras districts of Bamyan to be treated by NZPRT personnel running a joint medical civil action programme (MEDCAP).

The NZPRT was supported by the Bagram Cooperative Medical Assistance Team, which included two American veterinarians. Both vets were keen to work along-side the Kiwi health team; they involved us all from the start, passing on their knowledge and skills.

During the three-day programme, the team saw approximately 3,000 animals. Horses, donkeys, cows and geep (a Kiwi nickname for a flock of sheep and goats) came in droves to our small tent. The US vets said this was the largest number of horses and donkeys that they had ever seen on a MEDCAP in one area. They were used to seeing predominately large numbers of cows and geep.

Patrol members provided security for the sites, and directed animals and their owners down the chutes. Some got their hands dirty helping to treat the animals; others were quite happy for us to bear the brunt of flying drench and deal with the infested “bot fly” wounds.

“Everything went smoothly”, said Major Rob Francis, the Kiwi team patrol commander. “The only thing that posed a challenge was the large number of people that showed up – which of course is a good problem to have.”

Beautiful Arabian horses, their foals, and small baby donkeys timidly approached our tent under the guidance of their owners. Once they were seen and treated it was not uncommon to see the small donkeys strapped to their mother’s back for the long journey home, which could be a day’s walk or more away.

All New Zealand health personnel involved in the MEDCAP were rotated around the various areas within the clinics, including the vet tent. All indicated they enjoyed getting “hands-on” experience with the animals – something they don’t experience in New Zealand. This was evident by the huge smiles and eagerness to return to the vet tent when it came time to rotate around the areas.

In addition to the livestock, the team treated more than 5,500 patients over the three days. Humanitarian aid supplies including hygiene packs, school and first aid kits, along with vegetable oil and bags of beans, rice and slat were also distributed.

Contributed by SGT Lisa Pomana

Common goal: PEACE

Flying drench and infested bot fly – all in a day’s work

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NZ contingent ready to perform the haka Ihipa with SGT Clair, 2 Log Bn, about to perform the wheroMAJ GEN Lilley being challenged by SGT Rodwell Clair

MAJ GEN Lilley at CP1-F with SGT Duayne Cloke, from 3 Log Bn, LT COL Coleman and SGT Paul Dixon RNZAF, Woodbourne

SGT Pomana attending to a sheep

The days can be hot and the patrols can be long but two Kiwi soldiers serving in the Solomons say they are enjoying every moment of their stay.

Private Justine O'Dwyer and Private Douglas Hughes deployed to the Solomon Islands in June with a 42-strong platoon from the 1st Battalion of the Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment (1 RNZIR).

They have been carrying out patrols, assisting local police in downtown Honiara and helping with external security at Rove Prison.

PTE O'Dwyer, who has been working as a medic with a patrol near Rove Prison, says she has enjoyed meeting the Solomon Islanders and experiencing a new culture.

The hardest part of her trip has been coping with the temperature, which can reach 35 degrees Celsius, and being away from her friends and family.

“Leaving loved ones behind in New Zealand has been tough”, she says. “But it has been made much easier because they send me over the latest Cleo magazine and lollies, thanks guys.”

PTE Hughes has also found the heat difficult but says the deployment to the Solomons has given him many new

opportunities and has allowed him to learn about the history and culture of the islands.

“I was lucky enough to be part of a small group who took part in a tour of Bloody Ridge. Back in World War II the Japanese and Americans fought each other to claim the land because the islands were a good location for airfields. The tour explained the importance of Bloody Ridge, the whole battle and the history of how it quite easily could have gone the way of the Japanese.”

PTE Hughes has made an effort to pick up some of the pidgin language spoken by the islanders during his stay so that he can speak with the locals during the many village visits and overnight stays while on patrol.

“The patrols allow you to really get out there and interact with the local people and experience different things like the food, sports, their way of doing things and their culture and beliefs.”

Since arriving in the Solomons on 27 June, the current platoon from 1 RNZIR has carried out more than 150 patrols to help ensure stability in the area around Rove Prison and Honiara.

The next rotation of New Zealand soldiers into the Solomons, and the chance for PTE O'Dwyer, PTE Hughes and their platoon to come home, will be in late November.

A day in the Solomons

PTE O'Dwyer and PTE Hughes patrolling the Thin Red Line

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SuitabilityThe NZSAS selection course is designed to

identify a self-disciplined individual who has the ability to work effectively as a member of a small group under arduous conditions for extended periods. The individual must be physically and mentally tough and be able to operate independently. They must display initiative, maturity and common sense. In addition, an officer candidate must be capable of exercising effective leadership and demonstrate the ability to apply lateral and innovative solutions in an environment of ambiguity and stress.

The NZSAS selection course will consist of:Pre-selection: During the first four days

of selection, personnel are trained in the navigation and soldier skills they require for the testing phase of the selection.

Testing: During this nine-day period candidates are assessed to determine their aptitude to begin training with 1 NZSAS Gp.

Officer testing: During this phase officers undergo comprehensive testing in written and verbal expression and will be assessed on their ability to plan and present verbal orders based on a sound military appreciation process.

As a guide, you will have to pass an RFL (G1), a BET, and carry a pack weighing no less than

35kg over a distance of 60km in a maximum time of 20 hours. To complete the cross-country navigation exercises, you will have to maintain an average speed of 3km/hr for sustained periods of time.

NZSAS RFL (G1) requirement:- 8 x pull-ups in overhand grip- 30 x press-ups- 66 x sit-ups- 2.4 km run in under 10 minutesNZSAS BET consists of the following:- 8km walk within 72 minutes,

carrying FSMO and Steyr weapon with a combined weight of 35kg

- 15m body drag- 100m fireman’s carry- 6-foot wall- 5m rope climbNote: The final three activities are conducted

in belt order with weapon only.NZSAS swim test- Tread water for three minutes- Conduct a 30m tow (unassisted)- Swim 200m continuously (freestyle or

breaststroke)- Swim 15m underwater and recover two

objectsNote: All phases of the swim test are

conducted in DPM trousers and shirt.

NavigationNavigation is the medium used during the

testing phase of the course. You will need to have reached a high standard of map reading prior to arriving on the course.

It is advised that you are proficient in the following navigational skills:

- Calculating the annual magnetic variation- Converting bearings- Completing an accurate resection- Setting and using a prismatic compass- Marching on a bearing by day and night- Identifying your position on the ground

relative to a mapThe selection course is designed to give

you the best possible chance of success. All selection criteria is conducted within an objective framework, where individuals are given every opportunity to prove themselves. For those who pass, the rewards are great. Not only will you find the opportunity to learn new skills and participate in challenging operations and training, you will also find the camaraderie that comes with being a member of a highly trained and hand-picked team of professional soldiers. For those who are unsuccessful, at least they have dared greatly and risen to the challenge!

deployment05issue 364 03 october 2006

It has been over four months now since I deployed to Afghanistan with the advance party of the Kiwi contingent, enthusiastic and keen to make our mark during the summer rotation.

As the logistics officer for the contingent, I have faced many challenges, including coming from the naval logistic school of thought. Fortunately, I had passed the Army Intermediate Logistic Ops course the year before deploying, so many of the terms used in this land-locked mission were not completely lost on me. Also, working in HQ JFNZ’s Logistics Branch before the deployment had prepared me a little for logistic obstacles I would face.

Operating in Afghanistan is a unique opportunity, which has taught me a lot. I have been fortunate to lead a fine group of men and women from the three services of the New Zealand Defence Force, who are representing New Zealand every day with courage, commitment and integrity.

In the logistic cell, I co-ordinate with senior non-commissioned officers (SNCOs) from the catering, stores and workshops functions to provide the support our contingent needs to make the operation viable and successful. If any of these areas were to stop, the operation would eventually have to cease – this makes my job highly visible to the contingent command, and good communication is always necessary.

During my time here I have been able to visit the famous Bamian Buddhas and Gholghola (the scene of Genghis Khan’s 1222 slaughter of everyone who lived here, including animals), and establish myself as somewhat of a tour guide to those places. I have also been fortunate to travel to our western and northern regions, and see some of what our patrols operate in and meet some of the locals. I would highly recommend this position to future logistics officers, as this country, its people and their culture, certainly bring you out of the textbook environment and to the forefront of the logistic profession.

As with all deployed personnel, there have been highs and lows; however, on reflection I have valued these experiences because they have all taught me lessons, and will help me achieve one of my other goals – being the supply officer on board the Navy’s new multi-role vessel. This vessel will be a true three services, one force platform, in which the NZDF will achieve the objectives the Government has set for us.

I have made many good friends here from the other services; we all have our differences but are united by our values, shared experience and our commitment to help make this a better world.

Contributed by LT Timothy Gore

The NZPRT forward arming refuelling point (FARP) is a 30,000-gallon fuel site. It provides fuel for generators, New Zealand vehicles used within our area of operations, and the occasional helicopter visiting Bamyan.

The helicopter refuelling team consists of an assortment of personnel who have mainly static roles within Kiwi Base. The key personnel are LCPL Darren Te Whata (petroleum operator), LCPL Tim Medland (armourer) and CPL Jim Johns (EOD team member), who all have had additional refuelling training with the American refuelling section at Bagram Air Force Base. The team also includes Padre Kirsten McDonald, SGT Ben Haines (mechanic), SGT Kathy Spence (adminis-trator) and Mr Richard Walker (financial officer).

LCPL Te Whata says, “It’s been a good experience, not only for the other personnel who assist, but also for myself. Refuelling Apaches, Chinooks and Blackhawk helicopters is not something that you get to do in New Zealand”.

