16 March 2010

By Major Sholto Stephens, Officer Commanding, QAMR

Queen Alexandra’s Mounted Rifles (QAMR) is conducting training combining the strengths of the regular force and reserve units into a modern One Army concept for NZDF deployment options. This safeguards the important strengths and identity of reserve units while giving them accessibility to capabilities that are held in regular units.

The benefits of this training relationship between Regular Force and reserve units and personnel has proved successful over a number of generations as it affords accessibility to the reserve personnel for major equipment and technical training that is only held in RF units, while reserve personnel add a new perspective on the mission to their RF colleagues. It also helps to strengthen the RF links with the New Zealand society whom we represent. Reservists also add a depth of talent to the personnel within an RF unit which is difficult to achieve simply with Regular Force personnel. These individuals will be able to either remain in the reconnaissance and surveillance role with QAMR or return to their Infantry unit with additional combat-related skills. This situation can only help to benefit the One Army concept that values the diverse skills of both regular and reserve forces.

QAMR has already experienced the considerable enthusiasm that reserve personnel can muster, demonstrated by the excellent turn-out of personnel from 2 Canterbury, Nelson, Marlborough and West Coast Battalion (2 Cant NMWC) recently. The next milestone of honing the skills of these personnel at individual and patrol level with QAMR will be easily achievable.

The Training in Perspective

By Second Lieutenant BJ Cottam

On 29 January, 17 Territorial Force (TF) soldiers from Canterbury and South Canterbury began their nine day training period with QAMR. These were some of the 24 soldiers and officers who have been with QAMR from 2 Cant NMWC for the training programme. These reserve soldiers provide a wide variety of experience and skill within the unit — some of the experienced soldiers already have two or three operational deployments under their belts while other have just finished their basic training.

The training saw soldiers training in both a dismounted and mounted capability, with the focus being on fitness, weapon-handling, field craft, communications, first aid and vehicle-craft. There was also a combination of dismounted reconnaissance and surveillance training mixed with Light Operational Vehicle (LOV) training. Introduction and familiarisation with specialist equipment such as TMCS (Army radios), night vision equipment (NVE), thermal images and remote ground sensors took place. We then focussed on four-man patrols, refining the skills and developing the tactical appreciation needed to work in small teams, and conducting tasks such as OPs. The troop also trained in the armoured LOV both on the ground and in the Burnham simulation centre. and spent time on the West Melton Rifle Range.

The training finished with a short exercise in Tekapo to consolidate and refine the skills learned during the previous six days. Observation posts (OPs) were deployed on the Friday night prior to a live firing scenario on the Saturday, using armoured LOV to infiltrate the ‘enemy’ fire support location before engaging targets with the MAG58. There was a small break to conduct battle preparation prior to conducting another OP task. During this task, the patrols received simulated indirect fire and went through the RV procedure in real time, with the hike across the training area proving to be a good way to end that phase of the training.

For the soldiers it was an enjoyable experience, and everybody enjoyed the QAMR environment. It was a good chance for the soldiers to expand their knowledge base and be introduced to new equipment and doctrine. The nine day period was good for developing the esprit de corps within the troop, and allowed them to form good relationships. It also allowed the commanders at all levels to operate with a structured chain of command; an opportunity that happens rarely within the reserves. Another positive factor was exposure to a range of equipment that is not normally available to the reserves such as NVE, TMCS, TI, RGS and armoured vehicles. That, mixed with the scope to do some realistic training, has resulted in a great experience for all involved.

Now that the training is over, the troop is looking forward to developing the core skills that were covered, with regular night parades, training weekends, plus a second induction training to capture those that couldn’t attend the first one.

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