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www.army.mil.nz
14 OCTOBER 2008
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NEWS
14 OCTOBER 2008
ISSUE 392
CONTENTS NEWS 02 Medals come home Bamyam IED
PEOPLE 04 Toque d'Or behind the scenes
DEPLOYMENTS 7 TIMOR-LESTE 11 EXERCISES 15 Training in Germany Exercise Suman Warrior
SPORT 28 No RFL - No Sport Army keep league title The Army News is published for the Regular and Territorial Force and civilian staff of the New Zealand Army. Editor: Judith Martin phone: 04-496-0227 or DTelN: 349-7227 fax: 04-496-0290 email:
[email protected] Website: www.army.mil.nz Printing: APN Print, Hastings. design: Duncan Allan, DPRU
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Editorial contributions and letters are welcomed. They may be sent direct to the Army News and do not need to be forwarded through normal command channels. Submit them to The Editor, Army News, DPRU, HQ NZDF, Private Bag 39994, Wellington, or by email. Deadline instructions: Army News is published on the second Tuesday of each month, except January. Please have all contributions to the editor by the first of the month at the latest. Nothing in the Army News should be taken as overriding any NZDF regulation. Readers should refer to the relevant service publication before acting on any information given in this newspaper. ISSN 1170-4411
COVER IMAGE: Serving up gold: Two members of the Army’s Toque d’Or winning team, LCPL Makere Lee and Private Kirsty Lister. The third member of the team, LCPL Steve Hogan was absent on annual leave. Photo: Paul Stein
MEDALS TO COME HOME
Lieutenant Colonel Todd Hart is the newly appointed Commanding Officer of 2 Engineer Regiment in Linton. LTCOL Hart was promoted recently and received his new rank slides from his wife Penny and the Commanding Officer, 2 LFG, Colonel Tim Keating.
The gallantry medals stolen from the Army Museum Waiouru in December last year are to be returned in a formal ceremony to the museum on 21 October “We are very excited at having the medals returned to their rightful home at the Army Museum Waiouru and the ceremony will acknowledge the professionalism and dedication of all those involved in their successful return, including the support of the New Zealand public,” Chief of Army, Maj Gen Lou Gardiner said. The returned medal sets include nine Victoria Crosses and two George Crosses and were stolen from Waiouru Army Museum in the early morning of 2 December 2007.
BAMYAN SOLDIER INJURED WHEN IED EXPLODES A soldier received minor injuries when the vehicle he was patrolling in was damaged after an Improvised Explosive Device (I.E.D) exploded in Bamyan Province in Afghanistan last week. The soldier suffered a minor cut to his face, was treated at the scene and has returned to active duty. The IED was in the same area as one that occurred in March, and on that occasion there were no injuries. The area in which the incident took place is known for having tribal and criminal tensions between different groups. The NZDF is constantly reviewing the security status of the area, and the possibility of any increased threat.
TO THE EDITOR Editor I would like to thank Staff Sergeant Taff Tawhara and Mr John Bird for their rapid response to my phone call notifying that I felt too ill to show for work. They found me collapsed on the floor at my home. Staff Sergeant Tawhara phoned 111, while John Bird put me in recovery position with blankets. A rapid ride with siren screaming and I was in the emergency theatre with a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm, a problem that usually proves fatal, but thanks to the men mentioned earlier, I not only survived, but came through without the usual side effects or complications. Around 50 per cent of people with this ailment die before reaching hospital. Of those who survive, around half die on the operating table. A large percentage of survivors suffer renal failure or lower limb problems caused by blood being shut off for the duration of the operation. To Staff Sergeant Tawhara, John Bird and Meri Sam I owe my life and everlasting thanks. May I take this opportunity to also thank those men and women of the Quartermaster Platoon, who, on hearing of my troubles, voluntarily gave my front garden a much needed makeover. It is much appreciated by me and the residents of Dunsandel Grove. Yours sincerely, Barry Sarney, Tailor, Trentham Military Camp
MINE FIELD. Sapper Natasha Boyd helps Joseph Oakman, 4, hunt for mines during Wellington West Coast Territorial Battalion’s open day in Wanganui recently. Photo: Stuart Munro
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OPINION
LTGEN J Mateparae and Mentioned in Dispatches recipient, MAJGEN (Rtd) Ken Gordon .
CDF RECOGNISES HIS FORMER COMMANDER’S MALAYA EFFORT MAJGEN (Rtd) Ken “Scotty” Gordon, a Malaya veteran and former Deputy Chief of Defence Staff, received his Mentioned in Dispatches certificate from the Chief of Defence Force, LTGEN Jerry Mateparae recently. MAJGEN Gordon was the instigator of a push to have the efforts of a 17-strong group of Malaya veterans, some of whom have since died, officially recognised. The veterans, or the next-of-kin of those who have died, were awarded Mentioned in Dispatches (MID) certificates and Commander In Chief Far East Land Forces (FARELF) Commendations by the Chief of Army, MAJGEN Lou Gardiner at ceremonies throughout New Zealand in August. It is thought an oversight after the Malaya Campaign caused the men to miss out on receiving their MID certificates when they returned from the campaign. MAJGEN Gordon was determined to correct that situation and, with others, he researched who was eligible.
At a function in Defence House where LTGEN Mateparae presented the framed certificate, MAJGEN Gordon recalled how he was a Lieutenant Colonel (Commanding Officer, 2/1RNZIR) when CDF, then Second Lieutenant Mateparae, marched out. “I remember saying to him (CDF) that if he turned out half as good as his uncle Bill Mateparae he’d do alright. And I was right, wasn’t I?” LTGEN Mateparae replied that it was a “privilege, honour and delight” to present the certificate to MAJGEN Gordon. “Scotty, I will always remember the support you have given me personally and professionally. It is an honour to be able to recognise the service you gave in Malaya all those years ago” MAJGEN Gordon said the work he put into having the MID and FARELF Commendations awarded to the veterans was a labour of love. “Anyone who has had soldiers would have done it for their men. I felt bound to do it for my former soldiers, who are now more like friends.”
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NEW GENERAL MANAGER OF VETERANS’ AFFAIRS NEW ZEALAND NAMED
VANZ CEO Rick Ottaway
Retired Brigadier Mr Rick Ottaway is the new General Manager of Veterans’ Affairs New Zealand (VANZ). Earlier this year VANZ became an operational unit of the Defence Force, while at the same time becoming the sole agency with end-to-end ownership and accountability for the entire War Disablement Pension process; as well as for the co-ordination of services to veterans. Chief of Defence Force LTGEN Jerry Mateparae says the new position of General Manager is a significant one as VANZ becomes more closely integrated with the Defence Force, and services to veterans are firstly consolidated and then expanded. Mr Ottaway has over 40 years experience in the New Zealand Army, and was the Army’s Deputy Chief between 2002 and 2004. He is currently Chief Executive of the Armed Forces Canteen Council. He is a fellow of the Australian College of Defence and Strategic Studies, and a fellow of the NZ Institute of Management. “These are exciting times within the veterans sector,” says LTGEN Mateparae. “VANZ is moving towards a greater emphasis on brokering services for veterans and case managing their claims for assistance. Meanwhile, the most significant review of the War Pensions Act in half a century is under way. “I am delighted that Rick has agreed to be the General Manager Veterans’ Affairs. He has considerable experience in the Defence sector, both from his time as a serving officer and latterly with the Armed Forces Canteen Council. But he also has extensive relationships within the Defence Community that I will be asking him to build on as we ensure veterans receive the recognition and support they need. Rick will be at the forefront of championing veterans’ issues in New Zealand.”
ISSUE 392 | 14 OCTOBER 2008
COL McElwain
THE NEW ZEALAND ARMY
A WORLD CLASS TRAINER COLONEL ROGER MCELWAIN Commandant, Land Training and Doctrine Group Whenever you tell someone at home or overseas you are from Waiouru, they recognise you are from the home of the New Zealand Army. And whenever you tell someone you are from the Land Training and Doctrine Group (LTDG) they know you are part of a world leading training organisation. The LTDG is the provider, and centre of excellence for, individual training for the NZ Army, and this can be seen in the success stories of our young people featured in this issue of Army News. Evolving from the Army Training Group, it is still growing into its new role as the formation responsible for land training and doctrine, providing directed individual training, and implementing the Army Leadership Framework (ALF) and other directed initiatives in order to provide Army with skilled, operationally focused military professionals. The foundation of LTDG is based around excellence in instruction to ensure that the quality of individual training delivered provides the spring board for the Army’s collective training base and operational focus. To achieve this we need, and demand, the best available personnel to form our instructor pool within all the LTDG Units and Schools. Army’s commitment to training excellence can be seen in the investment in LTDG and Waiouru. The last 12 months has seen the commissioning of two state of art shooting facilities, the Weapon Training System (WTS) and the Moving Target Range (MTR). Both of these facilities use leading edge technology to effectively improve the training of students on a series of weapon systems. The nucleus of the training delivered is through the units and schools located here in Waiouru. Two of the highest profile units are the Officer Cadet School of New Zealand (OCS(NZ)) and the Army Depot (TAD); both of which are responsible for training all officer and soldier inductees into the Army, and the ongoing All Arms professional development up to the rank of Warrant Officer in the case of TAD. And it is here, where the inculcation of the ethos and values of the NZ Army are instilled into our newest members, that we must ensure that our instructors, more than anywhere, are the “best of the best”. We have a selection of top professionals and tradesmen, essential to the quality of the training we provide ,and to the professional health of the NZ Army. Further, our location ensures that LTDG is able to provide efficient effective training, without the distractions associated with other camps and bases. Our other principal training organisation, the Land Operations Training Centre (LOTC), is responsible for delivering individual training after initial training is complete, and it does this through its technical trade and professional development courses at numerous schools located in Waiouru, Linton, Trentham and Burnham. These provide the stepping stones for individuals to hone leadership, corps and trade skills through attendance at residential and extra mural courses, thereby enhancing the NZDF’s operational readiness.
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Success! Chef LCPL Makere Lee, chef coach SSGT Andy Lucas and steward PTE Kirsty Lister
By Judith Martin One sliced her finger, another burned her hand and the third had a gaggle of giggling teenage girls watching his every move for nearly three hours. But despite the tribulations encountered in the country’s top culinary competition, the Army team of Private Kirsty Lister and Lance Corporals Makere Lee and Steve Hogan came up trumps. The Linton-based trio won the Nestle Toque d’Or culinary competition in Auckland last month, and Kirsty went on to take gold at the National Skillex Competition in Wellington two weeks ago, winning herself a trip to Canada. They are smiling now, but the three soldiers, who describe themselves as “good mates”, have put hours of blood (literally) sweat and tears into achieving excellence in their chosen field. To win the competition Makere and Steve produced a spectacular three course meal in two and a half hours, which was then served by steward Kirsty to a panel of 17 top industry judges. The food was prepared and cooked in a competition kitchen, with every move watched by the judges and members of the public. The menu (see right) was settled on after much consultation between the chefs and other senior chefs within Army. SSGT’s Andy Lucas (2 Log Bn) and Manu Ferguson (JSCS) came up with the original concepts for the menu and then the team developed it to the final menu that was produced. Both of the coaches put winning the Toque d’Or down to team effort, not just on the day, but also over the many months before the competition. “In the planning stages before a competition we all have a say – anyone can make a suggestion. Not just the team, but lots of other Army chefs made suggestions too. Chefs would come up with an idea, create a dish, take photos and send them around to each other to see what everyone thought. And we’re very blunt with each other, especially if we feel something won’t work.” The NZDF entrants into the competition were chosen following a Defence wide culinary “cook off” involving chefs from all of New Zealand’s Army bases, as well as a Navy team. The Toque d’Or entry is usually made up of individuals from various units; it
was coincidental that the three eventual winners were already a competitive team. Andy has known all three soldiers since they joined the Army. “And being mates they know each other’s strengths and weaknesses too. That’s the thing about the Army – if you know your soldiers like you should, you know when someone’s down and they need picking up. You can tell when something is wrong with someone, or if they’re happy and confident. We all worked together for so long we know each other very well.” Competitive cooking is very different from “normal” cooking, he says. “Competitions are the ultimate proving ground. You have to prepare and produce a dish in a short time under pressure and under the scrutiny of judges and your peers.” And the pressure was definitely on during the Toque d’Or. Makere cut herself, Kirsty burnt her hand on a very hot dinner plate, and Steve became the focus of a large and noisy group of young girls who congregated about a metre away from him. “I asked him about it later and he said they just became a bit of a blur. He’s very professional,” says Andy. Judges look at cleanliness, techniques and other skills used in the kitchen, but the most points are gathered by the food’s taste, appearance and even symmetry. Most of the Army’s senior chefs are culinary competition judges, and they encourage their staff to enter as many competitions as they can, to improve their skills and confidence. “We encourage our young personnel to be the absolute best they can be.” The 2008 Toque d’Or team was made up of LCPL Steve HOGAN (Chef - 2 Log Bn) LCPL Makere LEE (Chef - 2 Log Bn) PTE Kirsty LISTER (Steward - 2 Log Bn) LCPL Mata NOOROA (Reserve Chef - 2 Log Bn) SSGT Manu FERGUSON (Team Manager / Chef Coach - JSCS LOTC) SSGT Andy LUCAS (Chef Coach / Mentor - 2 Log Bn) SGT Stephen WILKINSON (Steward Coach - JSCS LOTC)
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CARAMELISED WALNUT AND APPLE PETIT SALAD A crunchy fresh salad of micro green leaves, caramelised walnuts, poached apple and crumbled blue cheese served with balsamic and avocado oil vinaigrette.
DUO OF AKAROA SALMON WITH A PACIFIC PERSUASION Seared salmon fillet with a poppy seed and rock salt tuille along with marinated cerviche of diced salmon and lime served on a wasabi potato salad. Both are accompanied by a creamy avocado and coconut puree.
SUMAC RUBBED NEW ZEALAND BEEF SIRLOIN WITH BUTTERNUT YORKSHIRE PUDDING, MOI MOI, AND A CHOCOLATE AND PORT JUS. Roasted New Zealand Beef Sirloin spiced with ground sumac and presented with a Yorkshire inspired butternut pumpkin pudding and a dark chocolate and port jus. This is served with Macaire styled moi moi, confit of beef and cabbage, glazed vegetables, silverbeet crumble and a sweet mustard sabayon.
POACHED PEAR AND CARAMEL TART WITH PETIT OPERA CAKE A fresh New Zealand pear poached in a 2004 Gisborne Noble Semillon based stock syrup and filled with a creamy vanilla mousse. Served with a caramel tartlet with a chocolate and coffee flavoured Opera Cake and accompanied by a late harvest sauce.
