Rumble Around Ruapehu

27 February 2007

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As residents in the Ruapehu District held their breath in anticipation of a much publicised lahar, a mysterious enemy force known as the “Musorians” were invading the region, threatening to overrun our depleted forces and take over the country!

Fortunately, the invasion (unlike the lahar) is fictitious, but with the amount of military activity being witnessed in the district, you could be forgiven for not being sure! Low-flying helicopters, massive vehicle movements, artillery and small arms fire all contributed to a noisy eight-day exercise known as Northern Kiwi 07.

Some 800 personnel were involved in Northern Kiwi, held at Abyssia Camp, Waiouru. The Territorial Force exercise – the largest in recent years – provided a rare opportunity for hundreds of TF personnel, from all six battalions, to experience battalion group-level training, working with 322 Regular Force soldiers from Linton and 100 soldiers from the Australian Army.

The aim of the exercise is to develop soldiers capable of deployment of operations with directed response times, but the benefits go beyond that aspiration. Basic soldiering and junior command skills are all tested, assessed and ultimately enhanced during the exercise.

Lieutenant Colonel Bede Fahey, a TF officer serving with 7 WNHB, said the intent was “to make the whole experience challenging and interesting, but with a key goal to foster a sense of spirit”.

A newly implemented mentoring system, involving RF senior non-commissioned officers, gives advice to TF soldiers and provides constructive post-exercise feedback. During the eight-day period, the SNCOs’ presence ensured that the activities stayed on target, and ensured safety.

Following the “invasion”, the tactical situation demanded a three-phase response aimed at withdrawing a brigade to the south, then regroup and the launch of a counter attack.

Phase one revolved around preparations for withdrawal. Phase two, moving out and occupying defensive positions, and phase three, force extraction and administration. The withdrawal was supported by covering artillery fire.

Throughout the exercise, in addition to the training for the support functions, reinforced by a constant series of ambushes, fighting patrols and defensive routines, each unit undertook individual training. For example, the Dental Unit was trialling the latest mobile dental equipment for the first time in the field.

Exercise Northern Kiwi’s other benefits include the opportunity for honest assessment, the integration of the TF and RF, development of individual and collective training under pressure, and tactical communications training.

“[Exercise Northern Kiwi] recognises the importance of providing good quality training to our reserve elements at a time of high operational tempo and the associated value we place in our reserve forces to meet current operational and domestic training demands”, said Colonel Lofty Hayward, Commander 2nd Land Force Group.

During the exercise, representatives from support organisations such as the Manawatu Defence Cluster were invited to watch soldiers being put through their paces. They were greatly impressed by what they saw.

As intense as the exercise appeared, it was also apparent that motivation and morale levels were high. The personnel participating showed an appreciation for each other’s skills and contribution, and seemed to relish and embrace the challenges presented by Exercise Northern Kiwi.

Hauraki soldiers head south

At 6.30am on 10 February, 70 soldiers from 6 Hauraki Battalion Group traveled to Waiouru for Exercise Northern Kiwi.

The Infantry, Armour, Guns and Engineers were taking part, and the Regular and Territorial Forces worked together to hone field soldiering skills.

Part of the exercise involved night work preparing the position unobserved. The soldiers reversed their cycle, with breakfast at 8.00pm, lunch at midnight, and dinner at 5.00am, patrolling away from the position to prevent the enemy seeing what they were doing.

4 0 South fly north

Dunedin’s Kensington Army Hall was a hive of activity as the men and women of the 4th Otago Southland Battalion Group prepared to head to Waiouru.

A contingent flew out of Dunedin Airport on a specially deployed Royal New Zealand Air Force Boeing 757, flying to Ohakea via Christchurch where they picked up troops from 2nd Canterbury, Nelson, Marlborough, West Coast Battalion Group.

Trucked to Abyssia Camp, Waiouru, the various detachments such as Sigs and Loggies were deployed to their respective areas and the rifle sections and companies shaken out.

Over the next week activities ranged from digging in, patrolling and working in a defensive environment with elements such as the NZLAVs and helicopters.

4 O South Regimental Sergeant Major, WO1 Murray Nelson, promised that Exercise Northern Kiwi would be physically and mentally challenging, and an opportunity for all ranks and trades within the battalion to practice the individual skills, tactics, and procedures and – like every good RSM – he wasn't wrong.

The Signals Platoon, represented by Sergeant Lisa Hill and Corporal Larry White, joined the Auckland-based Royal NZ Sigs detachment from 2 Signal Squadron. Based at the battalion headquarters’ command post, both above and below ground, the time passed in a whirl of reports and returns and the maintenance of comms between the company and brigade levels.

As well as a rare opportunity to brush up their skills on the TMCS, the signalers from 4 O South also had an opportunity to re-familiarise themselves with the old ANPRC 77 sets, which are still going strong.

Reflecting on a busy week, Lance Corporal Daniel Bristow, a section commander with Bravo Company, echoed the thoughts of many southern soldiers on the exercise, saying that while there had been the inevitable frustrations and soldier grumbles (the food!) the weather had been great and on the whole it had been an enjoyable learning experience.

He said working with the choppers is always a firm favourite with the troops, and the rare chance to work with the other TF battalions and the Aussies was also a bonus.

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