The first Chinook refuel was an amazing experience, described by Mr Walker as “like being in a tornado”. He enjoys the refuels, as they break up his day-to-day, routine activities.

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Refuelling in Bamyan

Padre Kirsten McDonald says, “From the time the helo comes into land we get hit with a wall of dust and stones, something akin to a ‘chemical peel of the face’, until the time it takes off again; as it is a hot refuel, the helicopter doesn’t shut down.”

In addition to the helo refuelling, LCPL Te Whata is kept busy supplying the Kiwi Patrol teams with drums of fuel to keep them moving whilst away from Kiwi Base, as well as ensuring all the base generators are kept supplied with fuel.

He is also required to test all fuel deliveries, as the strin-gent conditions that apply in New Zealand do not apply in Afghanistan, and many trucks have contaminated fuel. In his spare time, he has taken up teaching English at the local Women’s Development Centre and assisting at the orphanage – both provide completely different experiences from working with fuel.

“Working with fuel is a smelly job but someone has to do it, and the experiences I get are worth it, especially helo refu-elling. I find it particularly surprising that the Padre seems to enjoy getting sandblasted during a helo refuel”, LCPL Te Whata said.

Chinook landing at the FARP

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United by our values

LT Tim Gore with local truck driver

Drop in, we’ll be there

The 1st New Zealand Special Air Service Group (NZSAS) will be taking part in this year’s Linton Military Camp Internal Recruitment Open Day on Wednesday, 25 October. Catch our presentation in the Camp Conference Centre from 12.00– 12.30pm.

Nominations opened: 1 September 2006Selection course: 10–30 November 2006

Although NZSAS soldiers are like you in many ways, they have also accepted a special personal challenge. The NZSAS is looking for experienced soldiers and officers looking for a new and exciting challenge.

WHO DARES WINS

cmykcmyk

06our peopleSERVING NEW ZEALAND LOYALLY AND HONOURABLY

who is where?overseas training Programme

nz personnel overseas

Log Exec Federal Police, Melbourne

Post Blast Scene Technician

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WO2 ANDREW TRUE

NZDF has resumed CANZEX, its exchange programme with the Canada Forces.

Last month, Major Stuart Brown, WO1 Wayne McAsey, Captain Aaron Wright, Lieutenant Sandra Patterson, Major Murray Brown and Captain Steve Kupa, departed New Zealand for Canada.

Meanwhile, four Canadian Forces personnel will arrive in New Zealand on a training exchange, and will be here until the end of October.

CANZEX exchanges run for between one and four weeks. From the NZ Army, MAJ Brown and WO1 McAsey, from

the School of Artillery, fl ew to Canada to visit the Canadian Training Centre (CTC) in Gagetown.

CAPT Wright, from 2nd Canterbury Nelson Marlborough West Coast Battalion Group, went to 2nd Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry Regiment in Winnipeg, and will later head to the Canadian Manoeuvre Training Centre (CMTC) in

Wainwright. He was joined at the CMTC by LT Patterson, RNZA (16 Fd Regt); MAJ Murray Brown, RNZAC (QAMR); and CAPT Steve Kupa, RNZIR (NZASC), who were there to observe a LAV battle-group live-fi ring assessment serial.

So far, MAJ Brown and WO1 McAsey have found the trip “really, really benefi cial”, said CAPT Andy Warden, GSO3 International Commitments.

He said the exchange used to be run like Exercise Long Look, as a direct, reciprocal job swap between NZDF and CF. But it was stopped as it wasn’t considered to be benefi cial enough.

“So we’ve started running another exercise, it’s also called CANZEX but this time it’s not a direct job swap between New Zealand and Canada; instead, we identify particular parts of the Canadian quarters that we want to send our people to have a look at and they do the same for us. It’s about sharing information.”

CANZEX resumes

Just over 300 members of the 2nd/1st Battalion, their partners and invited guests descended on the Civic Centre in central Christchurch for their annual ball recently.

Over the last 12 months, the 2/1 Battalion has experienced a very high oper-ational tempo, with a platoon deploying to Afghanistan and company groups deploying, at very short notice, to the Solomon Islands and East Timor (where Delta Company is still serving).

This year’s ball allowed the battalion to “let their hair down” and enjoy each others’ company away from the work environment. In addressing the guests, the Commanding Offi cer, Lieutenant Colonel John Boswell, thanked the partners present for their continual support over the past year. He also thanked those who had helped make the night the success it was; in particular, the 3rd Logistics Battalion, who provided catering and transport support, and the NZ Army Band for doing what they do best.

Contributed by SGT Ryan Eder

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2/1 Bn shows its class

MAJ Pete King and PTE Billy King, with their partners

They shall be my fi nest warriors,these men who give themselves to me.

Like clay shall I mould them,and in the fi res of war shall they be forged.They will be of iron will and steely muscle.

They shall be untouched by sickness or plague,no disease shall blight them.

With the mightiest weapons shall they be armed,and in great armour shall they be clad.

They will ride to battle in fearsome transports.They shall have tactics, strategies and machines

such that no foe can best them in battle.

They are the angels of death.They are the defenders of humanity.

The role of the engineers can be summarised as being to help the Army to live, to fi ght, to move, and conversely, to make it diffi cult for the enemy to do so.

On 15 October, 1902 the engineer section of the Regular Force was accorded the privilege of a “Royal” title and was known thereafter as the Corps of Royal New Zealand Engineers.

On 15 October, 1902, His Majesty King Edward VII was graciously pleased to rename No1 and No2 service companies of the permanent militia as Royal NZ Artillery and Royal NZ Engineers respectively.

There were still engineer instructors in the forces but they were not known as RNZE. However, on the

12 July, 1947, with the approval of His Majesty King George VI, the Governor General changed

the designation of the wartime “NZE” to the Royal New Zealand Engineers, including all engineers both Regular and Territorial Force,

under one designation. From 15 October, 1902 to this day,

“Sappers Day” has been observed in some form or other, and is primarily intended as a

day of celebration, and is accepted as the day when the corps was born in New Zealand.

They are the Sappers.And they shall know no fear

Fri 13 October 2006 Community assistance at the Levin War Veterans HomeSat 14 October 2006 Support to the Levin RSA “Year of the Veteran” Static displays (NZLAV, waterborne equip, mine warfare, plant) and medium girder bridge buildsSun 15 October 2006 Dawn Service Parade, Linton Military Camp Memorial Wall

Dawn Service Palmerston North CenotaphDedication Stained Glass Window Linton Military Camp St Martin’s Engr Chapel to commemorate the New Zealand Railway Sapper units of WWIISun 15 October 2006 The Sappers Association branches in Auckland, Palmerston North, Wairarapa, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin, will celebrate with memorial services and other festivities

For further information, contact MAJ Mike Petterson, 2nd Engineer Regiment, Linton Military Camp

Sappers day will once again be celebrated

Congratulations to the following personnel on their recent promotion:

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stepping up

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our people07issue 364 03 october 2006

Lance Corporal Kelly Whittle, from the Burnham Medical Treatment Centre, was recently adjudged the winner of the prestigious “Kidman” trophy, awarded annually to the top Royal New Zealand Army Medical Corps junior non-commissioned officer.

The selection criteria were exhaustive. They encompassed an assessment of the participants’ trade skills, a display of leadership initiatives, suitable role modelling and the maintenance of high performance standards expected from a junior NCO.

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Two NZ Army personnel may be heading to Japan next year to pit their trade skills against the best in the world, after taking gold medals in the New Zealand finals of SkillEX.

Nine NZ Army personnel competed in the national finals of SkillEX 2006, which was held at the Wellington Institute of Technology in Petone in late September.

SkillEx is a trade competition for people under 22 years old. With the materials provided, competitors must complete a set project to time. The best score takes gold.

After three intense days of competition, six NZ Army personnel walked away with awards: Lance Corporal Josh Comerford took a gold in Restaurant Service; Sapper Luke Boustridge took a joint gold in Electrical Wiring; Private Aroha Maidens took a joint silver in Restaurant Service; Private Bernard Dudli took a silver in Welding; and Lance Corporal James Kirkland and Private Leighton Hamlin took bronze awards in Automotive Technology.

NZDF regional coordinator, Dana Arcus, described the results as “awesome”. “We only had nine competitors across seven trades, and of those seven trades we got six medals, so we did really well”, she said.

She praised the efforts of all the competitors, making special mention of RNZE’s SPR Boustridge “very enthusiastic, exceptionally fast and hard working; very accurate but very fast, very quick”, and TRSB’s PTE Aroha Maidens, who has only been in the Army for a year and shows “real flair”. PTE Maidens also demonstrated her skills to a national audience last week when she featured on TV One’s Good Morning show, alongside LCPL Comerford.

PTE Maidens described SkillEX as a challenge, but excellent preparation for her next competition: the Auckland Culinary Fair, 8 to 10 October. “I had fun and I learnt a lot from it. I definitely recommend it to other people, it was a good experience; anybody who is thinking about doing it should get out and do it.”

Along with the competitors taking part, there were many other NZDF uniforms to be spotted around the venue. NZDF provided judges for each category we had entrants.

Trentham Regional Support Battalion assisted with transportation, 5 Movements Company travelled down from Linton to assist with tasks such as setting up and packing down, and many other NZDF supporters from around the Wellington region came out to support their colleagues.

Chief of the Defence Force, LT GEN Jerry Mateparae; the Chief of Army, MAJ GEN Lou Gardiner; Deputy Chief of Army, BRIG Barry Vryenhoek; the Land Component Commander, BRIG Phil Gibbons, and the Warrant Officer of the Defence Force, WO1 John Barclay, each visited the competitors during the three days of competition.

SkillEX also welcomed members of the public, and about 900 students from 24 schools visited the event. Recruiters from the NZ Army, RNZAF and RNZN were at SkillEX to talk to the students about trade opportunities within the NZDF. The recruiters commented that the “expo” was successful as students enjoyed the opportunity to be able to talk to the young soldiers in the trade, who were great ambassadors for their trade and the Army.

During the next few months, it will be decided whether LCPL Comerford or SPR Boustridge will become ambassadors for New Zealand at the 39th WorldSkills Competition. Youth Skills New Zealand, which runs SkillEX, will review competitors’ results, skill categories and the criteria, and select a team to represent New Zealand at the biennial WorldSkills competition, to be held in Numazu City, Shizuoka, Japan, 14 to 21 November. More than 700 young people from 45 member countries will test themselves against tough international standards in 40 skill categories. More than 100,000 visitors are expected to attend the competition.

Mrs Arcus says she would like to thank everyone who has supported her and the competitors this year. “We have had a really exceptional year as far as support goes. 5 Movements Company at Linton were outstanding in their efforts and represented NZDF very well; I got a lot of great comments about them”, she says, also adding her appreciation of the efforts of TRSB, who provided transport for the civilians, and the judges and coordinators who assisted with the event.

Reported by Anna Norman

Army trades-pers sweep up medals

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Chef PTE Carl Dal Din works on his second course, Breast and Ballotine of Duck, under the scrutinising eye of a judge

Mechanic PTE Leighton Hamlin checks the breaks of a vehicle. He was awarded Bronze in Automotive Technology

Fitter PTE Scott Beadle SPR Matthew Smith competes in the Carpentry category of the competition

Mechanic LCPL James Kirkland services an engine

PTE Bernard Dudli welding, for which he received a silver medal

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SPR Luke Boustridge won a (joint) Gold in the Electrical Wiring category. Here, DCA, BRIG Barry Vryenhoek, looks on

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08our peopleCOURAGE, COMMITMENT, COMRADESHIP AND INTEGRITY

The Hauraki Bn Group may not have a band, however they do now have a march – The Hauraki March. They are the only New Zealand unit to have an original march.

Well-known musician and march writer John Gibbons from Te Awamutu, now in his

80th year, wrote the march specifically for the battalion while Gavin Marriott of Cambridge wrote the lyrics.

In late-September Gavin Marriott arranged a concert in the Te Awamutu Events Centre to hand over the march to LT COL Warren Banks, CO of the Hauraki Bn. The CO acknowledged the wonderful gesture, commenting that John was now part of the Hauraki history. In return, John was presented with a copy of the Hauraki official history “Comrades Brave”, CO’s commendation, and a gold-plated collar dog.

A comprehensive programme of Sousa, Alford and Gibbons was presented by the Bands of the Royal Regt of Artillery, RNZAF Auckland Brass Quintet, the Te Awamutu Brass Band and the Piako Band.

John Gibbons has now composed 30 marches since 1946, including the Rangitata, Onward, Piako and Roses of Te Awamutu.

The Hauraki March

In eighteen ninety eight down Paeroa wayThe Sixths borne a battalion of renowned fameHauraki men did show their nameIn battles these Kiwi gave, all away

Remember Trooper Bradford who led the wayFrom here Maori Battalion and Freyberg cameHauraki men and women trainIn Tauranga where they serve, today

Bay of Plenty, WaikatoCoromandel, King CountryWhakatangata, Kia KahaAcquit yourselves, like men, be strongWhakatangata Kia KahaThe blue and golds Hauraki March

An informal function celebrating civilian and military emergency and medical services was hosted by 1 RNZIR at the Linton Military Camp Warrant Officers and Sergeants Mess recently.

The occasion was to express gratitude to all involved in the rescue and recovery of three Victor Coy soldiers who were injured in an explosion while on exercise in the Waiouru training area in May.

Medics on site immediately applied first aid and, within a short time, the soldiers were evacuated to Waiouru Medical Treatment Centre for stabilisation before being taken to Palmerston North Hospital by ambulance and helicopter.

In all, it was estimated that up to 30 people were directly involved in the initial and follow-up phases of evacuating and treating the wounded.

Battalion Commander LT COL Howard thanked all involved, including the helicopter and ambulance crews who carried out the transfers in a professional manner.

SGT Thomas delivered special thanks on behalf of the victims. SGT Thomas served for 10 years with the Australian Army before joining 1 RNZIR three years ago. “We deeply appreciate the work of all those great people who helped us and also the support we have received from our own families. My heart lies with the battalion.”

Reported by Gary Parkes

PTE Ieru Punefu and SGT Dave Thomas were there to thank the medics

Victor Coy says ‘thank you’

In late September, the Regimental Colonel, Colonel Peter Cunninghame, presented 15 3rd Logistics Battalion personnel with medals for operational service.

The New Zealand Operational Service Medal (NZOSM) was awarded to Lance Corporal Mark McFarlane, 3 Workshops Company, for participating in a Force Extraction Team in Afghanistan. Lance Corporals Berchess Read, 3 Transport Company, and Aaron Sutton, 3 Workshops Company, also served in Afghanistan and were awarded the New Zealand General Service Medal (NZGSM).

Staff Sergeant Andy Garriock, Headquarters 3 Log Bn, and Private Joshua Roewen, 3 Transport Company, were awarded the NZOSM and the NZGSM (Sinai) for their six-month deploy-ment to the Sinai Peninsula from February to August this year. The NZGSM (Sinai) was also awarded to Staff Sergeant Paul Connor and Lance Corporal Jason Segal, both from 3 Transport Company, for their deployments to Sinai. SSGT Connor deployed October 2005 to May 2006, and LCPL Segal from February to August 2006.

The NZOSM and the NZGSM (Solomon Islands) were presented to Lance Corporals Simon Evans, 3 Workshops Company, and Michael Ruffell, 3 Supply Company, for their deployment to the Solomon Islands, April to June/August 2006.

The NZGSM (Solomon Islands) was also awarded to Sergeant Andrew Robertson, 3 Workshops Company, Lance Corporal Gareth Rapley, 3 Supply Company, and Private Brent Clearwater, 3 Transport Company, for their deployment from April to June. Lance Corporal Hamish Fair also received the NZGSM (Solomon Islands) for his deployment during April to July.

Staff Sergeant Alie Henry, 3 Logistics Company, received two awards: NZGSM (Solomon Islands), May to August, and the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, with effect from 21 May. This medal is granted to personnel who have completed 15 years’ qualifying service, and whose character and conduct have been irreproachable. SSGT Henry joined the Regular

Force on 21 May 1991. She has been posted to 1st Base Supply Battalion, 5th Logistics Regiment, 2nd Logistics Regiment, 2nd Logistics Battalion, The Army Depot, Officer Cadet School, 2nd Canterbury, Nelson, Marlborough West Coast, and has toured East Timor, Bosnia, Somalia and the Solomon Islands.

The New Zealand Armed Forces Award is presented to offi-cers of the Regular Force who have completed 15 years’ quali-fying service and whose character and conduct have been irreproachable. This award was presented to Major Marcus Linehan, Royal New Zealand Army Logistic Regiment, who is currently the Officer Commanding 3 Transport Company.

He joined the Regular Force on 3 July 1991. His postings include the School of Catering and Transport, Central Regional Support Unit, 2nd Logistics Regiment, HQ 2nd Land Force Group, 5th Movement Company, NZ Army Recruiting, Queen Alexandra’s Mounted Rifles, 2nd/1st Battalion, RNZIR. He has deployed to Bougainville, East Timor and Afghanistan.

COL Cunninghame also presented on behalf of the Chief of Army, the Chief of Army’s Certificate of Appreciation to Mr Peter Clement, in recognition of his 25 years’ loyal and dedi-cated service as a NZDF civilian employee.

Reported by Alison Comrie

3 Log Bn medals presented

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Mr Clement receives his CA's Certificate of Appreciation for 25 years’ loyal and dedicated service to the NZDF

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MAJ Linehan being congratulated by COL Cunninghame after receiving the NZAFA

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LCPL Read receives the NZGSM (Afghanistan)

SSGT Henry receives NZGSM (Solomon Islands)

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PTE Clearwater receives NZGSM (Solomon Islands)

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Front row: (L-R) LCPLs Sutton, Read and Segal. Second row: SSGT Garriock, LCPLs McFarlane, Rapley, Ruffell, SSGTs Henry and Connor. Third row: MAJ Linehan, PTE Roewen, LCPL Evans, PTE Clearwater and LCPL Fair. Very back: SGT Robertson

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issue 364 03 october 2006our people09

A spectacular musical military pageant honouring the Year of the Veteran and the 90th anniversary of the RNZRSA is to be held on 3 November at Wellington’s Westpac Stadium (see poster on back page).

Featuring a cast of more than 800, the one night only event will include a salute to the RNZRSA, military bands, massed pipes and drums, a mock battle, RNZAF flypast, the 1812 Overture, cadets and vocalists including Hinewehi Mohi with choir and award-winning Canadian singer/songwriter Terry Kelly.

The NZ Army Band, Central Band of the RNZAF and the RNZN Band and a tri-service band will perform along with the Auckland Police Pipe Band.

Displays by the New Zealand Police dogs and their handlers and the Lochiel Marching Team are included in an exciting and varied programme containing tributes to the service and sacrifice of veterans.

RNZRSA President John Campbell said, “The pageant promises to be a spectacular event as part of the Year of the Veteran, in association with our 90th anniversary.

“It provides an opportunity for us all to celebrate and commemorate ordinary people who have done extraordinary things.