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PTE Kirsty Lister folding napkins.
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The oldest of six children, Makere Lee grew up cooking mince, sausages and mashed potatoes for her younger siblings. Today, however, she’s whisking up Akaroa salmon, a marinated cerviche, beef sirloin and an elegant dessert. And she’s doing it with aplomb. Under the glare of competition lights, the heat of several nearby ovens, and the gaze of a fascinated crowd, her job in the Toque d’Or competition is to prepare dessert, and help fellow chef Steve Hogan with the main. Steve is preparing and cooking the entrée, and the remainder of the main. Both of the chefs know exactly what to do, and stick to their tasks. Later, she will talk about how they practised making the meal about eight times, and how they knew exactly what both had to do. But cutting herself while washing a very sharp knife wasn’t in the plan. “I was so busy I just ignored the pain, but it kept bleeding and I went through lots of plasters. That was annoying.” She admits she was nervous when the session first began. “But then we just got so busy the nerves went out the window. We were there to do our best.” An Army chef for the past three years, Makere has entered cooking competitions before, but winning the Toque d’Or is the pinnacle of her career so far, she says. But as every chef knows things culinary don’t always go to plan. The tuille, or wafers, on her meticulously prepared dessert began to list alarmingly as the clock ticked towards the competition time limit. “Those darn things have a mind of their own. They stay upright when they want to, not when you want them to,” she laughs. Even an award-winning chef, she says, has food foul-ups. “Heaps of things go wrong in a kitchen! You just use your initiative and make amends. Often what people don’t know doesn’t hurt them anyway.” The Hokianga-born chef obviously strives for excellence in what she produces, and says she values the support of her Army friends and mentors. But, like her friend and fellow competitor Kirsty, at the end of each day her chosen profession is the last thing on her mind. “I don’t want to cook – I’m too lazy. I’ll just eat whatever someone else will make for me.” The second chef in the award winning trio, Lance Corporal Steve Hogan, was on a well-earned holiday in Germany when Army News spoke to Kirsty and Makere. We will feature his story later in the year.
LCPL Lee and LCPL Steve Hogan. Immaculate in a black ensemble, Kirsty Lister is a vision of calm. There’s no fluster here, not a hair out of place, not a scuff on a shoe as the 19 year old studiously folds napkins and surveys the scene around her. She’s watching her mates Steve and Makere cooking up a storm, and she knows things are going well. She smiles. And at the end of the day things do indeed go well – the trio, good friends since they joined the Army three years ago, take out the Toque d’Or for their combined efforts at preparing, cooking and serving a gastronomic delight. Just two weeks later she takes gold again – this time at the National Skillex Competition in Wellington. While Kirsty is serenity personified, her appearance belies the months of practice and hard work that have gone into the professionalism she demonstrates to get to the top. “It does help that we’re quite close friends – we do anticipate what each other is thinking and what they will do next.” She has never dropped a bowl of soup into someone’s lap – although she has seen it happen – but she admits to having accidentally smashed a few glasses during her as yet short but illustrious career. Her dining room disasters run more along the line of being shortstaffed, or running out of certain foods on the menu. She takes dealing with local and visiting dignitaries in her stride. “I don’t get flustered in that situation. My confidence has grown quite a bit over the years.”
PTE Lister during service So what’s the key, Kirsty? “I think working as a team is important, helping each other, and not thinking you’re better than anyone else. Just getting on with the work you have to do.” There are certain protocols that must be followed however. A whole raft of them in fact. Beverages must be served to the right, labels showing at all times, and food must be served to the right and cleared from the left, although the “rule” is changing to both serve and clear from the left. “Whichever way you choose you have to be consistent.” And the table should be crumbed down between the main and the dessert. Proper accompaniments must be served to suit the food, and the cutlery arranged with military precision (and in the right order). Liaison with the kitchen team is essential and they need to communicate well. If the food is not ready from the kitchen diners must be told- this is an area that can win or lose a competition. Kirsty says she originally wanted to be a chef, but trained as a steward instead. She has represented New Zealand at a competition in Australia, and a trip to Canada is now on the cards after her recent wins. She’s also really looking forward to deploying operationally. So when she goes home to visit Mum and Dad in New Plymouth, does Private Lister serve from the right, clear from the left, crumb down at the appropriate time, look immaculate, and arrange everything just so? “Hell no!” the suddenly typical teenager shrieks. “I like to relax when I go home. It’s the other way around – they look after me!”
06ARMYPEOPLE ISSUE 392 | 14 OCTOBER 2008
ONLINE PERFORMANCE REPORTING SYSTEM (OPR) REPLACING THE MD68 PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL SYSTEM
A new career performance reporting tool for Regular Force Army officers is being introduced from October 17. The Online Performance Reporting(OPR) system will replace the MD68 which has been the NZDF’s primary reporting tool until now. The OPR has been developed over recent years, with the aim of streamlining the reporting process and incorporating the NZDF Competency Framework. PROCESS OPR is different from the MD68 in both process and content. The new system is an online application and is accessed via the KEA portal, similar to the Online Leave Management system. Reports will be generated automatically (with a manual option also) and officers will receive an email with a link to action the report which can also be accessed by navigating through KEA. The reporting process remains the same as the current MD68 where the immediate superior completes the performance assessment for an officer, interviews them and forwards the report through the command chain. The subject will see the final report which will be submitted to the Military Secretary’s Branch. CONTENT OPR maintains elements of the MD68 though it contains different content. The initial part of the report resembles the current MD68 where Subject Officers provide information on their qualifications, interests, present employment and future employment/training opportunities. The report is then submitted to the Reporting Officer for action. This part of the report contains the new OPR content. Reporting Officers will assess an individual’s performance against behavioural descriptions from the NZDF Competency Framework. Using OPR, officers will be assessed at the competencies at their current substantive rank and also against the competencies at the Next Higher Rank for developmental purposes and to assess their future potential. The NZDF Competency Framework sets out the generic competencies required across all employment categories and ranks. These generic competencies are those commonly expected at the different levels across the NZDF, regardless of Service, branch or trade. Each competency has at least two parts and each part has five choices. In each part, the Reporting Officer chooses the description that best matches the competency behaviour shown by the Subject Officer. Once the Reporting Officer has completed the assessment for all the competencies, they complete
POINTS OF CONTACT Maj D. McMillan Maj T. To’ia Maj R. Clifton WO2 A. Johnson
Maj A. Fortune Capt T. McDonald SSgt S. Player Mrs M. Coleman
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Maj D. Pascoe Lt C. Talauta WO1 P. Kirton
Maj M. Samuels WO1 G. Edwards
HQ NZDF/AGS (WELLINGTON) Maj M. Nicholas
AGS (TRENTHAM)/TRSB Maj A. (Rik) Anderson WO2 R. Player
LTDG Maj K. Charlton Maj D. Millner SSgt T. Hiroti SSgt S. Parry
the remaining sections which are the same as the current MD68. These include assessment of promotion suitability, future training and employment options and an overall comment. The report is then submitted through the chain of command for comment, similar to the current MD68. BENEFITS OF OPR Performance management fulfils a range of functions from performance reporting and career management to providing feedback for development. OPR provides additional benefits over the current MD68. The primary benefit is a tool that is linked to the NZDF Competency Framework and identifies the knowledge, skills and behaviours required to perform capably in the NZDF. Other benefits of the new system include greater automation and tracking/auditing functions. IMPLEMENTATION The implementation of OPR will be supported with an Online User Guide and interactive online tutorials. A number of Base Specialists have conducted training and will be available to provide assistance as required. MS Branch is also available to provide information and assistance on the use of the tool. Further information, including the CA’s Directive, is available on the MS Branch website http://awi-teams/ags/Milsecrbr/
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THE MSI – TAKING ITS SKILLS TO TONGA By CPL Leslie Milligan The Army’s Military Studies Institute took its knowledge of teaching communication skills to a new level recently when a Mutual Assistance Training Team deployed to Tonga. The team, consisting of CAPT Sarah Starkey, SGT Sean Roberts, and CPL Leslie ‘Spike’ Milligan, delivered a writing skills course to selected personnel in the Tonga Defence Service (TDS) in September. The aim of this course from the TDS perspective was to revise and standardise writing skills; especially in the area of service writing. The lessons covered a variety of topics such as verbal communication, parts of speech, sentence structure, writing paragraphs, writing minutes, writing defence letters and personnel reporting. The instructors also covered basic computer skills, in particular the use of MS Word and PowerPoint. These lessons proved popular as a number of students had not used computers regularly before. From the start of the course the students were enthusiastic about revising their English skills, often dropping hints that they would have liked the course to run for four weeks, not two. One of the students, WO2 Fahamokioa, described the course as very valuable, as he said while some course participants have had prior training in English, it was a skill that was neglected as more often than not the main language used in the TDS is Tongan, although English is used in some correspondence. He also said this skill fade with English becomes a problem when personnel undertake a number of courses in New Zealand and Australia. They are required to produce written documents, such as minutes and defence letters, or read documents as part of those courses. The course concluded with a formal presentation of certificates by the TDS Commander and the students showing their appreciation by putting on a large meal of traditional Tongan food and presenting traditional Tongan gifts to the MATT instructors.
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ENHANCED INSURANCE COVER FOR NZDF PERSONNEL The New Zealand Defence Force is now providing insurance for death and total disability to those personnel who are not already covered. Previously only members of Defence Force Superannuation Schemes Category A and Category B, and the Civil Staff Superannuation Scheme, have had access to this benefit paid for by the NZDF through the employer contribution to their superannuation. Some cover has also been extended to civilian personnel who have not previously been covered under defence insurance schemes. The enhanced coverage reflects the NZDF’s ongoing commitment to the welfare of all personnel, says principal HR advisor, Employment Relations, Mark Williamson. Some exclusions apply, and the type and extent of cover varies. Visit Personnel Branch intranet for further details, or contact Mark Williamson on DTelIN 348-8853
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PRIDE SHINES THROUGH ON GLOOMY DAY
In pouring rain, New Zealand troops line up at Ohakea to board their chartered jet for the first leg of their journey to Afghanistan. Photo: ROB MAETZIG
By Rob Maetzig It is pouring down at the Royal New Zealand Air Force base at Ohakea, and the atmosphere inside a big gymnasium within the base is just as sombre. There, a big crowd of family and friends gathers to be part of an event that these days is a reasonably regular occurrence — the deployment of a contingent of New Zealand Defence Force personnel to a war zone. There are more than 660 New Zealanders deployed on a total of 16 peacekeeping operations, United Nations missions and defence exercises throughout the world, at places as varied as Timor-Leste, Solomon Islands, Kosovo, Egypt, Iraq, South Korea, the Middle East and Antarctica. And Afghanistan. This ancient country, north-west of India and bordered by Pakistan, Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and China, hasn’t known a day of peace for 30 years. It was invaded in 1979 by the Soviets, whose withdrawal 10 years later sparked more than a decade of civil war. And through all this anarchy there arose an extreme movement called the Taleban, which in 1997 was recognised by Pakistan as the illegitimate rulers of Afghanistan. The Taleban sought to impose an extreme interpretation of Islam, and in doing so committed many human rights violations. From the mid-1990s they also provided sanctuary to Osama bin Laden, and provided a base for his and other terrorist organisations. Bin Laden and his al-Qaeda group were believed responsible for the September 11, 2001 attacks in the United States. When the Taleban refused to expel them and end their support for international terrorism, the US and its partners invaded Afghanistan on October 7, 2001. Seven years on the war continues, confined mainly to the south of the country. But the 30 years of strife has left all of Afghanistan in a very poor state. There is widespread poverty, and infrastructure has been devastated. That’s where the New Zealand Defence Force enters the scene —to help rebuild the country. The vast majority of the NZDF contingent gathered at Ohakea are members of the New Zealand Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT), which will be based in Bamian Province in Afghanistan’s central highlands. This deployment —New Zealand’s 13th—will be for six months and it won’t be fun. The contingent will be living at an altitude higher than the summit of Mt Taranaki, and some breathing problems and nosebleeds may be an issue early on. And it will be winter, which means night-time temperatures will fall to as low as -30°C. NZ PRT Bamian is tasked with maintaining security in Bamian Province, so will be conducting frequent ‘presence’’ patrols. At the same time the soldiers, many of whom are engineers and tradesmen, will be busy helping locals work in numerous rebuilding projects —schools, hospitals, housing, and administration buildings. And, as a result of the harsh winter months, they may also find themselves distributing emergency humanitarian assistance. Family and friends of the personnel heading overseas have already been made aware of all of this. The New Zealand Army has held a series of family briefings at bases throughout the country, where not only have attendees been told what the soldiers can expect, but also that there are many support services on offer to help those left behind. It is a magnificent support system. Loved ones and friends will receive a regular deployment newsletter, there are psychological support services for adults and children, chaplaincy services for spiritual or moral support, financial, personal and household advice, and force concession rates for letters and parcels family wish to end to Afghanistan. The Army has even provided a list of what — and what not — to send. Lots of letters, family
pictures, local newspapers, coffee and tea bags, Marmite, sweets, and chips and dip are all recommended; alcohol and perishable goods are not. But despite all of this preparation, or perhaps because of it, there’s an air of nervousness at Ohakea. The soldiers have been required to check-in by 8.30am for an 11am departure aboard a chartered Air New Zealand jet, so that leaves a good two hours for everyone to wait until boarding call. Many young couples just sit there, arms around each other, as the time ticks by. Others spend their remaining time in New Zealand playing with the young children they won’t see for six months. Several of the soldiers are surrounded by large family groups, including grandparents who many years ago may have been through all this before. There are a good number of Taranaki people there. There’s Jeff Lock, who has an 18-month-old daughter, McKenzie, and whose wife Stacey is pregnant again New Plymouth’s Jeff Lock says goodbye to — and due just three weeks after the his 18-month-old daughter McKenzie just contingent returns in April. And there’s before departure. Photo: FAIRFAX Bryce Harvey, a lastminute inclusion in the team after someone else was forced to withdraw. Everyone is encouraged to write a personal message on a large banner that will accompany the contingent and take pride of place on a wall at the Bamian base. The tension builds as the contingent’s commanding officer, Colonel Richard Hall, addresses the crowd. He tells everyone that New Zealand should be proud to have young men and women who are willing to get out there and do good for other people. Then it’s the turn of the army’s Land Component Commander, Brigadier Dave Gawn. He reminds his troops of three rules when on deployment to places such as Afghanistan: Be aware, be professional, and, above all, look after your mates. Suddenly there’s the announcement that everyone has been waiting for. The NZDF personnel are to immediately say their goodbyes, leave the gymnasium, and make their way to a nearby hangar from where they will board the big jet. All members of the public are to remain behind. The atmosphere dissolves into one of emotion. Husbands and wives, partners, children, parents, grandparents and friends get in last hugs and kisses before their soldiers head out into the rain. There are long-distance glimpses of the contingent as it troops out on to the tarmac, but none of the soldiers appears to turn around. The crowd is still there, waving, when the Boeing roars down the runway and lifts off, punching into the low cloud and out of sight. Courtesy Taranaki Daily News
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PTE Tim Corney.
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SPR Michael Dean.
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Three soldiers in the New Zealand Defence Force Worldskills team picked up three gold medals at the biennial Worldskills NZ National Finals held at WelTec in Petone in September. Sapper Michael Dean won gold for his carpentry skills, Sapper Peter Fuller, plumbing, and Private Kirsty Lister, Restaurant Services and ‘Best in Region’ . The team of eight NZDF trade trainees competed against trade trainees and apprentices from polytechnics and technical institutes from around New Zealand. “Our team did exceptionally well and our three gold medal winners may be selected as part of the NZ Team that will travel to Calgary in Canada next year for the WorldSkills International competition,” said team manager Lieutenant Rik Anderson. National finalists are sourced from the eight regional Worldskills NZ competitions, direct from industry or apprentice block courses. Skills categories at the event include automotive engineering, bricklaying, electrical wiring and cookery. “Worldskills provides a fantastic opportunity for our NZDF trade trainees to demonstrate their level of expertise and to show that their training is second to none,” said Lt Anderson. Private Kirsty Lister was also part of a team from the NZDF Joint Forces Catering School which took out the top honours in the Nestlé Toque d’Or competition in September. WN 08-0017-85
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SOLDIERS WIN GOLD… AGAIN
Mr Stan Young, Mr David Williams and MAJGEN Lou Gardiner
FIRST OF WW2 DIVISION BANNERS PRESENTED
The first group of commemorative banners for World War Two infantry battalion veterans was presented at a ceremony at Defence House in september After an appeal from the Army to find 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force (NZEF) infantry battalion members from the 2nd and 3rd Divisions, representatives for 13 of the 18 battalions have come forward.The Chief of Army, MAJGEN Lou Gardiner presented six units with their banners at the ceremony in Wellington. The remaining five battalions: 29th, 34th, 30th, 35th and 37th, will have their banners presented to each unit’s modern-day equivalent. The banners, similar to British legion flags, serve as a symbol of the sacrifice while serving for King and Country and will provide something for each unit to affiliate to as they are handed from generation to generation. The 28th Maori Battalion received their unit flag at their annual reunion in Gisborne on the weekend of 23 March 2008.
In this issue of Army News we continue a series which looks at each of the deployments the New Zealand Army has undertaken over the past 30 years, and the recollections of those who deployed. From Cambodia to Korea, the Middle East, Africa, Afghanistan and throughout the South Pacific Kiwi soldiers and officers have been there, and in many cases are still there, doing their part to encourage peace and stability.
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MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN A MINE-BLIGHTED LAND
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By Judith Martin New Zealand Army engineers were at the forefront of demining operations throughout the world for nearly 20 years. And even in one of the poorest nations in the world, the skills they brought to the job have made a sizeable impact… Helping run a demining programme in a country struggling to cope with abject poverty was a challenge for LTCOL Paul Curry. He deployed to Mozambique, an east African country blighted by the legacy of war, in 2003. The majority of Mozambicans had an inadequate or, at best, unpredictable supply of food. Housing and healthcare was minimal, and only the comparatively wealthy could afford to school their children. Mozambique The odds seemed stacked against the country, but despite this LTCOL Curry says mines continued to be detected and destroyed. In 2003 fewer than 400 people cleared three million square metres of mines. “That’s more than a third of the total area cleared by all operators in 2003. It was not bad for a country that relied totally on donor money to fund its demining operations.” From 1994 two New Zealand Army engineers were attached to the United Nations Accelerated Demining Programme (ADP) in Mozambique where thousands of landmines had been laid since the beginning of the nation’s independence struggle against Portugal in the 1960s, and when civil war erupted throughout the country after independence in 1975. The borders between Tanzania, Zimbabwe and South Africa were heavily mined, as were bridges, irrigation schemes and rice and sugar mills. LTCOL Curry, WO1 Mark Wing and then WO2 Mike Tait, provided technical advice more so than detect or dismantle the mines scattered throughout the countryside. As Chief Technical Advisor LTCOL Curry focussed on strategic and management issues and the warrant officers were involved in training and quality assurance. One of the reasons why the country was impoverished was much of the land was unusable for farming because of the mines. “When I was in Mozambique the ADP was much more mature now than when New Zealanders first began working there. The hard work of our predecessors was very evident in the procedures ADP used and the professionalism displayed. We were there as technical advisors, and helped provide training in quality assurance of the demining programme.” The Mozambique Government did not provide funds for demining, and the country instead relied on donations from other nations and organisations. The donated money was spent mainly on equipment such as mechanical flailers to cut vegetation so specially trained dogs could sniff out mines, or other detection equipment could be used. Now Commandant of the Officer Cadet School in Waiouru, and soon to become New Zealand’s Defence Attaché in Malaysia, LTCOL Curry has worked on demining programmes in Cambodia and Angola. The technical side of the Mozambique programme was straightforward, he says. He honed his negotiating skills there, and learned a lot about management through working with diverse embassies, NGOs and governmental organisations. “The issues of language, corruption and agendas that often clashed made for a lot of frustration but also made any achievement much more satisfying. It was definitely simpler at the coal face of demining than at the political level”. AIDs was, as it still is, a huge problem in Mozambique. “Of our 450 deminers about 20 were dying from the effects of AIDs. We supplied condoms to our deminers, and there were condoms in every toilet, but it was still a huge, and very sad, problem. Everywhere there were grandparents trying to bring up children because the parents had died or were too sick.” He says his New Zealand Army predecessors did a great job in setting up the Mozambique demining programme, and much of the credit for the success of the programme should go to the technical advisors who preceded him. “The challenge was trying to help keep the programme going when funding was so short. The programme could lead very much to a hand to mouth existence. It wasn’t always easy, and there was a lot of frustration. Our training got us over most problems, and our attitude got us over the rest. I think the NZDF’s demining efforts made a definite difference. People were able to largely get on with their lives, get their kids to school, and keep them healthy, that sort of thing. That’s the main thing.”
Skeletal remains on the ground indicate a mine tragedy, despite the warnings; LTCOL Paul Curry on-site with local deminers; Mozambican deminers with their minesensing dog; and a variety of mines.
THOUSANDS OF LANDMINES HAD BEEN LAID SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE NATION’S INDEPENDENCE STRUGGLE AGAINST PORTUGAL IN THE 1960S, AND WHEN CIVIL WAR ERUPTED THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY AFTER INDEPENDENCE IN 1975.
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LTCOL Kevin Ashcroft
NZDF SECURITY TF OFFICER – A SNAPSHOT EARNS THIRD By Peter Jackson Manager, Defence Counter Intelligence Security Operations. Just as you as a private citizen protect your personal assets from damage or theft, and guard your private information from disclosure to people you would rather didn’t know, the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) does exactly the same for its assets and information. Guided by the publication ‘DFO 51 (1) Protective Security’, the NZDF strives to protect its assets from theft, damage or destruction, and its information from loss, corruption or unauthorised disclosure. Why does this concern me? The answer is this; everyone in the NZDF is responsible for security. It doesn’t matter whether you are a Rating, a Flight Sergeant, a Major General or a civilian employee, we all have a very important part to play in security. What assets/information are you talking about? We’re talking about assets that the NZDF depends upon to operate as directed by the NZ Government. The NZDF possesses certain assets and information that are critical to NZDF’s core business. Some of these are provided by other countries who allow the NZDF to have them as long as we are able to protect them from loss, theft or compromise. Should we be found wanting security-wise, we place at risk future equipment acquisitions and information sharing which could have a profound effect on NZDF’s operational capabilities in the years to come. Broadly speaking these include: t Personnel t Arms, ammunition and explosives t Mission critical equipments t Classified and sensitive information and material t Information and Communication Technologies t NZDF reputation But who would target these things and why? Despite New Zealand’s remote geographical location, the threat to NZDF assets and information is real and comes from a variety of sources. Some pose a greater risk than others, but generally they include: Foreign Intelligence Services who, on behalf of their countries, seek to gain sensitive military and other information or material. Terrorists who seek to further an extremist political or ideological cause. Issue motivated groups who seek to further a radical cause and embarrass the government. Criminal elements who seek to use or on-sell stolen military property for personal gain. Disaffected individuals who seek to exact revenge on NZDF for real or perceived grievances. What can I do to help? The best thing you can do is: Stay vigilant and report suspicious activity no matter how insignificant it might seem. Fix practices dangerous to security. If you can’t fix it personally, report it so it can be fixed. Think about the security implications of what you are doing. You may be able to prevent a security breach before it happens simply by employing common sense. Who should I tell? Every unit is required to have a Unit Security Officer (USO) whose role is to monitor the security of a unit on behalf of the unit commander. The unit 2IC/XO is normally the USO but the role is sometimes delegated to another officer or non-commissioned officer depending on circumstances. If you need to discuss any security concerns you might have, talk with your USO. Security Awareness Campaign. To raise the profile of security within the Defence Force, the Defence Security Division (DSyD) plans to, among other initiatives, implement an advertising campaign aimed at improving security awareness among NZDF personnel at all levels. Watch this Space! Finally, just remember this... The greatest threat to security is the belief that there is no threat.
ROSETTE
The Territorial Force Advisor, Brigadier Ants Howie recently presented LTCOL Kevin (Hoki) Ashcroft with his third rosette to his Efficiency Decoration. LTCOL Ashcroft enlisted into the NZ Army as a National Serviceman in May 1972. He was commissioned into 3 RNZIR as the reconnaissance platoon commander at the completion of his basic training three months later. 2Lt Ashcroft became a platoon commander in C Coy when he moved to Motutapu Island and then in the Northland Company after moving north in 1976. He became the Anti armour platoon commander of the 53 man strong Kaitaia platoon when it was re-roled in 1977. An early highlight was deploying to Singapore/Malaysia as an umpire on a Jalan Ulu Exercise in 1979. Captain Ashcroft became the Northland Coy 2i/c on his return and the OC in 1984, commanding the parade that laid up the colours of the 15th Northland Regiment soon after. Major Ashcroft became the Operations Officer for the Auckland North battalion in 1986 and joined the Regular Force in 1988 as the Officer Commanding Territorial Force Company in the Army Training Group. He served in Waiouru for eight years in appointments such as the Executive Officer for the ATG Support Unit and then Army Schools, and then S3 on the Headquarters. Major Ashcroft left the RF in 1996 and joined the Wellington & Hawke’s Bay Regiment as OC Logistics Company and then became the Executive Officer. He deployed to Bougainville as the Operations Officer for Team site Waikunai in 2000 and assumed command of the Wellington Hawke’s Bay Regiment at the end of 2000. He deployed again to Bosnia in 2003 as the Liaison Officer for 5 Korpus in Bihac. LTCOL Ashcroft joined the Exercise Writing Team on his return to New Zealand.
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CEMENTING STABILITY
IN A TROUBLED COUNTRY
Private Lance Harris chills out with young neighbour Patika.
By Judith Martin As Sapper Andrew Irvine picks his way through the narrow pot-holed road, chickens scuttle past, and a pig snuffles in the stifling heat. It’s siesta-time quiet in the small Dili village. Within minutes however children begin to materialise from nearby houses, falling in beside the young soldier, chatting using what English they know, and laughing with him. The scene is typical of those wherever the Kiwi soldiers take to the streets of Timor Leste on their daily patrols. They make a point of interacting with the locals, acknowledging people with a smile as they walk past. Sapper Irvine is part of a platoon based at Bidau Santa Ana on the outskirts of Dili. He and about 30 other soldiers live in a once-elegant but now rundown two-storied house in the centre of a busy village spilling with children, goats and noisy vehicles. When the soldiers, many of them barely out of their teens, go on patrol they are a draw card to local youngsters. Word has got around that they’re often good for a game of soccer or frisbee, and this village is no exception. It’s all part of patrolling, and getting to know what’s going on in the community, says Major Jason Dyhrberg, officer commanding of 120-strong Delta Company. Helping the Timorese become confident and secure, and encouraging stability in this troubled and desperately poor nation is what it’s all about. It’s MAJ Dyhrberg’s fourth deployment to Timor Leste. He served here as a rifle platoon commander in 2000, and again as a reconnaissance platoon commander in 2002. He returned to Dili for a one month command stint last year, and was back again in April this year as officer commanding of 120-strong Delta Company. With a 180-strong presence in Timor Leste this is the NZDF’s largest overseas deployment, with most of the New Zealanders working with an Australian-led mission to help maintain security and stability in the country. New Zealand and several other nations put in a huge effort in what was then East Timor from 1999 to 2002. Following a proindependence (from Indonesia) referendum, vengeful militia murdered and raped and systematically burned nearly every city and village. In an effort to make and then keep the peace New
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Zealand sent more than 1000 defence personnel to the island. Relative calm prevailed until 2006 when factional violence and trouble again erupted, this time mainly in Dili; there were murders, buildings were burned, and thousands of people displaced. Major Dyhrberg arrived last year in the middle of a tropical rain storm, with the Internally Displaced People (IDP) camps surrounding the airport bursting at the seams. Moments later a local who had drawn a slingshot on someone was shot in the chest, and the Portuguese riot police began converging on the area. “I thought, ‘It’s nice to be back….’” says the officer. But there’s no hint he has become cynical or disillusioned about what’s happening with Timor Leste.
THIS PAGE CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: On patrol in a Dili village; and in Dili’s port area; New Zealand soldiers spruce up one of the many monuments to soldiers killed in Timor Leste; A New Zealand platoon prepares to go on patrol; soldiers site their weapons; meeting the locals. WN 08-0017-81
Yellow overalled men are tidying up the roads and removing rubbish, and there is a greater local police presence. Yet the security, humanitarian and political situation in Timor Leste remains fragile. Although displaced people are returning to their villages or enclaves, there are still IDP camps bulging with people, and murmurings of disquiet over planned political reforms. The New Zealanders patrol Dili in vehicles and on foot to encourage calm and stability. And they do it in typical Kiwi style. The soldiers are armed, but with windows wound down in their patrol vehicles they wave and chat to passing locals wherever they can. They talk to village elders wherever possible, and find out how people are feeling about issues. “We are impartial,” says Major Dyhrberg. “We don’t take sides with anyone. Our soldiers are very approachable. They talk, make eye contact. We and the locals are on the same level. We need them on our side and to support us so that we can do our job properly. “We are always fully armed, and in constant communication. It appears calm out there, but all that is needed in a place like this is one ugly incident…” The city is divided into “platoon” areas, and every two months the platoons rotate, moving into one of three forward operating bases. Community-based patrols make the soldiers more visible, and shorten their reaction time should an incident occur. Major Dyhrberg is obviously proud of the work his soldiers are doing. “It’s not easy work. It can be mundane, dusty, and with long periods on the streets in full kit in temperatures up to 40 degrees. They must keep alert and professional at all times.” That said however, the patrols often take a soccer ball with them, and while some keep watch other patrol group members will have impromptu games with groups of local children, or young adults in the many grassy spaces throughout the city. The NZDF has for some time had an air component in Timor Leste, made up of 31 people operating two RNZAF Iroquois helicopters. That detachment, from RNZAF Number 3 Squadron, based in Ohakea, is planning its return to New Zealand in late October to enable 3 Squadron to prepare and train for the arrival of a new helicopter fleet. In the meantime though the patrols look set to stay in the streets of Dili, and the NZDF will be placing an increased emphasis on helping the Timorese people become self sufficient, encouraging them, says Major Dyhrberg, to find Timorese solutions to Timorese issues. The NZDF also has five officers working with the Timorese Defence Force, the F-FDTL in the areas of small arms training, human resources and logistics. That number is set to increase in the near future.
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Indeed positive changes in the capital Dili have become obvious over the past month- crowds of people are on the streets, shopping, talking, taking kids to school and generally getting on with their lives.
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In the corner of what was once a World War II Japanese airfield the sound of Kiwi hammers, saws and drills fills the air. It’s an understatement to say these sappers are busy; they’re working to a deadline, and despite the heat and dust, the (just about) new Kiwi Lines is humming. Captain Neville Mosley of 2 Engineer Regiment is in Timor with 27 sappers. Their aim? Operation Whare is the refurbishment of a series of decrepit buildings to house and provide a working base for the various elements that make up most of the Kiwi contingent in Timor Leste. Nothing really out of the ordinary for the engineers, except much of this project must be finished within a week. The original Kiwi Lines, about four km east of the site the sappers are working on, was on land belonging to the Catholic Dioceses of Dili. The church needed the land available urgently, so an alternative base for the New Zealanders had to be found. And in three days’ time the old Kiwi Lines will be empty, and a sizable group of Army personnel will need office space, a command post, working communication and accomodation. Captain Mosely and his reconnaissance team flew to Dili in early August. On the ground for just five days, his senior tradesmen surveyed the site to work out what was needed to fit all the current functions of the existing Kiwi Lines into the new working area. The project includes ablution blocks, a conference room, a company aid post, and a sheltered gymnasium area. An empty hangar must also be fitted out as a logistics base. One of the main issues for the engineers is the site drainage, especially as the wet season approaches with its massive deluges. “We have a plan to mitigate that though, and we’re pretty sure it will work.” SSGT Brendan McDonald is the construction manager for the project, and SSGT Flintoff is responsible for overseeing the drainage, and employment of local contractors. The team includes nine carpenters, six apprentice carpenters, electricians, plumbers and three field engineers. Captain Mosley says the project is similar to other projects that many members of the Regiment have completed, except for the short notice. It has been a bonus, he says, being able to use the existing logistics chain at the National Support elements in Darwin, and being able to make use of the help offered by the Australian engineers in theatre. Army engineers, he says, are usually working hard to improve the living or working conditions for others, as distinct from their own colleagues. “It’s good to get the opportunity to make life a bit easier and better for our own people, so they can get out there and do their job. We’re trying to make sure our soldiers have a good standard of living while they’re here, to make the six to eight month stints they do in Timor a bit more pleasant.” Much of the old Kiwi Lines was dismantled and moved to the new site, with the material that couldn’t be reused by the contingent being donated to local people.
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OP WHARE HAS SAPPERS HUMMING
WGCDR Kelly Byrne, CO
Major Jason Dyhrberg and Private Ricky Mitchel
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FROM TOP: Sappers from 2 Engineer Regiment mix concrete; lay tiles; and relax after a day’s hard work; BELOW RIGHT: Captain Neville Mosley in the airfield’s control tower. The new logistics hangar is in the background; BELOW LEFT: Major Dyhrberg and Private Ricky Mitchell.
Captain Neville Mosley
A former Army gunner who became a RNZAF pilot, and is now in command of the 180-strong New Zealand contingent in Timor Leste, says his current role is a “great opportunity.” WGCDR Kelly Byrne is the Commanding Officer of the New Zealand forces working in Timor Leste as part of the International Stabilisation Force. This includes Task Groups Manu, Gyro, Kaihanga, Toa, which collectively form Operation Koru. TG Gyro is the company group of Kiwi soldiers, Kaihanga the five advisors to the Timorese Defence Force, and Toa the United Nations Mission in Timor Leste. Manu is the helicopter detachment. A one-time transport pilot with the RNZAF, WGCDR Byrne left the air force in 1993, and bought a Blenheim vineyard which he operated for 11 years. He rejoined the RNZAF two years ago, and was based at RNZAF Woodbourne until he deployed to Timor Leste. He says while the mission is very “Army-centric”, having been an artillery officer in the New Zealand Army gives him an insight into how the Army operates. Timor Leste, he says, is “reasonably benign.” “Without the benefit of the ISF I think it would be very easy for law and order to break down again here. Essentially we are part of an over-arching force, so there is no incentive for vested interest groups to cause trouble. We’re here to help Timor Leste on its way to full democracy.” Next Month: s.BLJOHUIFXIFFMTUVSOUIF/4& *5QSPWJEFSTBOENPSF s0Q,BJIBOHBIFMQJOHUIF''%5-
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A BUZZ AT BURNHAM
Arthur Stubbs in 2007 with, from left,CA MAJGEN L Gardiner, SGTMAJ of the Army WO1 B Ngata, Adj Lt M Sydney, LTCOL W Banks, , RSM WO1 L Wills, MA to CA MAJ J Wineera
REST IN PEACE ARTHUR
For nine year old Flynn Shikker, coming third in NZDF’s art competition Operation Kiwi meant a day he and two of his closest friends would never forget at Burnham Military Camp. The competition called for students to design a machine for the Army or draw a picture to remind troops overseas of New Zealand. Flynn designed a Kiwi-bot, a big rocket-toting robot shaped like a Kiwi, complete with lollipop holders and a fridge. Flynn, his two friends and grandfather spent the day at Burnham and got to participate in a variety of Army activities, including a field activity with the infantry and the confidence course with a physical training instructor. They were taken for rides in a number of Army vehicles including the light armoured vehicle , a fire engine and a light operational vehicle,and checked out the workshops to see what goes on there. “My favourite bits were attacking the terrorists, and the confidence course,” Flynn said. “It was hard in some bits… It was very cool and awesome and there was lots of action. We ate our (ration pack) lunch in the field – and it was actually a lot nicer than they said it would be!” Flynn wants to join the Army when he is older. “The Army just inspires me,” he said.
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By Julia Banks Arthur Stubbs, the oldest surviving veteran of the Crete Invasion, died on September 15 2008 aged 104. Arthur lied about his age to go to war. He was too old to have enlisted but he and his older brother wanted to serve. So they bowled up to the enlistment office unrehearsed and were faced with a family friend behind the counter who asked for their birth dates knowing they were too old. They both gave the same date which made them several years younger than they really were. The friendly sergeant looked up and said “Oh, twins eh!” and so off to war they went. Arthur spent six years 135 days fighting for his country. Of this time he spent five years 269 days away from New Zealand. He was wounded and still had shrapnel coming to the surface 25 years later - as boils on his bottom! He was on the run in Crete for nine months but never spoke of it much. He gave away his rations to other escapees and lost his hair when it froze to the top of the POW train carriage roof. No matter what, he was always smiling. He may have been small in stature but he was big of heart. Arthur showed LTCOL Warren Banks a letter addressed to Arthur’s father regarding Arthur’s conduct in the German POW camp where he was imprisoned after Crete. The letter stated Arthur had been “charged with disobedience of orders and assaulting a German detachment leader. ... He was ordered to get up at 4 am to be at his place of work at 7 am. Lance Corporal Stubbs refused to arise at the stated hour ... and intentionally loitered in the washroom where a struggle ensued..... I regret having to distress you with information of this nature .... but your son was legally represented by council at the hearing ...” and sentenced to 18 months imprisonment. The civilities of war in a by-gone era. Until his death Arthur still exhibited some of that same mischievousness.
The first task: Exercise Tormina, where the contestants completed various administrative tasks
ADMINISTRATOR OF THE YEAR COMPETITON The Administrator of the Year competition was held in the School of Army Administration at Waiouru Military Camp as part of the RNZALR Trade Competition recently. The four entrants came from across the country: LCPL Haiden Adamski (Auckland), CPL Luke Fraser (Linton), LCPL Chris Robinson (Trentham) and LCPL Cole Willetts (Burnham). The competition was co-ordinated by SSGT Duncan Biss and assessed by the school’s instructors. The contestants completed various exercises testing their trade knowledge and leadership ability. Exercise Tormina, conducted in an office environment, consisted of theory and practical administrative tasks, and two leaderless field exercises. Congratulations to CPL Fraser who was awarded the Administrator of the Year at the final function 1st CPL Fraser 2nd LCPL Willets 3rd LCPL Adamski (L-R) LCPL H. Adamski, LCPL C. Robinson, LCPL C. Willetts and CPL L. Fraser
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TRAIN TO WIN Co-operative Spirit 2008 By Nicole Munro-Johnson, reporting from Germany Although the objective of the ABCA Armies’ Cooperative Spirit 2008 is to achieve interoperability between the five participating nations, there is a lot more to the activity here at the Joint Multinational Readiness Centre (JMRC) in Hohenfels, Germany. That is the training and development of 1800 soldiers, many of whom will be deployed to Afghanistan within the next 12 months. This JMRC facility provides a sophisticated environment for the training of all personnel who rotate through it, and teams of Observer Controllers (OCs) are employed to pass on personal experience and feedback throughout the course of the Situational Training Exercises (STX) and the Field Training Exercises (FTX) conducted here. Major Jeffrey Schmidt is the Operations Officer for the Vampire team of OCs, and is working closely with the New Zealanders and Australians. He says that the STX lanes, held from 17 to 23 September, were designed to focus on platoon and company level tasks and tactics, techniques and procedures. “The STX lanes are an opportunity for us to take the soldiers through a self standing scenario that allows us to work specific battle drills that as sponsors, we have complete control over. When you compare it to the FTX portion of the exercise they’re much more scripted or ‘canned’, and we can focus on specific points we want to train on.”
The STX lanes consisted of combat patrols, raids as a Quick Reaction Force and cordon and search, all by day and by night.
Fighting in a built up area has been conducted in a ‘shoothouse’, with all the nations being able to carry out live firing in the purpose built building with walls made of Kevlar and rubber. The additional mix of counter-IED procedures, local engagement, counter sniper, Casevac, air support and vehicle mobility operations, all superimposed onto each scenario for complexity, were located in and around very realistic Afghan villages.
Major Schmidt has spent 15 months in Baghdad and 12 months in Tikrit in Iraq, and says that the OC’s bring their experience ‘down range’ back to the JMRC to pass on to the soldiers who come through the facility. “This is a good opportunity to share personal experiences of combat in a COIN environment and assist units in achieving that higher level of training. You get to interact with a group of highly trained professionals and share that information with them.” After each iteration in the STX lanes, the OCs debrief the team in an after activity report (AAR). Major Schmidt says that giving immediate feedback is important. “The strength of the STX is in the very thorough AARs after every event. The response from the Kiwis to the feedback and advice has been outstanding. They’ve come here with the attitude of ‘we’re here to learn and train hard’ and it’s been refreshing for us because we often see units that are somewhat tired and set in their ways and aren’t always as open to our feedback as the Kiwis have been. They take the points we make and apply them immediately in the following iterations.” LT Tane North, Commander of 4 Platoon Bravo Coy, says that all the Kiwis have appreciated the honesty and depth of the feedback from the OCs. “They always give us something to improve on, but also tell us what we have done well. I wish I could work with them for longer. They’ve provided us with some excellent feedback and the benefits have been amazing.” The Kiwi unit, have had to integrate vehicles as more than just transport into their battle plan. “We noticed a big improvement in the use of the vehicles as more than just transport. They can be used to block roads and move detainees or casualties around the battlefield. Figuring out the best area to place them was not the New Zealander’s strength at first, but as they continued to use them more and more, they began to integrate them into their overall battle plan.” The STX lanes kept the nations working mostly separately. As the FTX begins, and the Kiwis and Australians work more closely together within the ANZAC Battlegroup, Major Schmidt says that he expects to see good cooperation. “I’m seeing the two forces blend, and as they continue to work together more I expect to see the line between the two nations get fuzzier and fuzzier. All indicators are that they have a solid plan for the FTX that should make their operations very successful.”
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ISSUE 392 | 14 OCTOBER 2008
Are you up to it? WEIGHT LOSS PROGRAMME
WO1 Marcus Fowler (Senior Physical Training Advisor) There is a simple way of determining whether you will lose or put on weight. “Calories in” must be less than “calories used” to lose weight. If “calories in” are more than “calories used”, you will gain weight. Fortunately everything you do consumes calories in one way or another, including sleeping (just not very many). Many of the new fitness machines found in gyms have readouts available to measure your calorie expenditure. This is a great way to ensure that your workout is effective. Effective weight loss should be at the rate of 0.5 to 1kg a week. The field of fitness is an ever changing world and sometimes new information can contradict what might be current general knowledge. One example of this is the required intensity of training to lose weight. Some say that “low intensity for a long time” is the key to losing fat. Research suggests that this is OK if you are starting out but the sooner you can elevate your heart rate, the better. It’s better because having a healthy heart and lungs is essential to general well being. One of the most effective ways of measuring your heart rate (HR) is to sign out a monitor from the gym. When using the calculation of 220 then subtracting your age, you can determine your maximum (max HR). If you can elevate your HR to around 65 – 75% of max HR and hold it for an extended period, beyond 25 minutes but preferably to about 40 min to 1 hour, then you are maximising your workout time. There’s plenty of advertising around that states you can lose fat and tone up by doing one exercise a day. The “abdominiser” style of sit up machines is a classic example with claims of “rippling stomach muscles” with only five minutes a day. In the ‘80’s women were targeting butts, thighs, and buns but wondering why they weren’t making huge progress. There is no truth to “spot reduction” claims. Fat deposits mobilise equally from all areas of the body. A programme that combines whole body toning (like circuit training), and cardio vascular effort (like cycling, rowing, fast walking or running) are ideal for weight loss. These points are just the tip of the iceberg for an effective programme. Your gym staff will be more than happy to help you design and implement a suitable training programme. Just give them a call.
GETTING STARTED AGAIN WITH PT WO1 Marcus Fowler (Senior Physical Training Advisor) We’ve all been in the same boat where our training has gotten away from us, at some time. Maybe we’ve been injured or in the field or any number of other reasons, but it’s not going to get any easier to restart our fitness training than right now. Some simple strategies to assist with getting back into it are as follows;
1. START DOING EXERCISE THAT YOU ENJOY. By taking away the unknown factor and inserting ‘challenge by our own choice’ we are more likely to get into it. Build up an initial base then step it up.
2. TAKE IT EASY FOR THE FIRST WEEK. Your first run or circuit might seem pretty light but there’s a good chance there will be some muscle soreness after a couple of days. Don’t let this muscle soreness put you off though. This is probably just a reaction to the exercise that you’ve done. Naturally, if the soreness seems excessive or prolonged, a visit to the doctor will be required.
3. GET A PROGRAMME from the PTIs to ensure you are putting your energy into something worthwhile. They will help you make the most of your training session ensuring that your efforts are well balanced and targeting the areas that you want.
4. TREAT YOURSELF TO SOME COOL NEW GEAR. A decent set of running shoes will make a world of difference. Running shoes have a ‘life’ of around 6 months of regular use before the cushioning effect starts to degrade. On the subject of shoes, you should try to get sports shoes that are specific for the exercise that you do. There are loads of types available and it can be confusing to get the right thing. Getting the wrong model can increase your chances of injury and also wreck your flash new shoes.
WHAT IS ENERGY?
Capt Nicola Martin (Dietitian) Our bodies receive energy from what are known as macronutrients – the carbohydrate, protein, fat (and alcohol) in foods and beverages that we consume each day. Although vitamins and minerals are very important, they do not play a direct role in providing us with energy. The energy provided by macronutrients can be measured in either the imperial measurement, kilocalories (kcal), or the metric kilojoules (kJ). 1 kcal roughly equals 4.2 kJ. We burn energy primarily through basal metabolism and physical activity, with a small amount used for digesting and absorbing food. Energy In = Energy Out Energy Balance. I.e. If you burn up the same amount of energy you eat and drink your weight will stay the same. Energy In > Energy Out Weight Gain I.e. If you eat and drink more energy than you are burning up you will put on weight. Energy In < Energy Out Weight Loss I.e. If you eat and drink less energy than you are burning up you will lose weight. How much exercise do you have to do for a treat? 1 chocolate muffin = 25 minutes brisk walking 1 punnet hot chips = 1 hour vacuuming 1 Mars bar = 45 minutes tennis 1 Big Mac = 55 minutes running 600 mL Coke = 30 minutes swimming 2 x Toffee Pops = 40 minutes cycling
ARMYHEALTH17
R, FASTER, STRONGER...
ISSUE 392 | 09 SEPTEMBER 2008
AVOIDING THE SNACK TRAP! Capt Nicola Martin (Dietitian) Healthy snacks can reduce hunger and prevent overeating at meals. They can also suppress food cravings, provide a quick, nutritious energy boost and are a great way to fuel-up before and after training sessions. However, snacking can be a real trap when it comes to staying healthy or losing weight, and it’s important to make sure that our snacks don’t add up to extra kilos. With busy lives, work pressures and family commitments, planning and preparation of snacks are important. You need to know ‘what’ you’re eating, ‘when’ you’re going to eat it, ‘why’ you’re eating it and ‘how much’ of it you’re going to eat. Regular meals with in between snacks, mid-morning and mid-afternoon, are ideal. As a rough guide meals and snacks should be at least 90 – 120 minutes apart, in order to avoid the habit of all-day grazing. Think about why you’re snacking and avoid turning to food if you’re bored or emotional. Often thirst is mistaken for hunger – have a glass of water and wait 5 minutes – if you’re still hungry and a meal is at least 90 minutes away, have a snack; but if dinner is only 30 minutes away, think again. Snacks should be foods that satisfy hunger and provide lots of nutrients, such as vitamins, minerals and fibre. Foods that are high in fat and/or sugar generally don’t provide many nutrients and should be considered as ‘treat foods’ – not everyday foods. A snack is a light meal so be wary of the portion sizes of your snacks and reduce main meal portions to balance out snacks eaten throughout the day. This way you will avoid over-eating, where any excess will be stored as fat.
Some tips and tricks to avoid the snack trap: t Always eat breakfast and regular meals throughout the day. t If you buy it and put it in the pantry – it will get eaten. t Focus on your meal or snack by always sitting down at a table to eat. t Avoid eating when standing, driving, working or watching TV as you are distracted and probably have no idea how much food you’re putting in your mouth. t Put all snacks on a plate – so you can see how much you’re eating. t Do not eat out of a packet. t Stock up on healthy snacks – so you don’t have to resort to the vending machine or chocolate biscuits. t Have a piece of fruit before you leave work to avoid snacking when you get home. t Try chewing sugar free gum between meals and whilst preparing dinner – you will be less likely to put anything else in your mouth. Healthy daily snack ideas: t Fresh fruit t Yoghurt t Flavoured dairy food t Dried fruit, raw nuts and seed mix t Vegetables (baby carrots, cherry tomatoes, cucumber sticks) with hummus or salsa t Rice crackers, bagel crisps or wholegrain crackers with cottage cheese, hummus or salsa t Plain popcorn t Pretzels Higher energy snacks – ideal if physically active: t Fruit and nut bread with jam or honey t Toasted English muffin with cheese and tomato t Bran or fruit muffin t Fruit smoothie (trim milk, yoghurt, fruit) t Small can of creamed rice t Up & Go t Low fat cereal bars t Plain biscuits (e.g. gingernuts, vanilla wine, fruit fingers, full o’ fruits)
SGT JASON MARSHALL General comments on programme: It has totally increased my awareness about the food choices I make. I’m a lot more conscious of what goes into my mouth.
With the PT it is a matter of finding out what type of training you enjoy, fitting it into your day and sticking with it. It definitely gets easier. It has been a great lifestyle change for my whole family in terms of exercising more and eating well. Easiest part of challenge: Making healthy food choices – it’s really easy! Hardest part of challenge: Getting into a routine with PT. Being on course with SSgt Anderson has been great as we motivate each other so finding a training buddy is a great start. Any advice to others: Make a decision about what you want to achieve and stick with it. Make sure your goals are realistic. Set minor goals on the road to the major goal so you have small wins along the way.
SGT AILEEN TOUGH
General comments on programme: The biggest thing has been an increased awareness about making healthier choices, whether eating at home, eating out or eating on the go. There are lots of healthy options when you look for them. Include PT in your day – everyday and stick with it! Easiest part of challenge: Having breakfast every day – it is a great way to set your self up for the day. Hardest part of challenge: Planning an evening meal at home and not socialising with lots of food and drink. Managing PT with injuries. Any advice to others: Eat breakfast every day and look for ways to make your everyday recipes healthier, for example, tone a really hot curry down with natural yoghurt instead of coconut cream!
18ARMYHEALTH ISSUE 392 | 14 OCTOBER 2008
WHAT IS CHOLESTEROL? Cholesterol is a type of fat present in animal foods and also made by the liver. A certain amount is essential in the body. What are the Different Types of Cholesterol? Cholesterol is carried around the body on special proteins called lipoproteins. These include: Low density lipoprotein (LDL) – cholesterol High density lipoprotein (HDL) – cholesterol.
HOW DO THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF CHOLESTEROL AFFECT ME? Too much LDL-cholesterol causes fatty deposits to build up in artery walls causing narrowing (known as atherosclerosis) which may cause the artery to become blocked. If this occurs in the arteries that supply your heart muscle, it will cause a heart attack. If it occurs in the arteries to the brain, it will cause a stroke. This process happens slowly over many years. Some of the harmful effects of too much LDL-cholesterol are reduced by HDLcholesterol, which removes deposits of LDL-cholesterol from the artery walls and returns it to the liver where they are broken down and eliminated from the body. There are genetic (inherited) causes of high cholesterol. However, too much saturated and trans fatty acids in your diet, as well as being overweight will likely increase your cholesterol levels. Levels of HDL-cholesterol are increased by regular exercise.
WHAT ARE TRIGLYCERIDES? Triglycerides are another type of blood fat. They are increased in people who are overweight and in those who eat too much sugar, fat and alcohol. What Should my Blood Cholesterol Levels Be? The ideal cholesterol profile, according to the National Heart Foundation is:
Total cholesterol
Less than 4.0 mmol/L
LDL-cholesterol
Less than 2.5 mmol/L
HDL-cholesterol
Greater than 1.0 mmol/L
TC:HDL ratio
Less than 4.5
Triglycerides
Less than 1.7 mmol/L
HOW CAN I LOWER MY BLOOD CHOLESTEROL LEVELS? t t t t
Follow a heart healthy dietary pattern. Lose weight if you are overweight. Do regular physical activity. Avoid excessive drinking of alcohol.
WHAT IS A HEART HEALTHY DIET? t t t t t t t t t t t t t t
Eat 3 regular meals every day. Moderate portion sizes. Aim for at least 5 serves of fruit and vegetables every day. Choose wholegrain breads or cereals instead of white bread and low fibre cereals. Eat oily fish once or twice a week, e.g. tuna, salmon and sardines (canned is ok). Include legumes regularly, e.g. baked beans, chilli beans and chickpeas. Trim fat from meat and skin from chicken. Use low and reduced-fat dairy products in place of butter, cream, cheese and blue-top milk. Limit fatty processed meats, such as salami, sausages, saveloys and canned corned beef. Limit biscuits, cakes and pastries, such as pies and sausage rolls. Limit deep fried takeaways and high-fat treat foods, such as chocolate and potato chips. Choose healthy oils for cooking, baking and table spreads, such as olive, canola, sunflower, safflower, soy bean, avocado and rice bran oils. Limit sugary and alcoholic drinks. Use salt sparingly and limit high salt foods.
LTCOL STEVE ODELL
General comments on programme: It’s all about breaking habits formed over a lifetime. I started thinking about why I ate certain things that I knew are not good for me. Why did I have my coffee NATO standard with two sugars when one tastes much the same? Just because the morning tea had sausage rolls, did I need to eat them? Simple things that make a big difference to weight gain. I have lost 4 kgs without any real effort, never felt hungry and seem to have more energy during the day. I have been following the Army Wellness Program PT plan, which has a range of exercises with a steady increase each week. I can see a lot of merit in having a program that does a little each day as opposed to a big burst of activity 2-3 times a week! I am enjoying the variety in the program and feel that I am pushing myself without trying to break anything! 45 push-ups the other day…haven’t done that for a few years! Easiest part of challenge. Cutting down on comfort food wasn’t as hard as I thought. There are plenty of good food choices available to compensate for the not so good choices. Hardest part of challenge. Recognising that in your 40’s your body behaves differently and you need to modify your food and training. Any advice to others. Accept that you are not the young buck you once were but there is still plenty of challenge in a tailored nutrition and fitness program. It should be seen as a lifestyle change for whatever time you have left both inside and outside the Army.
SSGT COLIN ANDERSON LN 08-0031-03
Capt Nicola Martin (Dietitian)
SSgt John Irving (Senior Rehabilitation Instructor) What do you need to do when you receive an injury? The initial reaction is to protect the injury to prevent further harm or pain being inflicted. However, for some injuries we can over protect or protect for such a long time that we start to develop a whole new list of problems such a muscle shortening and joint stiffness, aided by initial injury swelling. The trick to managing injury is to seek initial medical advice if you feel the injury warrants it. Whether medical intervention is received or not the next step is to follow the list below. Key to Combating Injury Regular progressive physical programme, working on the following: t Increase range of joint movement (equal to opposite side) when safe to do so* t Strengthen the muscles around the injured area (equal to opposite side) when safe to do so* t Start performing exercises which consist of every day movement (primal) patterns i.e. bending, twisting, pushing, pulling, squatting, lunging and gait or walking re-education t Work on good, regular core conditioning t Perform regular (daily) stretching t Ensure you take on good hydration – water based not alcohol laced t Keep to a good balanced diet t Ensure you have a good nights sleep between 7-9hrs if possible. t * Sound and friendly advice can be obtained from your MO, Physio or Rehab Instructor (if referred).
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MANAGING YOUR CHOLESTEROL?
DEALING WITH INJURY MANAGEMENT AND REHABILITATION
General comments on programme: I feel the benefits of this programme on a daily basis now in terms of improved fitness, increased energy levels throughout the day and great sleeps at night (with hardly any snoring now)! I’m reinvigorated about PT and going to the gym first thing in the morning is my favourite part of the day. I haven’t had this much energy since I was 20! Initially it was hard to leave old habits behind, like party pies and takeaways, but now I don’t even miss them. Easiest part of challenge: NOW…that it’s all part of my daily routine! Hardest part of challenge: The first trip to the gym! Any advice to others: Keep going – it definitely gets easier and make sure you surround yourself with support people.
ARMYNEWS19
CALLING ALL THAILAND ENGINEERS….
Elena Ineleo and Jack Hayes with the medal
ISSUE 392 | 14 OCTOBER 2008
RNZE engineers who served in Thailand in the 1960s are due for NZGSM 1992 (nonwarlike) with clasp ‘Thailand.’ But finding those engineers is proving a mission for Mr Jack Hayes, Personnel Branch’s medals policy adviser, and his assistant, Elena Ineleo. In 1964 Plant Troop, 2 Construction Sqn, RNZE was deployed from Linton Camp to assist British and Australian sappers in the construction of the all weather airport strip at Mukdahan, Thailand. This was called “Operation Crown” and was a full plant troop with RNZEME mechanics and RNZASC drivers. Movement to and from Thailand was by RNZAF with the initial deployment in March 1964 and returning to NZ for the Thailand ‘wet season’ – Jul to Sep 1964, then re-deploying again until their return in 1965. This was a different project to the Feeder Roads Project in North East Thailand called ‘5 Spec Team’ under command of Capt Ken Rutherford, RNZE. Under the command of Lt B G (Bruce) Jenkin, RNZE, the Operation Crown deployment took place as planned and was a success. Medallic recognition for this deployment was approved in 2003 as the NZGSM 1992 (non-warlike) with clasp ‘Thailand’. A good number of the team deployed have had their medals awarded, but Jack and Elena are now looking for the following engineers (or their next of kin). They are asking Army News readers to use their extended family networks and help find these men so they can receive their medals. Medals will be awarded to a designated family member if the veteran has since died. If you can find them or have information that will help us contact them, then please email: Jack Hayes – Policy Adviser Medals Policy, Pers Branch, HQ NZDF at jack.hayes@ nzdf.mil.nz or call him on 04 498 6827. Alternatively applications for the medal should be sent by letter to Staff Officer Medals, Private Bag 905, UPPER HUTT 5140 Army News will publish a list of the engineers who served in the Thailand Feeder Road project and who are also due medals, in a forthcoming issue. The Operation Crown personnel who are entitled to this medal are: 30707 Lt RT Bennett RNZE Troop 2 IC 33993 SSgt K A Radford RNZE Foreman 650903 LCpl K Evans RNZE Clerk 37742 Sgt I W Chudleigh RNZE Tech. Storemen 597675 Cpl T T Mihaere RNZE Plant Operator 71821 LCpl F W Cheyne RNZE Plant Operator 803021 LCpl J J Campbell RNZE Plant Operator 39535 Spr J H Hendrick RNZE Plant Operator 515626 Spr A R Marsden RNZE Plant Operator 599952 Spr S G Mills RNZE Plant Operator 832439 LCpl A R Harrison RNZE Plant Operator 39532 Spr S S Meadows RNZE Plant Operator 926001 LCpl R L Buchanan RNZE Driver All Arms 38364 LCpl W B Gatenby RNZEME Vehicle Mechanic 38446 LCpl G McNicol RNZEME Vehicle Mechanic 39521 Cfn B Whaitiri RNZEME Vehicle Mechanic Unknown Dvr C Hicksey RNZASC Cook
NEW COMMAND AND CONTROL PUBLICATION LAUNCHED A significant new doctrine publication which sets a new benchmark for command and control within the New Zealand Defence Force was launched recently by the Vice Chief of Defence Force Rear Admiral Jack Steer. NZDDP 00.1 Command and Control in the NZDF provides a guide to the New Zealand Defence Force’s national command structure, states of command, operational command and control arrangements, and terminology in one functional document. The publication which focuses on NZDF command arrangement at the operational level, is designed to be used by New Zealand military commanders, staff and practitioners. It will primarily be used by NZDF instructors for training courses and by personnel developing plans for operations or major joint exercises. RA Steer said, “The new document leverages off and is benchmarked against the joint doctrine of traditional allies as well as NATO, but has a distinctly New Zealand flavour and reflects our unique political, strategic, cultural and organisational identity.” While the publication will not fundamentally change what the NZDF has been doing RA Steer said, “It will allow trainers in NZ to teach a standardised command control doctrine rather than use a number of overseas doctrines. “It will also enhance interoperability with allied forces by providing them with a doctrinal baseline from which they can develop an understanding of the NZDF approach to command and control.” Command and Control is a fundamental aspect of all military operations whether they are conducted overseas or in support of the civil authorities in NZ. RA Steer said, “While the publication does provide a guideline the importance of our leaders cannot be overstated, as they alone will bring success to an operation or exercise. The actual approach taken by individual commanders will vary according to circumstances. However, finally we now have a guide that is NZDF specific, written for use by our personnel both in New Zealand and overseas.” The new publication will be distributed to wide variety of stakeholders both within New Zealand and overseas and is available on http://doctrine/desc/ addp/00.1.html
20ARMYEXERCISE
EXERCISE SUMAN WARRIOR 08
ISSUE 392 | 14 OCTOBER 2008
By Jane Mortlock The New Zealand Army hosted contingents from the armies of the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) – Singapore, the United Kingdom, Malaysia and Australia – at a training event in Burnham Camp in September. Exercise SUMAN Warrior 2008 was a Command Post Exercise (CPX) based on the defence of Christchurch and its environs in an asymmetric, non-conventional and complex operational environment. “This was a new and exciting concept for this exercise and more in line with what countries are currently practising in operations across the globe,” said Colonel Tim Keating, Commander of 2nd Land Force Group and Commanding Officer for the exercise. “Armed FPDA soldiers did not need to exercise in the city; rather, the exercise was conducted using hypothetical scenarios that were simulated on a computerised war game system, wholly within the confines of Burnham Camp.” Singaporean Commanding Officer Lt Col Chua Desmond said the SUMAN Warrior exercise was the most complex his soldiers had faced. “We have been learning a lot from the foreign nations. The bond in the military is very strong.” Second-in-Command of the Australian Armed Forces, Major Andrew Abbott, said SUMAN Warrior had been a great training scenario. “It’s been very good from the Australian perspective. It’s been a great training opportunity because we have a fairly young and inexperienced staff, but also getting to know and interact with other nations has been very good.” Personnel from the NZ Police, Emergency Management, Christchurch International Airport and civil authorities also came out during the exercise to observe or participate, adding significantly to the value of the exercise for all participants. Thirty-five years on, New Zealand still places great importance on the FPDA, despite the absence of any conventional external threats and the maturing military capability of Malaysia and Singapore meaning that they may not need the same level of reassurances the FPDA provided in 1971. The FPDA was established in November 1971 to replace the Anglo-Malaysian Defence Agreement (AMDA). Under the Arrangements, the Five Powers undertook to consult immediately in the event of a threat against Malaysia or Singapore, to decide what measures should be taken jointly or separately in response. The FPDA were not intended as a response to any defined threat to Malaysia and Singapore, but more as a means of providing political reassurance to our regional Southeast Asian Commonwealth partners. Other important outcomes of the FPDA include supporting confidence building and stability in the region, and developing and enhancing interoperability between the Defence Forces of the five member countries.
Photos: Courtesy The Press
ARMYPEOPLE21
LT Nick Fuller and LT Ruth Tautari - in Queenstown after completing the challenge
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ISSUE 392 | 14 OCTOBER 2008
Lt Alex McDonald
DEFENCE EFFORT RAISES FUNDS FOR SICK KIDS The Army team that took part in the Accor $10 Queenstown challenge earlier this month raised nearly $12,000 for the Cure Kids charity. The three Defence teams who took part in the challenge raised a total of $32,000 for Cure Kids, and the whole event raised $400,000 . The money will be used to help fund the national screening programme into inherited heart diseases as well as other vital medical research into children’s illnesses. The challenge began in Auckland, with the aim of getting to Queenstown in three days spending just $10. As well as finding their own transport during the challenge the 28 teams taking part also to complete a number of physical, mental and creative activities. The first challenge was a ‘pimp my ride’ which saw the Navy team in a limousine, Army in a recovery vehicle and Air Force in a model helicopter on the back of a truck. The NZDF teams were Navy: Sub-Lieutenant Fraser Toulmin and Sub-Lieutenant Darcy Topp, Army: Second Lieutenants (2LT) Nick Fuller and Ruth Tautari, Air Force: Flight Lieutenant Barbara Finlayson and Pilot Officer Sean McKeogh. Before the event all teams participating in the challenge had to raise $7,000 for Cure Kids. Totals raised by the Services are as follows: Navy $12,411.75, Army $11,652.60 Air Force $7,783.78.
1 NZSAS Gp Selection Course 08 - 27 Nov 08 Nominations are now open. (Nominations close 28 Oct 08)
For all enquiries: email: @NZSASRec or Phone: (09) 296 6889
Behind every good fundraising event there are a bunch of busy organisers, and the Army $10 challenge team was no exception. Linton-based Second Lieutenant Alex McDonald set to work when his mate Nick Fuller told him he was a member of the Army team. “I asked our CO (LTCOL Rob Krushka) what we were allowed to do to raise funds, and the RSM, WO1 Kevin Yorwarth and our adjutant Captain James Layzell were also involved in the planning.” Their fund-raising included the auction on Trademe of a professional development day at Linton, as well as a fine dining experience, with a meal cooked by the Army’s award-
winning chefs. “We auctioned LAV rides at Linton and Burnham, and several regiments encouraged their members to donate $1 each.” Other fund-raising activities included a mufti-day, a camp-wide lunchtime curry, and a war-gaming competition. Soldiers from 1 RNZIR took to the streets of Palmerston North with collection buckets, and a Trash and Treasure auction was held at the Linton Officers’ Mess. Alex says he has not had any fund-raising experience, but “really enjoyed” helping the team. “It was for a great cause, so it was well worth it.”
22ARMYPEOPLE ISSUE 392 | 14 OCTOBER 2008
COOKING ON THE MOVE
By SGT James Turipa It definitely wasn’t a case of turning a loaf of bread and a handful of fish into a bounty for thousands for the Burnham catering crew on Exercise Virgo 08 recently. Nineteen caterers from 3 Workshops and Catering Company deployed in the wider Burnham Area to complete the exercise. It provided the unit’s junior caterers with an opportunity to develop field catering skills on both the Tactical Field Kitchen (TFK Karcher), and the M2A’s, and to enhance general soldier skills. The caterers were required to site, set up and camouflage a kitchen, in order to produce hot, nutritious meals to the B Block mess for 300 personnel and then change location at least once a day. The week gradually progressed, adding more choices to each meal while maintaining the same quality of food. Each day's work began at 0400, preceded by a night’s sentry. Breakfast was cooked, hot boxed and in the press at Burnham by 0600. This was followed by a pack up and move, only to set up 30 minutes later in another location and then the routine of morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea for themselves, the staff and various visitors. Then straight into dinner for B Block, which left the nights for lessons and other sleep depriving activities. The week culminated in a contact and night move of the kitchen, with both pack up and set up being completed faster than the previous day’s move. In general those involved performed well, and experienced an exercise usually reserved for the more senior personnel from the catering trade. The exercise provided everyone the chance to learn and hone new skills, as well as providing a stepping stone for 11 of the junior staff into catering requirements before they attended their first trade course.
TARANAKI BATTLE SITE TOUR FOR MSI
By LCPL Tristelle Ross The Education Corps celebrated its 54th birthday in September with a week of events beginning in Linton. Of course with every Corps Day there is compliance training to be conducted. On completion we embarked on what was to be a memorable and informative three days of turning back the clock the 2008 Taranaki Battle site tour. Led by Commanding Officer , LTCOL Richard Taylor and Special Projects Officer, LTCOL Simons, we visited a total of 13 different battle sites including Cameron’s Block house (redoubt). At each site we were told how the battle was conducted and what the final outcome was, and a “look-forward” to the subsequent battle. At the various battlesites, we observed some beautiful New Zealand countryside scenery. Some of the locations visited were hidden out of the public eye, which meant we were required to drive and walk off the beaten track. Fortunately, most sites were a little more obvious as they were perched on the side of the road. Most New Zealanders would normally drive past, unable to appreciate the history that each monument represents. We, however, stopped to relive each and every moment. At one battle, the Siege of Te Arei, the British soldiers worked tirelessly over three months, digging trenches leading to the Maori Pa site. They used bundles of branches and trenches leading off the main sap for protection while digging in daylight. This tactic trapped the Maori in their Pa. Short of food and demoralised by the approaching British soldiers, the Maori finally surrendered. This opportune victory for the British brought the hard-fought campaign to an end. Actually being on the battle site, walking through each battle and having it explained throughout involved interactive learning to which most soldiers can relate to. We were able to see where each Pa site was and how they were built. This gave us a better understanding how life may have been for Maori in the 1800s. The tour gave us a lot to think about and portrayed the lack of knowledge we, as New Zealand citizens actually have about our country’s history. This short historical sabbatical built on our professional development, and would be a valuable experience for any soldier of the New Zealand Army.
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ARMYPEOPLE23 ISSUE 392 | 14 OCTOBER 2008
LOYAL SERVICE RECOGNISED Sergeant Neal Mateara,(above left) the assistant staff officer (training) for the New Zealand Cadet Forces, was presented with an award for 25 years’ loyal service at a ceremony in Wellington recently. Colonel Paul Van den Broek made the presentation.
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By Dean Hodgson Trentham Regional Support Battalion’s Transport Wing Workshop and Gym was transformed into a mini Trade Expo recently when Blackwoods Paykels (NZDF’s primary industrial supplies and consumables supplier) and more than 40 other vendors set up sites displaying their products and services. After the vendors were welcomed to Trentham by Paul Stephen JLSO’s Contract Relationship Manager and Army’s Single Service Rep for this contract, Dean Hodgson, they were given a chance to view a Light Armoured Vehicle. From late morning until mid-afternoon there was a steady stream of personnel from Trentham and Wellington, and small contingents from Linton and Ohakea, browsing through the displays and asking questions of the experts on hand. Visitors could then wander through to the workshop where one of the main attractions was the Blackwoods Paykels sponsored Porsche GT3, driven by Jono Lester in the NZ GT3 Championship series. The weather prevented Jono from flying down for the Trade Day. However Lt Cdr Martin Walker (HQ JFNZ), Shirley Jones (DFM, Log Exec), and Cpl John Bosmann (MP COY, TRSB) will get to meet him and see more of the car as they were the lucky winners in the draw to win Hot Laps in the Porsche at Manfield in February 2009. Also on display were the welding rigs displayed by CIGWELD (which several apprentices and tradesmen tried out), and the Hitachi Power Tools, and Irwin Tools displays. Vendors’ displays included, amongst others, NZ Safety and Protector Safety, Energizer, CRC, Packaging House, Pelican cases, and hand tools from JBS (Blackwoods Paykels own brand), Mitutoyo, and Toledo. Most visitors left the Trade Day with a much better idea of the products and services that Blackwoods Paykels and their suppliers can provide to the New Zealand Defence Force. Several of DFM’s maintenance engineers and fleet managers made useful contacts with product suppliers. We also hope the suppliers present left with a better understanding of the supply needs of Army and NZDF as a whole. For a full list of the exhibiting vendors, or for more information on the Blackwoods Paykels contract, check out the JLSO Relationship Management Website http://contracts/default.htm (includes information and contacts for other Pan NZDF contracts). Or contact your Army SSR Dean Hodgson (3477372), or Paul Stephen at JLSO (343-6121).
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SUPPLIER TRADE DAY PROVIDES INFO ON PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
FIERY TED : ANZAC COMMANDER
24ARMYNEWS CROSSWORD CROSSWORD
BY MICHAEL SMITH
ISSUE 392 | 14 OCTOBER 2008
Reviewed by Alison Comrie
BY MIKE DUNCAN
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23 ACROSS: 1 Individuals not involved in a military force 7 Military accommodation 8 Axis of ----, Iraq, Iran and North Korea according to US President Bush 10 Attack helicopters 11 Having spiral grooves in the barrel of a gun 13 Action 14 US spy agency 15 Assistant 16 Colin -----, US Chair of Joint Chiefs of Staff during the Gulf War 18 Seize 20 Identifiers 21 Volatile 23 Salvoes designed to disturb the rest of enemy troops (9,4) DOWN: 2 NZ’s second largest region
3 Case for bullet and charge 4 Private cricket club based at Lords 5 Central European republic 6 Of the sea 9 Shelf 12 14 down flies from here 13 Military supplies store 14 Flag 17 Bet 19 Tooth 22 Senior (abbr)
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The author Michael Smith, is a Territorial Force Corporal with the 2nd Canterbury Nelson Marlborough West Coast (CNMWC) Battalion. He is a member of the Armoured Corps and originally served with NZ Scots. Currently Mike is attached to the Engineer Troop. His interest in Chaytor stems from his study of the First World War at university and Chaytor’s command of the Mounted Rifles, who are the forebears of the Armoured Corps. With this knowledge foremost in our minds it is necessary to remember that prior to New Zealand having a permanent military force its defence force was made up of many and varied territorial battalions throughout the country. In general, the Boer War and World War One can be seen as uniting these various battalions, troops and companies into a united New Zealand military force. Edward Chaytor was a leading player in the modernisation of the New Zealand Defence Force. Mike outlines Chaytor’s family history succinctly in the first chapter. Many New Zealanders would be familiar with family coming from overseas and settling; after all, most Kiwis originally came from somewhere else. Chaytor’s experience during his two tours of the Boer War and support of other military officers within the New Zealand force led to him being the first New Zealander to attend the British Staff College Course in 1907. At the end of this course he applied to attend the Royal Naval War College specifically for a course in ‘dealing fully with the problems of overseas expeditions and of naval attack on coast defences’ (pge 66) – both extremely important for an island country such as New Zealand. At both of these colleges he learnt first-hand the then ‘modern ways of warfare’. Michael has devoted twelve chapters to World War I. He has broken them down into the areas of the NZEF campaigns. These are Eygpt, Gallipoli, Sinai, Romani, To Rafa, Gaza, Beersheba, Plain of Philistia, Jericho, Amman, Jordan Valley, and the last chapter called Chaytor Force. His detail of the campaigns Chaytor was involved with, namely in the chapters above, is comprehensive. However, a prior knowledge of these campaigns or a companion book would be helpful when reading this. I would also have appreciated a few more maps. Mike’s detail of everyday military life and what the soldiers actually had to do to keep going is outstanding. Also it can be seen how Chaytor was always concerned about his troops and that the right thing was always done. He was a very organised and methodical man with great vision. After World War One, Chaytor became the first New Zealand born person to hold the position of General Officer Commanding. It was in this position he set out a reorganisation of the Defence Force. Mike has used his primary and secondary sources extremely well and continues to use ‘army speak’ which a soldier reading this book will appreciate. This book will be useful for those wishing to learn more about the New Zealand military forces during the Boer War and WWI. Historically it gives a valuable insight into the politics and power behind the formation of the NZ military forces. The most unfortunate thing about Chaytor is that, as Mike has revealed, there is no military memorial to this remarkable man. This I think is something that should be rectified in the years to come. Alison Comrie is a Christchurch reviewer.
Army Cadets trained for the real thing at Languard Bluff, Wanganui last week. Units from all over the North Island gathered there for their Annual Camp. Phots: Stuart Munro
“STEADFAST
AND FAITHFUL…
A FINE SOLDIER AND MAN….”
WN 08-0118-01
By Stefanie Stillaman A plaque to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the winning of a VC by New Zealander Private Henry James Nicholas was unveiled in Belgium in September. A Service of Remembrance to the New Zealanders who died whilst fighting at Polygon Wood was also held.. Both ceremonies were supported by London-based New Zealand defence staff Nicholas, a private soldier with the 1st Canterbury Battalion, won his VC for displaying outstanding courage and bravery during an attack by the New Zealand Division on the Polderhoek Chateau on the 3rd of December 1917. He was the first soldier from Canterbury to receive the award. The German defensive positions, a series of bunkers and fortified shellholes, were based around the ruins of the Polderhoek Chateau and overlooked the New Zealand frontline. The New Zealand assault, which was aimed at dislodging the Germans from this vital piece of high ground, commenced at noon with heavy artillery fire and experienced problems from the outset. The creeping barrage of artillery fell short in the muddy conditions causing significant casualties among the 1st Otago Battalion, one of two lead battalions in the assault. An icy wind unexpectedly sprung up from the west quickly dispersing any covering smoke and the ground, thick with mud, was torn up by shell holes. The progress of the 1st Otago and 1st Canterbury Battalions was significantly slowed. Private Nicholas was part of the right flanking company of the assault which took heavy casualties. One enemy strongpoint was proving to be particularly difficult and on witnessing the deaths of the section commander and the several men who attempted to storm the machine gun post, Private Nicholas decided to intervene. He signalled for the gun crew to follow him and rushed forward unobserved towards the pillbox. On reaching the parapet Private Nicholas was actually 25 yards (22.86m) ahead of his section. Alone, but undeterred, he shot the German commander who confronted him at point-blank range and jumped down among the remaining 15 Germans. Using a combination of Mills bombs, German stick grenades and the bayonet, he was able to kill 11 and capture four wounded survivors along with their machine gun. The attacking New Zealanders were eventually forced to dig-in and Nicholas went up and down his company’s frontline collecting and redistributing ammunition until the German counterattacks were finally driven off. Private Nicholas’ VC was gazetted on 8 January 1918. After the Polderhoek attack Private Nicholas remained with his company, eventually reaching the rank of Sergeant. Tragically, Nicholas was killed only 19 days before the Armistice near Le Quesnoy, France in a minor skirmish for which he was awarded the Military Medal for again displaying gallantry in the field. The Divisional History describes Nicholas as “in every respect a particularly fine soldier and man… setting always an invaluable example of steadfastness and faithfulness”. The plaque commemorating Private Nicholas’ daring and courage, erected by the community of Zonnebeke and the New Zealand Embassy in Brussels, overlooks the land the New Zealanders assaulted in 1917. Today this area comprises rich green fields and gentle, undulating farmland. It is vastly different from the mud-covered wasteland of 90 years ago. Roughly 350 local Belgians and a handful of dignitaries together with the NZDS ceremonial support st crew gathered under the bright, blue Belgian sky to hear LTCOL John Boswell’s eulogy to Private Nicholas’ brave actions and to witness the unveiling of the plaque in his honour by New Zealand’s Ambassador to Belgium, His Excellency, Mr Peter rd Kennedy. Two members of Ngati Ranana, Nadell Karatea-Kokiri and Raechel Filiata, performed a poignant waiata tautoko in support of the unveiling and the Reverend Niki Francis, Minister of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand, blessed the site. Wreaths were laid by the Ambassador for New Zealand and His Worship, the Mayor of Zonnebeke, Mr Dirk Cadoen. At the conclusion of the unveiling ceremony, the general public and the official dignitaries were given a battlefield tour by representatives from the Memorial Museum in Zonnebeke through Polygon Wood to Buttes New British Cemetery where the New Zealand Service of Remembrance was held. The New Zealand Memorial to the Missing resides in the tranquil and beautifully manicured setting of Buttes New British Cemetery. The rows of headstones, a stark white against the backdrop of vibrant green and carefully tended flowers and shrubs, hold vigil to the fallen 168 New Zealand soldiers who are buried here. The names of a further 383 New Zealanders are inscribed on the walls of the Memorial to the Missing. The Service of Remembrance was conducted by Reverend Niki Francis and held in front of the New Zealand Memorial to the Missing. The Ensign, Captain Aimee Bywater-Lutman of the New Zealand Army and the Guard formed from the Barracks of Ieper were located immediately to the right of the Memorial. Perpendicular to the Guard stood the flag bearers and the Belgian Veterans. The invited guests were seated to the left of the Memorial and the Zonnebeke Harmony Band was located behind them. This afforded the almost 450 members of the public, who were able to stand on slightly raised ground, with a good view of the entire ceremony. The Service was performed impeccably by everyone involved. From the Karanga for the official guests, through the poignant reflection played by New Zealand Piper Paul Turner and the moving account of ‘Life in the Trenches’ given by Charlotte Whiting, to the playing of ‘The Last Post’ and ‘Reveille’ by the buglers from the Last Post Association. Wreaths were laid by the Ambassador to New Zealand, the Major of Zonnebeke and representatives of the New Zealand and Belgian Defence Forces. Brigadier Whiting, Defence Advisor to the United Kingdom, recited the Ode in both Maori and English. The Service concluded with the National Anthems of Belgium and New Zealand and a blessing by Reverend Niki Francis. The Service of Remembrance was a collaborative effort by the NZDS on behalf of the NZDF, various Belgian agencies, particularly the Memorial Museum of Zonnebeke and the New Zealand Embassy in Brussels. It represented the warm and enduring friendship New Zealand has with Belgium. According to LTCOL Boswell, who planned and organised the two ceremonies, “it’s quite humbling to be given the opportunity to both honour the New Zealanders who fought in this sector some 90 years ago and to remember those who still remain here today”.
Nicholas, a private soldier with the 1 Canterbury Battalion, won his VC for displaying outstanding courage and bravery during an attack by the New Zealand Division on the Polderhoek Chateau on the 3 of December 1917.
ARMYHISTORY25 ISSUE 392 | 14 OCTOBER 2008
26ARMYCADETS WN 08-0017-49
ISSUE 392 | 14 OCTOBER 2008
CADETS GET TWIN Ten cadets from the Northern, Southern and Central regions in New Zealand found out if they had what it takes when they underwent a New Zealand Army Experience in Waiouru and Palmerston North. The visit took place over three days and the cadets lived in camp, met soldiers from different trades and saw other aspects of army life such as equipment, army food, and some physical training. A highlight for the cadets was the opportunity to ‘live fire’ various small arms weapons. Participating Cadets come from these areas: Hamilton City Cadet Unit, Rangitikei Ruapehu Cadet Unit, City of New Plymouth Cadet Unit, Nelson Cadet Unit, Invercargill Cadet Unit, City of Lower Hutt Cadet Unit, No 49 (District of Kapiti) Sqn (Paraparaumu). Background: New Zealand Cadet Forces (NZCF): There are 102 Cadet Force units scattered around the country from Kaitaia to Invercargill, and at present. Cadets is a youth leadership training organisation created from the partnership between the New Zealand Defence Force and the community. The organisation has about 400 members. It is not part of the New Zealand Defence Force. It is however, supported by and gets its military training flavour from the NZ Defence Force. Training programmes emphasize personal development and include a quality, nationally co-ordinated annual programme, which aims to: t foster a spirit of adventure and teamwork, and to develop those qualities of mind and body essential for good citizens and leaders. t provide challenging and disciplined training activities, which will be useful in either Service or civilian life. t promote an awareness of the Armed Forces, and the role they play in the community.
A HELO RIDE FOR SOUTHERN CADETS By Lt Kevin Weir A recent Insertion and retrieval activity by the 4th Otago Southland Battalion Group and No 3 Squadron Iroquois gave cadets from the four Dunedin Units, TS Waireka, TS Nimrod, No 42 (City of Dunedin) Sqn Air Training Corps and City of Dunedin Cadet Unit the opportunity of a familiarisation tour and flight. Everyone met at the Taieri Aerodrome near Dunedin for their 1300hrs flight. Unfortunately minor mechanical problems had upset the timetable and it was not until 1615hrs after safety briefings and general tour that the first detail embarked. After the Ground crew remedied the problems, all cadets took to the air. Did these young people enjoy the flight? Broad smiles say a lot and the thrill of traveling with doors open always make for exciting travel. I think the ‘Blue’ machine may well have recruited a new group of very interested personal. I still remember my first flight in an Iroquois out of Wigram many years ago and I am sure these cadets will boast their trip for a long time as well. Well done No3 Sqn and the flight crew, ground crew and others that made this possible for a wonderful opportunity for our youth. I thank you all on behalf of the Cadet Force Units in Dunedin for such a great display and opportunity.
CADETS ON EXERCISE
By Lt Kevin Weir (NZCF) City of Dunedin Cadet Unit The OPORD arrived, the invitation extended. We were allowed to participate in the 4th Otago Southland Battalion Groups annual endurance race. A grueling 26km race made up of teams of a maximum number of seven and individuals from Regular Force and Territorial Units from around New Zealand, although this year, I believe only those from the South Island were participating. The race starts low on the slopes of Flagstaff, the backdrop hills of Dunedin and extends from Flagstaff Hill at 668 m to Swampy Summit at 739m. Much of the terrain travelled is exposed and open to the elements and Saturday the 16th was no exception. After recent snow falls we were to find muddy ground conditions conditions, especially on the tops, and ice with a covering of snow. Seven Cadets made up the team with two Cadet Force officers and 4th OSR RSM in attendance as support personnel. After safety briefings and full gear check all personnel were transported to the start location. The City of Dunedin Cadet Unit was to depart first followed by the other teams in two minute intervals. At this point I think we were doing reasonably well because my lungs were exploding, my calf and thigh muscles were screeching and groaning and my 50 year old frame was doing many other uncoordinated things. It was not until the tops, close to the first check point, that we were overtaken by the top two teams so I knew we had given it our best. Four more check points to go then the homeward stretch. I can’t believe I’m thinking this way already. The race continued on, along the tops, back down to the valley floor, back up to Swampy. Only another two check points to go and I can’t remember any other team passing us yet. Had they got lost? Had we got lost? Plodding on, because that’s what I can do best now, we head to the finish line. It was a pretty quick run down from the tops. Hard on the knees but we are almost there 100 metres, 50 metres, almost there, just around the corner………………and we turn right for a dog leg that takes us at least a couple of km away from the finish line and if that wasn’t bad enough the final leg back to the finish point was up a slope that I reckon we just about needed to be roped together ( Not quite, but my body was feeling it by now and powers of exaggeration sometimes are the best adjectives). The skirl of the bagpipes as the team came in repowered my enthusiasm and I pushed forward to trail behind the team to belatedly take the accolades. Well done to these kids, they had done really well. Their prize well it was coming and so was mine. At the conclusion we were all taken the Dunedin Hospital Physiotherapy pool - 35 degrees of pure heaven. A prize giving and dinner were held at the Army Hall. All participants of the Cadet team were given New Zealand Army T-shirts and one of the cadets was presented with a prize for being the youngest competitor. Would I do it again? I would and I know the cadets would. If this was a lesson and we were to state the objective I would say it was to observe the camaraderie and esprit de corps of the territorial soldier under adverse and competitive conditions. And the result of this lesson? Well I think you may well have subliminally recruited. The cadets just don’t know it yet. Well done 4th OSR for a well organized activity and a special thank you for allowing cadets to participate.
WN 08-0017-43
ARMY EXPERIENCE
PEAKS BATTLE TAB
ARMYPEOPLE27 ISSUE 392 | 14 OCTOBER 2008
FIELD ENGINEER SKILLS HONED IN TEKAPO
Burnham-based 3 Field Troop Engineers trained recently in Tekapo for three weeks, concentrating on force protection, log obstacle construction, demolitions, mortar pit construction, weapons effect on sandbag sangars, wiring, sandbagging, tower construction, improvised blast walls and anti-vehicle ditching. A 50m x 60m compound was constructed with improvised blast walls and anti-vehicle ditches around it. Towers were built for observation posts, and will be used as targets for future training.
PROMOTIONS: Regt No R54456 W1007374 J994942 D992913 B55316 J995264 P1015509 M1018681 P1017579 N56661 L1002649 H1013824 X1015586 R1014821 Y1007813 N1008930 W998358 Y1016116 F1014535 R1016431 T1016134 X1014137 X1011055 C1018695 S1017467 A1014530 V1006177 U1008522 S1017352 K749832
Rank WO2 SGT SSGT SSGT SSGT SGT CPL LCPL LCPL LTCOL MAJ LCPL LCPL LCPL CPL CPL CAPT LCPL CPL LCPL LCPL LCPL LCPL LCPL LCPL LCPL SGT LCPL LCPL SSGT
Inits GP AW SM AT LA TN BC SI AJJ J.C S.M.L MA BM EJ RJ MJ D.J TB JL TM SN HS MA SN RJ D SJ AJ TE PJ
Surname Effective PATUWAI 29-Apr-08 HOUBEN 1-Jul-08 REID 1-Jul-08 SMART 8-Jul-08 CALEB 16-Jul-08 BOXER-PAKI 25-Jul-08 HARVEY 7-Aug-08 SMITH 7-Aug-08 BRIDGEMAN 11-Aug-08 BLISS 18-Aug-08 HARRISON 18-Aug-08 CUFF 21-Aug-08 HOHAIA 21-Aug KODERICH 21-Aug-08 MCDONALD 21-Aug-08 RYAN 21-Aug-08 SHERIDAN 22-Aug-08 ANDERSON 26-Aug-08 CONNOLLY 26-Aug-08 LAL 26-Aug-08 MARTIN 27-Aug-08 MURFITT 27-Aug-08 TUPAI 27-Aug-08 MILLER 29-Aug-08 WARD 29-Aug-08 PRIORE 2-Sep-08 PATERSON 3-Sep-08 YEARBURY 3-Sep-08 SELLWOOD 4-Sep-08 LOCHEAD 06AUT08
Corps RNZIR RNZAC RNZE RNZALR RNZIR RNZALR RNZALR RNZALR RNZE RNZALR RNZAC RNZIR RNZALR RNZALR RNZIR RNZIR RNZA RNZIR RNZIR RNZIR RNZIR RNZIR RNZIR RNZAMC RNZAMC RNZIR RNZALR RNZALR RNZALR RNZSIGS
Recruits use whatever means possible to read instructions on exercise in Waiouru recently
OH 08-0696-12
28ARMYSPORT ISSUE 392 | 14 OCTOBER 2008
By Gordon Forrester, NZ Army Sports Co-ordinator I am often asked about the current policy for those personnel of the NZ Army to attend sports tournaments and sports related activities. There are three categories; Regular Force, Territorial Force and Civilian employees of the NZDF. The rules for each category are mostly the same, except for some slight differences. All RF personnel who are named as a player in a unit, regional, NZ Army or NZDF sports team must have passed the Required Fitness Level (RFL) to a minimum of G3(1) level within six months of the commencement of any tournament they attend. Those personnel who act in a management or official role must have a current RFL qualification to a minimum of G3(2) level and obtain medical clearance to participate in the activity. Personnel who are permanently medically downgraded and/or permanently excused the RFL, may attend sports activities as an official with unit clearance. All Territorial Force personnel who are named as a player in a unit, regional, NZ Army or NZDF sports team must have passed an RFL qualification, to a minimum of G3(1) level, within 12 months of the commencement of any tournament they attend . TF personnel who act in a management or official role must have a current RFL qualification to a minimum of G3(2) level and must demonstrate that they are medically cleared to conduct the activity, this at their own expense. Personnel who are permanently downgraded medically and/or permanently excused the RFL, may attend sports activities as an official with unit clearance. All civilian personnel who are employed by the NZDF but align themselves to Army, and who are selected as a player in a unit, regional, NZ Army or NZDF sports team must have passed the RFL to a minimum of G3(1) level within six months of the commencement of any tournament they attend. Civilian staff who act in a management or official role must have a current RFL qualification to a minimum of G3(2) level and must demonstrate that they are medically cleared to conduct the activity, which will be at their own expense. Army sport is a very competitive environment and in order to ensure that the highest possible standard of competition is achieved, the minimum level of Army fitness is used to provide a consistent benchmark across all sporting codes. Quite apart from this, we would place our participants at greater risk of injury if there was no measure of fitness to clear personnel before participation. Qualifying on an RFL is not an employment condition for civilian staff of the NZDF, so why does Army insist on civilian employees qualifying on an RFL prior taking part in Army Sport? The RFL is a proven test of physical fitness which provides us with a standard measurement to ensure that all participants, irrespective of employment type, meet the expected standard. We must also ensure that a team’s competitiveness and ability to provide a fair challenge to the opposition is not degraded by the lack of fitness, and a pass on the RFL does this for us. The policing of fitness qualifications prior to competition Policing is mainly left to code and team management. All are aware of the policy and each must take responsibility for ensuring the expected standard is upheld. The initial process is the sports team managers to provide me with a team list, against which I conduct an audit of team fitness levels through KEA and Atlas. If there are anomalies, I then advise the team managers, who manage the opportunity for the individual in question to gain a RFL pass. All participants are given up to the day before competition to qualify, at which time I will conduct a further team fitness assessment. What actions are taken if there are still members of a team that do not qualify on a RFL but are selected to play anyway? This happens occasionally and it does create an issue for both the Army and other team members. We don’t like to be heavy handed in these matters. Better left to code management
NO RFL – NO SERVICES SPORT
but if time prevails, we will advise the team management that the participant in question should be removed from the team list and not join the team in the concentration location; or if the competition is already underway and management has condoned uncleared participation, we will ask for an explanation as to why CA’s fitness policy has been ignored. Can Code management approach units direct to have non RFL qualified players and management staff released for sport? Army Sport cannot prevent code management from doing this and we understand the pressures that some codes are under to rally numbers but we believe that this practice undermines the integrity of our current Sports policy, so we encourage complete adherence to the RFL requirements. What action will the Army Sports Committee take if the codes do not comply? We hope that sports code management pursue the Chief of Army’s desire to promote Army sports and the conditions surrounding but if it is found that there are non RFL qualified personnel participating in Army sanctioned sports activities, those players will be immediately withdrawn from the tournament or activity and returned to their unit. Army Sport will contact the unit and explain why it has withdrawn and returned the player or official. Belligerence may see the management of the respective team dismissed immediately and replaced or in extreme cases the team may be withdrawn from the tournament or activity. We have found that RFL non-compliance has been on the rise in recent times. We are always working with code management to meet and support their needs but our working relationship must be mutually inclusive. Gordon Forrester is RFL qualified.
THE SINGAPORE FUND
The Singapore Fund was established to assist Regular Force and Civilian staff members of the NZ Army in sports and adventure training activities as follows: An overseas tour by a New Zealand Army or New Zealand Defence Force sports team. An international competition as either an individual national representative or as a member of a national representative team in respect to any country that the service member may be lawfully eligible to represent, provided that this does not contradict New Zealand Government public or foreign policy. Adventurous training expeditions authorised in accordance with Army policy. Assistance to Sports Activities: a. Teams. The funding restrictions for teams are: (1) Assistance to teams is restricted to approved New Zealand Army sports teams listed in Chapter 1, Section 3 of the NZP20 for those teams which undertake an overseas tour. The Committee may provide a grant up to 20 per cent of tour expenses. No grant shall exceed $500.00 per person for teams to tour to southern hemisphere locations or $1000.00 per person for teams to tour to northern hemisphere locations. (2) Eligible personnel may be granted a maximum of $500.00 as a member of a New Zealand Defence Force sports team per overseas tour, for the purpose of defraying the personal costs to the individual. b. Individuals. Assistance is restricted to personnel who are eligible for representational leave in accordance with the provisions of DFO 4 – Defence Force Orders for Personnel Administration, Chapter 9, Section 5. The Committee may provide a grant to a maximum of $2000.00 per individual, per tour, for the purpose of defraying the personal costs of the individual. c. Miscellaneous. The Committee may consider requests for grants or loans from the Fund for any other sports related activity or purpose. Assistance to Adventurous Training Expeditions Preference for adventurous training expeditions is given to expeditions in which the: Participants, fundraising, and the Fund each contribute approximately one third of the total cost of the expedition and the types of activities undertaken are approved by the Army Adventurous Training Centre.
In 2007 the Executive Committee of the Singapore Fund approved the following grants: Activity
Amount Granted
Lcpl McRae, Sprs Baker, Chadwick & Boulton, Everest Marathon
8,000.00
Capt Wildy, NZ Team at the South African Combat Rifle Champs
1,850.00
Capt Collins, XPD Adventure Race in Australia
1,580.00
NZ Army Touch Team tour to Singapore & Malaysia
5,290.00
Pte Holman, World Waterski Racing Championships in NZ
2,000.00
NZ Army Basketball team Tour to Australia
6,040.00
NZ Army Cricket team tour to Australia
3,016.00
NZ Army Volleyball team tour to Australia
2,430.00
NZ Army Softball team tour to Australia
6,648.00
Pte Mabin, Australasian Police and Clay Target Champs in Australia
1,200.00
SSgt Walsh, Australasian Police and Clay Target Champs in Australia
1,200.00
NZ Army members of the NZDF Golf team tour to Australia
1,500.00
NZ Army members of the NZDF Netball team tour to Australia
1,500.00
Applications for assistance should be forwarded to: Mr Gordon Forrester Secretary The Singapore Fund HR Executive TRENTHAM CAMP
nted
ARMYRUGBY29 ISSUE 392 | 14 OCTOBER 2008
Youth (well, relative youth) and energy overcame age and cunning for once recently when Trentham Camp Senior Ranks trounced the Trentham Officers’ Mess team in Wellington. It was a well-fought game in its opening stages, but after 30 minutes the commissioned players began to wilt. The final score was 17-5.
30ARMYSPORT ISSUE 392 | 14 OCTOBER 2008
ARMY RUGBY LEAGUE TEAM RETAINS TITLE
FROM TOP: Joe Waiariki takes on the Navy, with Tarns Noble coming into assist; Jaxon Samoa; Rewi McPhee receives the ball from Warren Puha.
By WO1 Louise Waiariki The NZ Army Rugby League Team retained its title as NZDF Rugby League champions at the recent Rugby League Services Tournament held at Ohakea Airbase in September. The team gathered at Ohakea over the weekend 13-14 Sept for a training camp. With eight new caps in the team it was always going to be a hard fought competition, but then there were the experienced old hands who returned for another shot at the title. The first game, Navy Vs Air, is usually the hardest fought competition, but this year with Air missing a few experienced players they couldn’t manage a win and went down 20 – 26. Day two was Army’s first game and always the nerve racking one, but Army held its head and demolished Air 42-20. With some good runs, hard hits and major break- throughs the Army team showed the other two Services who were the ones to beat. On the final day of play Army met Navy. This is always a well contested game with Navy usually making the upset against either Service. The game started off well, but as the weather deteriorated so did the score line. Navy weren’t going to let Army have it easy and Army were hungry for the win. Nerves were high on the side line and with Army just ahead at half time it was still anyone’s game. Navy came out fast after the half to start strong, capitalising on some errors by the Army team. It was neck and neck and at the full time whistle it was 22 all, but with no golden rule played Army retained the trophy for another year. The Army Team took out the Sportsman Trophy, which was selected by the referees and a good indication of the tight knit team of 2008, LBDR Warren Puha proudly accepted the trophy on behalf of the 2008 NZ Army Rugby League Team and NZDF Rugby League Champions for 2008. LBDR Noble was named Forward of the Tournament 2008. LBDR Puha also accepted the Mad Butcher Trophy for another year on behalf of the 2008 NZ Army Rugby League Team. Eleven players from the 2008 NZ Army Rugby League Team were named in the squad for the Defence Forces World Cup to be held in Australia in November this year. All credit to the coaches for 2008 - SSGT Joe Taipari and SSGT Baz Henry - and the strapper, SSGT Nicky Hansen who kept the players mended to get them on the field in one way or another, along with a dedicated team who knew what the goal was and went for it. It was also said that the new coach for 2008 (Joe T) didn’t want to be the first coach to lose the title, since Army have held it for so long. Special thanks go to the Army Rugby League major sponsor “Liquorland Feilding” for their continued support of our great game.
ARMY CYCLING WELL ON TRACK
ARMYSPORT31 ISSUE 392 | 14 OCTOBER 2008
MUD, PAIN AND FUN IN THE WAINUI HILLS The New Zealand Army Inter-Regional Mountain Bike competition was held in Wellington on September 21. It was wet, muddy, difficult and heaps of fun, write WO2 Michael Yorwarth and LCPL Matt Savage. Overall Results from the race: No.
Surname
First Name
Race Time
Place
179 176 201 182 178 148 183 213 177 204 180 184 187 181
Savage Blythen Hirst Barnes Mead Dickie Engleback Yorwarth Gray Pittams Harvey Blythen Skelton Walker
Matthew Mark Tom Kent Paul Paul Nick Michael Chris Keith Stuart Anthony Ron Ashley
1h 10m 41s 1h 11m 42s 1h 12m 37s 1h 24m 29s 1h 25m 56s 1h 28m 30s 1h 30m 52s 1h 31m 39s 1h 35m 06s 1h 35m 42s 1h 37m 38s 1h 39m 49s 1h 48m 00s DNF
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A MUDDY, EXCITING, WHALE OF A TIME
Earlier this year a small group of keen cyclists met in Wellington to discuss whether cycling deserved recognition as an official Army Sport. The outcome of this meeting was a draft initiative to foster cycling at all levels, promote Army’s core values internally and raise the profile of Army externally. The group decided to foster the sport through conducting an unofficial Inter-Regional Competition, organising regional rides and cycling workshops, and providing high profile, branded teams at two major NZ cycling events. So far we have achieved nearly all the original objectives for 2008. Road Cycling The first Army unofficial Road Cycling Inter-Regional race was held in Wellington on Saturday 20 September. A group of 20 cyclists from Auckland, Waiouru, Linton and Wellington travelled to Eastbourne for the event, which was run as part of the Port Nicholson, