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28 November 2006
The introduction of Javelin into service is on target and the weapons will be issued to units next month.
As part of the Army 2005 Programme, the Ministry of Defence bought 24 Javelin medium-range anti-armour weapons to provide troops with protected mobility and enhanced firepower to 2500m, day and night. The “fire and forget” warhead provides enhanced intelligence, tactical situational awareness, surveillance and reconnaissance capability.
The Javelin arrived in Waiouru in June. Since then, personnel from the Ministry of Defence, Army General Staff, Logistics Executive, the Simulation Centre and the Transition Training Team (TTT) have been working to get the Javelin from the delivery crate to the soldiers.
The TTT, headed by Chief Instructor Major Sholto Stephens and including the Javelin wing’s Staff Sergeant Phil Kay and Mr Joe Purini, have taken on their task of developing and conducting Javelin training with “gusto and professionalism”.
As testament to the team’s professionalism and enthusiasm, the US trainers commented on the high standards of the New Zealand students – instructors, operators, maintainers and ammunition technicians.
Following the vendor training, TTT and Combat School staff conducted Javelin Operators and Commanders Courses.
Using indoor and outdoor simulation, the two-week Javelin Operators Course teaches basic AFV recognition and the ability to operate the Javelin command launch unit (CLU). As the simulators will also be located at all camps where Javelin will go, personnel will be able to maintain their skills after they pass the course.
The seven-week Javelin Commanders Course – the Army’s first dedicated anti-armoured course in 20 years – has just been completed at the Combat School in Waiouru.
The course trains anti-armoured section and platoon commanders how to employ Javelin in different settings. After completing a series of tactical exercises without troops (TEWTs), the students completed a field exercise, which was enhanced with a mounted opposing force from 2 LFG and 3 LFG.
This page was last reviewed on 29 November 2006 and is current.
