10 April 2007
In late February NZDF personnel began pre-deployment training for the next rotation to Afghanistan. Many members of the contingent come from 16 Field Regiment, while the rest are from other Army units, Navy and Air Force.
The programme in the Tekapo training ground went smoothly, with plenty of weapons training and scenario-based activities. All members of the contingent are ready to deploy and will reconfirm many of their skills once arriving in theatre. All New Zealand Provincial Reconstruction Teams conduct regular in-theatre training.
“The contingent has come together well over the PDT, and I am confident that the teamwork that has developed will make a big contribution to the overall success of the deployment,” said Colonel Roger McElwain, Senior National Officer for this deployment.
A special feature of this deployment will be the presence of a contingent from the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) which is to join the NZ PRT in Afghanistan. The SAF will undertake two humanitarian reconstruction projects, establish a dental clinic at the provincial hospital, and work on the construction and repair of bridges in the province.
A five-person SAF dental team will bring in specialist equipment and establish the dental clinic. The Singaporean team will operate the clinic and provide training for local Afghans to eventually take over and run the clinic.
Five SAF engineers will work alongside NZDF engineers and local contractors on the on-going construction and maintenance of bridges in the province.
At the request of the Canadian government, the NZDF will also supply two medical specialists to a Multinational Medical Unit at Khandahar Airfield in Southern Afghanistan.
This page was last reviewed on 30 April 2007 and is current.
