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Territorial Force off to Solomons
31 October 2006
The NZ Army Territorial Force is preparing to take a major role in maintaining peace in the Solomon Islands. TF soldiers will make up the majority of personnel deploying to the troubled region over the next 12 months.
New Zealand’s commitment to Regional Assistance Mission Solomon Islands (RAMSI) force consists of a platoon group of 40-50 personnel, who deploy to the Solomon Islands for four-month periods.
The first rotation of troops has begun pre-deployment training at Burnham Military Camp, in preparation for their departure in late-November.
Of the 45 personnel selected for the deployment, 33 have been drawn from the TF. Personnel were chosen based on their experience and ability to commit to a four-month deployment and the pre-deployment training period.
The team preparing for the mission have a wide range of experiences. Five have served on previous overseas deployments, 12 have served over five years in the TF with five having served for over 10 years. A further five have previously served in the Regular Force.
Defence Minister Phil Goff said the decision to send TF personnel is an expression of the NZDF’s and the Government’s confidence in the soldiers’ commitment, skills and professional competency.
“The TF supplements the RF when additional manpower is needed. Utilising TF personnel for these deployments will take the pressure off other RF units of the New Zealand Army, during a period of high operational tempo, and bring new experience into the TF.”
The Chief of Army, Major General Lou Gardiner, is confident the team currently preparing for deployment will do well in the Solomon Islands.
“This kind of deployment is ideal for the TF to take a major role in. The mission in the Solomon Islands requires strong infantry skills and an ability to get on well with the local people. TF soldiers have the best of both worlds: robust infantry training and good everyday people skills from their civilian lives.”
The TF has a long and proud history of serving on operational deployments. In recent years, over 500 TF personnel have served in East Timor, and significant contributions have been made to missions in Lebanon, Sinai, Bosnia, Sierra Leone, Bougainville, Afghanistan, Iraq and the Solomon Islands.
This page was last reviewed on 03 November 2006 and is current.