“We hope that interest in the pageant will span the generations with families, service personnel and veterans alike joining us for what promises to be a memorable occasion.”

The event will also mark the start of the Ride of the Veterans, a charity motorcycle trip around New Zealand by two Vietnam veterans, New Zealander Alastair MacKenzie and US multi-world record holder Dave Barr – a double amputee. They will begin a month-long ride around the country visiting a range of towns and locations carrying a letter from John Campbell and Rick Barker, thanking local communities and the many unsung heroes and heroines for their efforts on behalf of veterans and for their support throughout the Year of the Veteran.

Money raised will go to the Vietnam Veterans’ Youth Development Trust which makes grants to assist veterans’ children in education, sport and other endeavours. For further information and to make donations go to: www.therideoftheveterans.co.nz

Military Pageant

MUSICAL EXTRAVAGANZA

A fireworks finale will round off the two-and-a-half hours of entertainment, made possible with financial support from the Year of the Veteran Fund and the Lion Foundation. Any profit from ticket sales will go to Veterans’ Homes in Christchurch, Auckland and Dunedin and RNZRSA welfare services.

The pageant is being directed by Brian Inns, who masterminded the highly successful Taranaki Searchlight Tattoo in New Plymouth.

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Veterans/seniors $35 Adults $45Family $90 (two adults and up to two children)Children $15 (under 16)

Tickets for Defence Force personnel are available from a special Ticketek booking line on 04 384 3842 Non Defence Force personnel can book their tickets online by visiting www.ticketek.co.nz or by phoning 04 384 3840

Ticket prices

(L-R) Mr Les Coutts from Kilbirnie a member of Seatoun RSA, Seatoun RSA President Des Wallace, Veteran’s Affairs Minister Hon Rick Barker, and former RNZRSA National President Alan Johnston holding the pageant poster

can now access this and other feature articles on the NZDF website at:YOUwww.nzdf.mil.nz/news or www.army.mil.nz

B Coy 2/1 RNZIR had a brush with royalty – and national stardom – during their deployment to Malaysia on Exercise Taiaha Tombak 06.

In late August, B Coy attended the Malaysian National Day Parade, which was held in a large sports stadium in the town of Kanga. Celebrating 49 years since Malaysia became independent from Britain, the spectacular three-hour parade involves “just about every single social group in the province – from boy scouts to judo clubs to women’s knitting groups”, says WO1 Graham Sweetman, 2/1 RNZIR S1.

This year, the parade was followed by a surprise for the Sultan of Perlis: the 2/1 RNZIR battalion haka. The company performed the haka in front of a crowd of more than 30,000 people, and to an audience of hundreds of thousands on national television.

The Sultan of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Faizuddin, was so impressed by their performance that he granted the company “Visitor of the State” status. Later, the company were told that the Queen called her son that evening to comment on the impressive performance of the Kiwi personnel.

Being a visitor of the state bestows several privileges, as the company soon discovered. A few nights later the Sultan visited the camp, where he was welcomed with a powhiri and another rendition of the haka.

“The welcome went very well – the company again put on a great haka – and then the officers and SNCOs moved up to the officers’ mess, where we were entertained by the sultan and had dinner”, said WO1 Sweetman. The night included the Sultan presenting the company 2IC, Captain Paul King, with a birthday cake.

The following night the entire 103-strong company were hosted by the minister of state at a state dinner. “It was an eight-course Chinese feast with silver service, at the finest hotel the state has to offer, as directed by the Sultan. The boys had a great time; they were all eyes as they walked in, then the service could not have been better.”

A full report on Ex Taiaha Tombak will be in the next Army News.

Reported by Anna Norman

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Haka sparksroyal welcome

Bravo Company conducting the Haka at the closing function

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10our peopleSERVING NEW ZEALAND LOYALLY AND HONOURABLY

Exercise Frosty Boy was conducted in July, in and around the Queenstown area. The nine-day exercise is conducted by the Army Adventurous Training Centre (AATC) for fi rst-year offi cer cadets of the Kippenberger Class, OCS (NZ). It is

designed to help offi cer cadets fi nd where their comfort zones lie, and then challenge them to push through it.

The overall aim is to develop cadets’ individual skills, particularly adaptability, drive and stress tolerance. They are also taught to maintain a positive outlook, maintain work and safety standards, and manage their own learning and development.

Whether it was learning how to stop while going downhill in cross-country skis, or, at three in the morning, deciding what to do after realising the snow cave entrances had been fi lled in with falling snow, everyone’s comfort zone was pushed.

On the fi rst day, everyone had an hour to learn how to cross-country ski before the packs went on and they set off for the night location.

Then came the fi rst hurdle: night navigation. Being out past midnight as the temperature fell to minus 15 degrees, it soon became evident why the alpine environment is considered a good medium to challenge everyone. Some keen individuals fi nished the course in less than an hour, while others were out for much longer, with only one checkpoint to show for their trouble!

The next morning everyone’s spirits rose with the sun. The cadets cross-country skied some more challenging terrain, and then returned to base camp in Queenstown.

The next day was spent downhill skiing on the Remarkables ski fi eld. The day aimed to give everyone the basic skills required for the following days’ ski-touring phase, while still challenging experienced skiers. After a two-hour lesson with civilian instructors in the morning, the afternoon lesson was led by AATC staff, who challenged everyone – no matter what level of skiing ability they already had. Keeping on their feet

BLITZINGTHEIR COMFORT ZONE

ABOVE:AATC instructors LT Brendan Lynch (left) and CAPT JJ Pihema, by night, above the Remarkables ski fi eld. BELOW: CAPT Chad Preece, class OIC, nordic skiing, with the Cardrona Range in the background

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our people11issue 364 03 october 2006

was challenging enough for some, while the experienced skiers were sent down some very hairy black slopes – wishing they had pretended to be a learner and able to stick to the groomed slopes!

The last two days were spent ski-touring and snow-caving. Skiing uphill, when everyone else on the slopes was going up by lift, or skiing down, was an odd feeling.

The weather started closing in just as the group left the campsite for some more touring. Having to call on skills only learned a day before, on some steeper terrain, continued to push the officer cadets out of their comfort zone, especially as darkness and snow fell. The group made their way back to the snow caves for the night.

After about three hours, the snow caves started to close in from snow and wind. At 3.00am, a small group decided to start digging their way out and then went to help others. After an amusing hour or two, everyone had been found. About this time, the sun appeared through a thick veil of cloud, and it was time for a warm brew or breakfast (for some), followed by a hasty pack-up and return to the van, en route to the Queenstown base for the debrief.

During the debrief it became clear that the exercise had achieved all its aims. The officer cadets were able to identify areas they performed well or poorly in, and had learnt how to deal with unfamiliar situations in the future. Taking them outside their comfort zone showed them what they needed to modify about their behaviour, and although the exercise is designed to target individual development, they also found it assisted in creating a tight team bond. Overall, the exercise was a complete success, with the adventure training medium proving to be an excellent and inspiring way of delivering this training. Thanks must go to the AATC staff for running such a great exercise and making sure everyone got the most out of the experience.

Contributed by OCDT Richard Short

CAPT Liz Sandry, in New Zealand on Ex Long Look, preparing her skis for more challenging terrain

The Year 1 Kippenberger Class during the Nordic skiing phase

The team taking on some steeper terrain while ski-touring Finding out what lies beneath the snow...

OCDT Richard Short moving up to the snow-cave site above the Remarkables ski area

OCDT Tane Robyns enjoying his time in the snow, followed by AATC instructor, Mr Sean Waters

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AATC instructors SSGT Andy Cole (obscured) and Mr Sean Waters, waiting for the billy to boil

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COURAGE, COMMITMENT, COMRADESHIP AND INTEGRITY12NEWSWhales, dolphins, penguins, seals … just another exercise

To prepare for the circumnavigation of Stewart Island on Exercise Kapyong Summer, eight members of 163 Battery, 16 Field Regiment, assisted by AATC, decided to conduct two arduous sea kayak paddles. The paddles aimed to prepare the team for some of the sea, weather and paddling conditions they may encounter on the Stewart Island expedition.

With dates set for the last week of winter and the first week of spring, it was important to pick areas that would best represent the conditions that the team could expect on Stewart Island. Therefore, they decided to conduct two four-day paddles. The first would be a circumnavigation of the 150kms around d’Urville Island, which offers some extremely challenging paddling conditions, with the notorious French Pass and Stephens Passage to be negotiated.

The second paddle would be a 155km kayak around the Banks Peninsula. This paddle would challenge the team with large sea swells and difficult landing locations resulting in some particularly long paddles.

With all the planning completed and technical equipment and expertise provided by AATC, the team began the two-week expedition in fantastic conditions in the Marlborough Sounds.

The first day’s paddle saw the team cover over 30km and negotiate the French Pass without significant incident. The weather on day two remained fine but the on-shore winds made for some very turbulent seas with swells of up to 2m giving the kayaks a bit of a battering as we headed north. As we reached Port Hardy the wind died significantly, ensuring a good day’s paddling.

The night was spent in an idyllic spot, beautifully named Skull Bay! A gale force southerly wind ensured an almost sleepless night and some significant damage to several of the tents. It was with some relief that we left Skull Bay, yet the team was acutely conscious of the forthcoming 40km paddle around the Stephens Passage.

In strong winds and some very rough seas, the team reached the passage during the turning tide, supposedly the best time to navigate it. However, with a favourable current, yet a head wind, the seas could have been extremely dangerous. Thankfully, nobody had any incidents and the day finished with a relatively easy paddle as we headed south along the stunning coastline.

Day four was to be split into a long day paddle, followed by a short night paddle across the French Pass and back to the mainland. Again the weather conspired against us and, as the day drew to a close, the wind picked up significantly, turning what had been a very favourable crossing into, potentially, a very dangerous one due to

the in-rushing tide and now strong winds. For safety reasons, we decided to complete the paddle before last light.

One of the highlights of the day paddle – and probably the whole expedition – was sighting a pod of Orca in one of d’Urville’s numerous bays. Four Orca, including a very large male, swam amongst our kayaks and some of the smaller ones happily surfaced within an arm's distance of us. It was a fantastic experience, on what had been a memorable day’s kayaking.

The end of the paddle proved to be far more eventful than the first crossing of the French Pass. The wind really picked up as we crossed and the rushing tide made for some “interesting” moments! The weather dealt us one more unexpected blow. Just as we thought we had completed the crossing and begun to relax, believing the hard work had been done, the weather once more turned into a gale force offshore wind, which made us fight for the last few metres.

With d’Urville Island completed there was no time to rest the body and we moved almost immediately down to Burnham and then on to Banks Peninsula. Indeed, during our rest day we even found time to go down to Sumner Harbour and practice our capsize drills and surf landings!

The Banks Peninsula paddle, like d’Urville, started in superb weather conditions, with a trip to Ripapa Island in Lyttelton Harbour. An old naval gun outpost and now national heritage site, Ripapa Island still houses several guns from WWII and was an excellent opportunity for us gunners to get all historical. The night was spent in Little Pigeon Bay on the north coast, some 25km from our start point.

Northerly winds made day two an excellent opportunity for a long day’s paddle, as they provided a tail wind for most of the day. Large swells of up to four metres provided some challenging sea conditions, but the team – spurred on by numerous schools of Hector dolphins – paddled hard and by the end of the day had covered 51km.

The night was spent in Flea Bay, a marine reserve just west of Akaroa. Flea Bay is also a Blue penguin mating area and they were in “season”, as the land owner explained. This results in over 900 blue penguins coming to the bay to mate, rather noisily, every night!

Day three of the kayak was a paddle from Flea Bay to the town of Akaroa and back, a round trip of 36km. The paddle in the harbour is spectacular, with numerous caves to be explored and, according to the sign, the “best blue cod and chips in New Zealand!”

On day four the team headed in to a part of the Banks Peninsula

that few sea kayak trips ever complete. Due to the large surf breaks, the area to the east of Akaroa can be difficult to negotiate. However, with favourable winds we felt confident to continue. It proved to be a good decision, with some particularly rugged coastline. The area is in stark contrast to the rest of Banks Peninsula and is colonised by seals – hundreds of them! The day and the expedition finished on a high, with a good surf landing to be negotiated providing several laughs!

Safely back on land, the team reflected on the past two weeks and the two completed paddles. In February every member of the team was a novice sea kayaker. Under the tuition of the AATC, they have completed a basic sea kayak course and now have completed two of the more arduous sea kayak paddles in New Zealand, paddling over 300km in eight days. The team can be rightly proud of that achievement.

In November the team will attempt to circumnavigate Stewart Island, a paddle that has only been completed by a handful of people. On the evidence from the past two weeks, 163 Bty has the team, skills and – more importantly – the determination to complete this expedition. In short, the team are ready!

Contributed by CAPT Paul Joyce

163 Bty sea kayak team LBDR Rolleston watches a male Orca

The team watches the Orca by d’Urville Island

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Banks Peninsula

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“Keep your speed up and the wheels straight, or you’ll throw us all over the place”, said Sergeant Aaron Graham, Crew Commander and instructor with the New Zealand Army Transition Training Team (TTT).

This is the last in the five-week New Zealand Light Armoured Vehicle (Tactical) course that trains soldiers to safely drive and maintain the 105 NZLAVs currently in service, by day and night, on roads, tracks and across rough country.

Since 2003 the TTT has been fulfilling its current mission statement:

To train effective and operationally focused NZLAV crewmen in order for NZ Army to achieve steady state

Maintaining steady state is difficult enough when driving normally, but when you are responsible for manoeuvring one of the TTT’s fleet of 22 eight-wheeled armoured fighting vehicles across the knee-sapping terrain of the Waiouru Army Training area, concentration levels need to be at their highest.

Each NZLAV is crewed by a driver, gunner and crew commander and can carry up to seven passengers in its troop compartment. Armed with a 25mm cannon that can engage targets out to a distance of 2.4km, the NZLAV is also equipped with two machine guns and thermal imaging capabilities for all three crew members. It is capable of travelling at 90k/ph on the open road and speeds in excess of 60k/ph across country.

TTT consists of approximately 30 personnel, and, like the NZLAVs that it trains on, runs flat out. In addition to the NZLAV drivers (tactical) course, TTT also runs the NZLAV Gunners course, NZLAV Crew Commanders course, and Javelin Operators and Commanders courses.

Since 2003, TTT has produced over 300 NZLAV crewmen and now, with the additional responsibility of introducing the javelin medium range anti-armoured weapon (MRAAW), it will, like the drivers on this course, need to maintain its “pedal to the metal” ethos.

Reported by Pete Smithies

Pedal to the metal

Waiouru Training area does its best to slow proceedings

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Top (L-R): TPR Timothy Shaw-Thompson, TPR Euan White, LBDR Shaun Baird, CPL Aaron Hilliard. Bottom (L-R): SGT Aaron Graham (instructor), TPR Andrew Leslie, LCPL Jayd Smith, SGT Asa Palatchie

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TPR Euan White in the "hot seat" SGT David Fryer and SGT Asa Palatchie monitor proceedings

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COURAGE, COMMITMENT, COMRADESHIP AND INTEGRITY14museum

In August 1966 the governments of Australia and New Zealand announced that those veterans who fought in the Gallipoli campaign of World War 1, or their surviving relatives, would be presented with some form of honour award.

In New Zealand’s case, the award was to be presented to all members of the NZ Expeditionary Force who saw service in the theatre of operations between April and December 1915, to the female members of the Army Nursing Service, and also to the Merchant Navy personnel who qualified.

Designed by the Australian artist Raymond Ewers, the award came in two distinct parts. The first, a medallion, was given to surviving veterans and the relatives of those killed, or those who had subsequently died. The second part was a service or regimentally numbered lapel badge, this was awarded only to surviving veterans of the campaign.

The medallion (6x4 inches) and lapel badge (1½ x 1 inch) are manufactured from bronze. The front of both depict a St Edwards crown; the date, 1915; a representation of Private John Simpson Kirkpatrick assisting a wounded soldier on his donkey, and a wreath of Australian gum leaves with the abbreviation ANZAC.

The reverse of the medallion depicts the maps of Australia

and New Zealand. Below them is a wreath of fern leaves above the initials and surname of the recipient. The reverse of the lapel badge has the attached long pin, with the service/regi-mental number of the recipient stamped on the lower edge of the badge.

The first medallions were issued to qualifying New Zealanders after 14 September 1967. By 31 March 1969, 2,806 had been issued to male Gallipoli veterans, two to females, and 1,469 to families of veterans. As all the New Zealand Gallipoli veterans have since passed away, only the Gallipoli Medallion may now be issued to relatives through the Medals Office of the New Zealand Defence Force. On production of proof of relationship to a documented Gallipoli veteran, one may be issued.

The Gallipoli Medallion was posted to individuals in a small presentation case with a citation with the New Zealand Crest printed on it, together with the service/regimental number, initials and surname of the recipient. The citation extended the thanks of the Prime Minister, Minister of Defence and the Government, to that named person.

Contributed by Ian Topham

The Gallipoli MedallionGrandad’s Medals – Part Five

The second “casualty” to feature in the new display at the Army Museum is 41383 Lance Corporal Donald Bensemann, Victor 3 Company, RNZIR, who was killed in action on 16 November 1968.

Donald Imlay Bensemann was a product of the Regular Force Cadet School in Waiouru and, as a cadet, had shown outstanding promise. In 1967 he was the Cadet RSM and was awarded “best all-round cadet of his class”.

A year later, LCPL Bensemann, like many young men, was deployed to Vietnam. In November 1968 the New Zealanders were involved in Operation

Capital against Viet Cong forces in the Phuoc Tuy province in South Vietnam. On the morning of 16 November, LCPL Bensemann's platoon was on patrol and walked into an enemy ambush. The New Zealanders fought back, but 20-year-old LCPL Bensemann was hit in the initial burst of fire, and was killed by a shot to the chest. He was one of 35 New Zealanders who lost their lives in the Vietnam War.

LCPL Bensemann is buried in Omaka Cemetery, Blenheim.

A silver cigarette case and bronze statue dedicated to the memory of LCPL Donald Bensemann is currently on display at the Army Museum.

The Last Post - Rememberingthe fallen

The Army Museum Waiouru is pleased to have hired two new staff members: Marie Bowmar, the new collections technician, and intern Louise Angeby, from Sweden.

Marie BowmarMarie comes to us from the Te Awamutu Museum, where

she has worked as collections officer for the last two-and-a-half years. Marie has a university degree in history.

Initially, Marie will spend most of her time electronically cataloguing each artefact’s history and basic details so it can be tracked; this is what happens to each artefact after it has been donated. Once the accessioning process is complete, the artefacts are then sent to curators who conserve and store the artefact. Marie should be with us for the next three months.

Louise AngebyLouise was born in Sweden but was brought up in various

countries around Europe. Her love for museums was awoken early, after visiting the Imperial War Museum in London in the 1990s.

She remembers, “a full-scale model of a trench, with both sounds and smells to illustrate the hardship of the soldiers in it, as well as a model of a bomb shelter where small groups could take their seats and press a button for a few minutes of enemy bombing”.

Louise is soon to marry a Kiwi and hopes her time at the Museum will allow her to discover New Zealand’s military history, learn about the Army Museum, and hopefully pursue a career working on exhibitions. Louise will be working with the marketing, library, archives and exhibition teams.

New museum staff

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Resources Staff, Army General Staff, decided to assist people in the community less fortunate than themselves as part of their team-building programme.

They were to paint pillars at Ronald McDonald House and serve soup and wash dishes at the Wellington City Mission, but the plan changed on arrival at the mission.

Ms Marion Gunn, the administration officer at the City Mission, wanted the team to put the 300kg cap back on top of an old fence pillar at the front of the complex. An Assault Pioneer task to be undertaken by “accountants” – I think not!

Apparently, this “cap” had been pushed off by street kids 10 months ago and had been lying in the garden ever since. The mission had obtained a quote of $600 to put it back on professionally but they could never afford it. Marion produced some ready mix concrete and

looked at us “civilian soldiers” with hopeful eyes. What do ya do?

What you do is, whip across the street to the Newtown New World, owned by Gary Baker, “can we borrow a forklift”? Phil the duty manager and Ashore the forklift driver duly turned up. Job done!

A lesson learned: charity is a two-way street. We felt good helping the charities out and enhanced Army’s reputation as well. Both charities saved about $600–$1,000 of operating money, which will be better used in direct support of their customers.

Contributed by MAJ John Govan

Sappers: GO NORTH! On a missionMore than 80 sappers took a break from activities during

the Corps of Royal New Zealand Engineers sports week to get an insight into work with the Engineer Operations Troop (EOT), which supports 1 NZSAS Group.

EOT members explained the role and functions of the EOT in a presentation to personnel from 2nd Engineer Regiment and the School of Military Engineering.

The EOT consists of a Specialist Search Team (SST) and Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat (RHIB) detachment, in Papakura.

EOT Commander, Captain Andrew Hill, explained, “We were down here for the sports week and took the opportunity to let them know there are some exciting opportunities available for those who are interested. We are in the market for sappers who would like to come to us for a three-year posting.”

CAPT Hill said while engineers had been working in support of the NZSAS for many years, SST and RHIB detachments were formalised about 12 years ago to provide a specifically structured and trained engineer support element for NZSAS operations.

Working in support of the EOT allows the sappers to specialise in search or boating operations, and provides them with more opportunities to deploy overseas.

The presentation included a display of specialist equipment used by the EOT, and a demonstration of the types of support they provide.

“It had a pleasing response, and I think we’ll be seeing some more engineers moving up our way soon”, said CAPT Hill.

Reported by Gary Parkes

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From left: Ms Marion Gunn (City Mission), Mr Dave Lewin (AGS) and MAJ John Govan by the pillar at the Wellington City Mission

With the support of a wide range of Army units, Combat School recently conducted Exercise Phantom Major as the culmination of the RNZIR/RNZAC Combat Advanced Course.

The exercise is designed so that students can practice commanding a combined arms combat team in a wide range of tactical tasks. The generous support provided by the units meant students were lucky enough to command a Cavalry Combat Team (based on W Coy 1 RNZIR), including the A Echelon, a forward operations party mounted in NZLAV, and an engineer close support section with its two NZLAV fitted with light obstacle blade (LOB).

A LOV-mounted enemy party from 2/1 RNZIR was essential to stay ahead of the fast-moving combat team, and realism was enhanced with battle simulation and the good work of the 25th Engineer Support Squadron plant detachment in building enemy trench systems.

The Joint Services Catering School amended the programme of their intermediate chef’s course field phase to allow them to feed the troops involved in the exercise with fresh meals.

With students rotating through command positions, the Combat Team conducted both offensive and defensive operations (both mounted and dismounted), as well as a stability and support operation with an element of fighting in a built-up area (FIBUA).

Each student spent about 24 hours in command. Tasks were allocated so that they forced students beyond the realm of their own experiences.

Combat School would like to thank all the units and schools involved for making Phantom Major an authentic combined arms experience for the students. These include 1 RNZIR (both W Coy and considerable number of attach-ments), 2/1 RNZIR, QAMR, 2 Engr Regt, 16 Fd Regt, JSCS, TTT and the School of Artillery.

Support vital for combined arms training

CAPT Shattock briefs plan for delaying defence

CAPT Gibbons briefs the combat team before moving off

MAJ Sholto Stephens assists CAPT Jason Dhyrberg in model Board Ex

Combat team pauses to plan next phase

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COURAGE, COMMITMENT, COMRADESHIP AND INTEGRITY16NEWS

The Regional Physical Training Association and staff of the Eru Brown Gymnasium adopted a “Fit to Fight, Fit for Life” approach while formulating a physical training regime for recruits attending the new 22-week Enhanced Recruit Training Course, at the Army Depot, Waiouru.

Those who have completed initial basic training often reflect on it with two emotions: great physical stress and demand, and enjoyment. This is still true; whatever anyone says, it has not got easier – its structure has just developed.

After gaining advice from other defence forces from around the world, the enhanced basic training has been brought into the 21st century.

The PT regime A recruit can expect basic training that is progressive and

demanding, in relation to all aspects of their training. Just as an athlete prepares for athletic meetings with a variety of structured activities, the PT aspect of recruit training delivers variety and progressive learning. (See table)

Aim of the regimeThe aim of physical training is to discipline progress and educate

the recruit into being able to work hard and stretch their physical boundaries, to become an integral part of the military team. With this in mind, a positive approach toward all facets of a soldier’s life is also promoted – health and fitness, and the importance of maintaining a positive and active living.

It all starts with an assessment of the individual’s level of fitness: a fitness and swim assessment, followed by cardiovascular overload, local muscular endurance, strength training and stretching. These activities are aimed at giving the individual an education in how exercises should be done properly. This is enhanced by a PTI lecture on “why be fit?”, which highlights the benefits of physical training in relation to personal responsibility, motivation, operational capability and personal lifestyle. Throughout their time in the gym they are encouraged to develop self-awareness and gym discipline, and grow their ability to react to words of command and understand basic exercises.

As the recruits build on teamwork and their own individual strength and fitness, they are introduced to ropes, fireman’s carries, pull-ups, and barrack PT workouts. These programmes, developed by the gym staff, are designed to be done in the barracks in their own time. Further personal programmes are utilised as training progresses, including weight training, swimming and running. All of these provide the individual with a solid grounding in following an exercise programme.

After mid-course leave the recruits are introduced to a more military/operational style of PT. CQB (close quarter battle), assault course training and battle PT activities culminate with the BET (battle efficiency test). The main aim in this section of their physical training is to improve both mental and physical toughness. This portion of the programme maintains a steady and progressive tempo, similar to the initial 12 weeks of the course.

To complete the course, recruits are introduced to alternate PT training, similar to that conducted for trained soldiers. This, combined with lectures on sport in the Army environment and a closing visit from the PTIs, rounds off the course. It aims to give the recruit a sense of achievement at what they have done, and a positive look to the future.

Throughout the course, recruits are encouraged to complete the PT training. Even with minor injuries, they will attend PT where they will be supervised by a qualified rehabilitation PTI to ensure a “fitter-quicker” approach.

To progress through training, the recruit is required to pass all physical training terminals RFL/BET, and it’s an advantage if the recruit is assessed as competent on the swim assessment.

Testing standards to be achieved by all personnel under trainingRequired Fitness Level (RFL)Male (G1 standards)10-minute run – 30 press-ups – 66 curl-upsFemale (G1 standards)11:50 run – 15 press ups – 55 Curl up’sBattle Efficiency Test (BET)The group completes a forced march over slightly undulating ground.

The walk is 8km and needs to be completed in 72 minutes or faster; a walking pace of 9min/km or faster. Each recruit carries a combined pack, webbing and weapon weight of 25kg. This is followed with a 5m rope climb, up and over a 6ft wall, crossing of a 9ft ditch and finishes

with a 200m fireman’s carry. All aspects of the BET must be completed and passed for the recruit to gain an overall pass in this discipline.

Swim Assessment (DPMs)One of the many “life skills” which are assessed during training is

conducted in DPMs and without boots. The recruits are told to enter the water and complete two minutes of treading water, then pair up and complete a 30m contact tow. This tow is a straight-arm tow, assuming the casualty has injuries to the lower limb.

With little time to rest, it is straight into two complete lengths (66m) of the pool. Once completed, the final part of the test is a 10m swim underwater. At no point during the swim is any part of the individual or their uniform allowed to break the surface of the water. After the tasks have been completed the recruit must climb out of the pool without assistance from the steps or a colleague.

The recruits are classified into three groups: “competent” swimmers, “not competent” in two to three disciplines, and “not competent” in all disciplines.

Much thought and effort has been invested into the Enhanced Basic regime; however, the true results will only be noticeable once recruit personnel have been totally immersed into the military environment.

Indications so far are that the training programme is functional, well structured and set at the correct levels for initial entry into today’s Army. Training for warfare is as old as time, and with this modern view on a traditional subject we can provide soldiers with attributes that cement the “fit to fight, fit for life” approach.

Week

1 – 3

4 – 6

7 – 11

12

13

14 – 21

22

Activity/skill

Fitness assessment Swim assessment Intro runs Intro buddy carry and pull-ups

Intro ropes Intro circuit training Continue with activities from weeks 1 – 3

Intro BPT Fitness Assessment Wk 9 RFL Assessment Wk 10 Intro Assault Course Continue with activities from previous weeks

Mid-course leave

Intro, close-quarter battle Continue with activities from previous weeks Intro Battle PT

Intro, Battle Efficiency Test Continue with activities from previous weeks

Retests Intro to alternate PT training conducted for trained soldiers

Lecture/ PTI additional programming

Week 2 lecture : Why be fit Intro Barracks Training – pull-ups, press-ups and abdominal training

Continue with Barracks programme

Week 7: Barracks programme update Week 10: Barracks programme update

Weeks 13 – 22: lecture: Army sport Barracks programme update

Week 19: Barracks programme update

Final visit, overview

Fit to fight:More on the Enhanced Basic

Recruit B Treanor during battle PT

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Cadets tread water for two minutes as part of the Swim Assessment

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Recruit T King during battle PT

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Being “fit to fight” means being fit inside and out. Aiming to make soldiers fitter, faster and stronger, ATG Waiouru has made sweeping changes to the way they “fuel” their recruits. Healthier food options, sports drinks, three snacks a day, and a comprehensive nutrition education programme have been introduced into basic training.

Developed by the Army’s dietitian, Captain Nicola Martin, the changes are the first step towards using enhanced nutrition and hydration strategies to improve the health and well-being of all personnel in the Army, and ultimately increase the Army’s operational readiness.

CAPT Martin explains that by targeting recruits, she hopes to instil healthy eating habits at the “grass-roots level”.

“Many of them have come straight from home and have never had to think about what they eat or make their own choices daily before, and possibly many of them have never had any nutrition education. What they learn about nutrition while they are recruits they will take away for the rest of their time in the military, and hopefully the rest of their life.”

Commanding Officer of TAD, Lieutenant Colonel Simon Reynolds, says the change springs from a philosophy to make recruits “fit to fight and fit for life”. “By focusing on the recruit when he or she marches into the Army, we have a far greater chance of success than trying to change people who are

already indoctrinated into three big fat heavy meals a day – trying to change 24-year-old or 34-year-old minds is a lot more difficult than changing a 17- or a 18-year-old mind.

“When they make a change in their uniform, they also make a change in their lifestyle.”

LT COL Reynolds says the increasing number of overweight and obese people in New Zealand has had a flow-on effect on the military. But they hope their nutrition education programme will curb this trend.

One of the five nutrition sessions is “Nutrition in the Big Wide World”. It ensures that when recruits leave the controlled environment of basic training they are still able to make good decisions about what they choose to eat and drink.

The other sessions are: “Baseline Nutrition”, which will teach the principles of healthy eating and hydration, and their impact on health and performance; “Navigating the Mess”, a practical session on what foods to choose in the mess; “Nutrition and Hydration in Physical Training”; and “Nutrition and Hydration in the Field”, where they learn how to get maximum nutritional benefit from their ration packs.

“We teach them that it’s not just food; it’s fuel", says CAPT Martin. We teach them how they can get the most out of it – how they can use food as a tool to help them stay alert, maintain their performance, and maintain their weight.”

CAPT Martin has also introduced a revised menu. Foods high in saturated fat, salt and sugar have been restricted, and the range of healthier options has been extended.

“We’re trying to create an overall healthier environment for them in the mess, so they won’t be eating fish and chips, and deep-fried schnitzel, with everything covered in butter, gravy and sauces. We’re not cutting out these foods altogether; we’re just limiting the frequency with which they’re offered and making the healthier choices the majority.”

For example, where once the ATG mess was more likely to offer two high-fat sweet options at lunch, such as chocolate-caramel slice and a cream bun, there is now a healthier sweet option, such as a fruit muffin.

Recruits will be given a sports drink after PT, and three snacks a day: mid-morning, mid-afternoon, and at supper. These snacks, such as muesli bars and fruit, will be high in carbohydrate, with moderate protein and fat.

“The idea is to provide them with extra food to fuel the activities they’re doing, provide fuel for recovery and improve their alertness and concentration. They’re a really physically active group, and are on the go from 6am until 10pm, so it’s important they get the right fuel at the right time.”

CAPT Martin says the ultimate goal is

to increase the operational readiness of our troops. “The role that nutrition plays in enhancing performance is not a new concept, principles are in place with elite athletes and other militaries around the world; we are just taking those strategies onboard and implementing them. In order for us to be a world-class army, it’s just another strategy we need to implement.”

Reported by Anna Norman

Fuelling body and mind

Army dietitian, CAPT Martin, demonstrates a healthy option for breakfast

CAPT Martin ensures the recruits rehydrate after PT “Navigating the mess” during a nutrition education sessions

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Living in the bush is no problem for the modern, trained soldier, but take away a few pieces of kit and it’s an altogether different story – as the soldiers of the 4th Otago Southland Battalion Group found out during a training weekend in September.

Dropped in the hills behind the Waitati Range late on the Friday night, the participants, broken down into seven sections of four, “hoochied” up to the side of Double Hill Road.

At “O-dark hundred” it was packs on and an eight-kilometre, mainly downhill pack walk to meet the transport, then on to the Waitati Range for survival training.

After lectures on how to live in the bush with limited resources, what to eat and how to dress game, and armed with 15 rounds of (blank) ammunition, black plastic bags, matches and a rudimentary eeling hook, it was off to spend 24 hours putting the lessons into action.

Left behind were wet weather kits, sleeping bags, bivvy bags and other soldier comforts; the first priority for the sections was to build a shelter and light a fire.

Sergeant Lisa Hill says her section soon had a bivvy constructed and a fire lit, so their next priority was finding something to eat. She says a hastily eaten ration pack meal and a quick scoff of other bits and pieces while stripping the equipment several hours earlier meant she was more than ready for a feed of creek yabbies and fern tips boiled in a cup’s canteen.

One section managed to secure itself an eel, while another hungry section was more than happy to cook and eat meat that had been provided for bait.

Sleep in the dry but cold conditions was a challenge, with many groups reporting that most of the night was spent around the fire.

Back at the assemble point by 7.30am for a debrief, the cadre staff then toured the group around the campsites, pointing out the successes and the pitfalls.

WO1 Murray Nelson says he was encouraged by the enthusiasm in which the soldiers entered into the weekend’s activities. He said everyone learned a lot about surviving in the New Zealand bush, an important skill for those in the military.

Survivor: Waitati

Stripping down the kit to bare essentials, clearing out (eating) any contraband before a night in the bushL-R: PTE Moses, CPL Brown, PTE Gilmour, PTE Rewa

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COURAGE, COMMITMENT, COMRADESHIP AND INTEGRITY18entertainment

HU

BB

ARD

CROSSWORD BY MIKE DUNCAN

CART

OON

#057

★

1. What was the strategic aim of the Gallipoli campaign?

2. How many allied troops fought at Gallipoli?

3. Bernard Freyberg commanded 2 NZ Div in WWII. With which British unit did he serve at Gallipoli?

4. How many New Zealand troops landed on 25 April, 1915. 2000, 3000 or 5000?

5. Who commanded the British forces, including the ANZACs, on Gallipoli?

6. How long did the campaign last?

7. Soldiers from which countries fought at Gallipoli?

8. How many New Zealanders were serving at Gallipoli?

9. What were New Zealand’s casualties?

10. In terms of troop losses, which country suffered the most at Gallipoli?

ANSWERS1.The elimination of Turkey from the war as a German ally 2.Approximately 480,000 3. The Hood Battalion of the Royal Naval Division 4.3000 5. General Sir Ian Hamilton until 15 October, 1915, then Sir Charles Monro 6. Near enough to eight months: 25 April – 20 December, 1915, although the last British troops left Helles on 9 January, 1916 7. Turkey, Germany, NZ, Australia, France, Great Britain and India. 8. 8556 9. 7473; 2721 died and 4752 were wounded but many men returned again and again after recovering from wounds or disease 10. Turkey, with an estimated 250,000 casualties

THE smoko quiz #028

1. Name the RNZAF’s WWII VC winners

2. What was a “Forlorn Hope”?

3. A heraldic creature, ie. in a coat of arms, depicted standing on its hind legs, is described as what?

4. What do the initials RNZVR stand for?

5. What was a ballista?

6. Who invented the time-fused, powder and ball-filled shrapnel shell?

7. What rank was James Cook when he visited New Zealand in 1769? 8. What type of weapon was the Bofors Gun?

9. Who built and operated the Panther tank in WWII?

10. What was the world’s first military aeroplane?

stars

★ ★★

seeing★

★

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AQUARIUSJan 21 to Feb 19I could’ve sworn I had something important to warn you about but it’s gone and slipped my mind completely. Ooops!

PISCESFeb 20 to Mar 20Remember, you cannot scale the mountain without adequate preparation. Unless you use one of those Ginzu scalers which can scale even unprepared mountains. I believe it can also dice, slice and julienne as well.

ARIESMar 21 to April 20Resist the desire to purge on luxuries till your basics are paid for. Or if you really want the luxuries, make sure you can live without the basics for at least a month.

TAURUSApril 21 to May 21There is not much point in trying to talk sense to you this week, and you know why.

GEMINIA lack of attention to detail could cause job problems. And a few grovelly apologies as well.

CANCER June 22 to July 23Dress for success and wear a ready smile. Whether or not people may think you’re an idiot, they’ll be impressed by your snappy uniform and cheerful smile.

LEOJuly 24 to Aug 23Your ability to work well when under pressure impresses others. What they don’t know is that you’re oblivious to the pressure as you’re not quite sure what’s really going on.

VIRGOAug 24 to Sept 23Romance reaches a new plateau. The Central Plateau.

LIBRASept 24 to Oct 23Life may seem like an obstacle course at the moment. That may be because you are putting up too many impediments against yourself because of a self-destructive urge to fail due to undealt-with trauma of your childhood. Or it’s because you are on an obstacle course.

SCORPIOOct 24 to Nov 22Your upcoming birthday is a chance to reflect on the last 12 months … a time to think about what you have achieved, the highs and lows, and what the aliens did with you when they took you away in suspended animation as there’s no way that was a year that just went past …

SAGITTARIUSNov 23 to Dec 20Your luck is changing for the better. And about bloody time too, you say

CAPRICORNDec 21 to Jan 20Have some scepticism about the claims made by people around you. Particularly the ones you suspect are raving nutbags.

★ ★

ANSWERS1. SQNLDR Leonard Henry Trent; FLGOFF Lloyd Allan Trigg; SGTPILOT James Allen Ward 2.The first wave of soldiers attacking a breach in defences during a siege as it was likely that most would be killed or injured 3. Rampant 4. Royal New Zealand Navy Volunteer Reserve 5. The ballista (Latin) was a powerful crossbow capable of projecting heavy darts or round stone projectiles of various sizes. It is considered to be the only pre-industrial age weapon to be designed scientifically.6. LT Henry Shrapnel, Royal Artillery 7. Lieutenant, RN 8. A 40mm automatic anti aircraft gun designed in Sweden and one of the most popular medium-weight AA systems during WWII and used by most of the Allies 9. Germany 10. The Wright brothers Flyer sold to the US Army Signal Corps in July 1909

★

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news19issue 364 03 october 2006

BOOK REVIEWS

To describe Peter Barton’s The Unseen Panoramas of the Western Front as a collection of over 200 previously unpublished, British and German wide-angle, panoramic photos of the battlefields in Flanders and The Somme, taken between 1914 and 1918 for military intelligence and planning purposes, would be accurate. But it would also be a dreadful travesty to the author and a gross disservice to potential readers.

It is not very often that a book can make an intense impression upon a reader, but that is possible with this book. First, it provides a new understanding of the topography of Flanders and the Somme and forces a re-appreciation of the strategic options, the tactics employed, and everyday life faced by the various armies, including our own New Zealand Division.

It is one thing to visualise the ground from first-hand accounts or official histories. But it is another to look across no-man’s land to the enemy’s first and second lines (which, from the British viewpoint were invariably on higher ground).

The second impact that shocks is the noticeable absence of human life (or any life for that matter). It is necessary to remind oneself that somewhere within each panorama there were hundreds, perhaps thousands, of men who, right at the very moment that the shutter was pressed, were trying to survive, if not undertake military operations. The absence of any signs of humanity amongst all the devastation caused by mankind becomes somewhat surreal.

Whilst the visuals are impressive, the strength of this book lies in the combination of words and photos. After a carefully constructed prologue that introduces the topography, life in the trenches and photography in war, the book is divided into seven chapters that run from north to south along the British front line and in rough chronological sequence. Maps illustrate each sector and include the position and field-of-view of the accompanying panoramas. Personalising the text are first-hand narratives written in that sector at that time. And, of course, it is fascinating to compare British and

German perspectives of the same piece of ground. The book also contains two easily navigable CDs, which allow the viewer to swing the "camera" through the full arc of the panorama and also to zoom in or out (but greater clarity inherently means a narrower view).

I have three minor gripes. The title is misleading, in that the book only covers the British imperial sectors of the Western Front. There is no explanation as to why these panoramas have been unseen until now. And whilst I have no objection to the front cover photograph being of German officers and soldiers, why was it a snapshot and not one of the panoramas that the book is based upon?

Who would benefit from reading this book? Firstly, the WWI military history student can obtain another perspective when studying a specific battle. I did a cursory test by cross referencing several significant geographical points that are mentioned in Glynn Harper’s Massacre at Passchendaele with the applicable chapter in this book and came up trumps. Panorama #128 provided an invaluable enhancement to the maps and text in Harper’s book.

Finally, I think this book will also be of great relevance outside of the military history field. CS Forester, in his novel The General, gave one interpretation of why WWI was fought the way it was. NF Dixon in his Psychology of Military Incompetence offers another view. Perhaps, having read this book and gained an appreciation of the actual topography from the soldier’s standpoint, the reader is in a good position to formulate their own opinion, which may lie somewhere in between. It is a book to which I shall return.

Raise your hand if your German vocabulary consists of “Donner und Blitzen”, “Gott in Himmel”, “Achtung”, or “…die Schweinhunde Englander”. All those of you with your hands up were probably brought up reading a diet of Commando comics. In fact, in my youth I was pretty sure that “Aaaarrgh” was a German word, in much the same way that “Aaiieeee” was a Japanese word, usually preceded by Banzai!

Like most soldiers, my interest in military history was first triggered by Commando comics and I can well recall the excitement of finding a newly issued copy. Of course finding it was the easy bit. The hard bit was stealing/borrowing it from whoever actually owned it. I’m sure some people bought them new, but second hand was fine with me and the swap shop was my regular haunt. There were other war comics available but none came close to the standard of drawings and stories of Commandos. I’m not sure how many were produced but I reckoned at one time I’d read about 600.

So it was with great glee that I discovered Commando had produced a huge book containing 12 of the greatest stories ever, 25 percent bigger to allow for the aging eyes of the original readership. My review copy turned up on my desk in Army General Staff and for the rest of the day I fought off the greedy stealing fingers of every person who entered the office, ranging in rank from corporal to brigadier. Based on this highly scientific sampling of interest, I can safely say that Commandos were a huge part of the early lives of 90 percent of soldiers aged over 25. This, in turn, leads to the scientific conclusion that this book will probably be the best selling volume among soldiers this year.

Unfortunately, memories are never the same when they’re reprised in real life. You can never recapture the magic of the first time around. Who hasn’t been disappointed when they watched a movie they loved in their youth, only to find that the magic was gone when they saw it again in middle age. Luke Skywalker is dreadfully acted

by Mark Hamill, the Highlander is not the legend you once thought he was, and even Chuck Norris isn’t the same. So it is with Commando comics. I began devouring my new possession, only to find that the stories, as told along the top and bottom of the pictures, were simplistic, sketchy and childish. The dialogue in the speech balloons now made me laugh rather than inspire me with righteous rage against the evil Hun. While the pictures are still well drawn, I’m not as interested in warry pictures as I was when I was 12.

I read only the first four stories before deciding that my memories of Commandos were best left undisturbed. I will keep the large volume as a reminder of a simpler time. But I won’t damage my fond memories of a genre that influenced me to join the Army, by reading the stories with the benefit of slightly more knowledge and vastly more cynicism.

So for those of you out there who don’t know who stole/borrowed your Commando collection; this is the book to buy to keep those memories alive. But if you read the stories, remember to read them as if you were 12 years old again. Read them as if you’ve been rushing around the house brandishing a wooden Tommy gun. Read them as if you’re about to put the finishing touches to your Airfix model of a Spitfire XII. Read them as if you’ve just wiped out your brother’s army of 1/72nd scale German paratroopers with your 1/35th scale Sherman tank. Relive your lost youth as you read them – and weep.

The Battlefields of the First World War: The Unseen Panoramas of the Western Front

By Peter Barton by Random House (in association with the Imperial War Museum) 376 pages, hundreds of photos, and two CDs

Reviewed by MAJ Neil Bleadsdale

The Dirty DozenThe 12 Best Commando Comics Ever

Carlton (distributed in NZ by Reed Publishing)RRP $34.99

Gillian Nikakis is not a writer; that is, were it not for the disappearance of her father Bill Spensley from a New Guinean island in the mid-1940s, it’s doubtful she would have put pen to paper. Nikakis says at the outset she doesn’t consider herself a writer or an historian, yet her material is well researched and thorough and makes for a very interesting read.

Nikakis’s father married her mother, Tick, an Australian nurse, at Rabaul, New Britain in the mid-1930s. At that time the colony was populated by New Guineans, Europeans and Chinese, and the island of New Britain seems to have been a kind of idyll in the pre-war years (especially for Europeans), until volcanic eruptions destroyed property and the Japanese occupation became imminent.

By Christmas 1941, all women and children (including Tick and her two young children) were evacuated from Rabaul, which was invaded by the Japanese a month later to almost no opposition. Even the commander of the invading Japanese forces, Mutsuo Fuchida, said of the attack on the island: “If ever a sledgehammer had been

used to crack an egg, this was the time”. At the outset of the war 150 Europeans, including Bill (who had been in

the NZ Army for six years), formed the New Guinea Volunteer Rifles – but they were, of course, powerless in the face of the Japanese. Although about 1,600 Australian troops were present, almost all of Rabaul’s men were promptly captured and became POWs. Bill and 12 others managed to evade capture for four months, living rough in the jungle.

By all accounts, POWs were treated dreadfully by their captors who interrogated, tortured, and sometimes performed medical experiments on them. Aside from being “kept at the point of starvation”, malaria, dysentery and malnutrition further contributed to keeping men weak. Although some mystery remains about her father’s fate, Nikakis believes Bill was probably killed on the Montevideo Maru, a ship sunk by an American submarine.

He’s Not Coming Home achieves a nice balance between fact and feeling, juxtaposing descriptions of daily life on Rabaul with segments of Bill and Tick’s letters to each other. Nikakis says she is angry at the Australian Government for refusing to make formal inquiries into what happened on the island of New Britain during the war years, but that ultimately she wrote the book because she does not want her father to “disappear without acknowledgement”.

He’s Not Coming Home: Love, Loss and Discovery in Rabaul in WW2

By Gillian NikakisLothian BooksRRP $35.99

Reviewed by Sarah Chandler

cmyk

sport03 october 2006

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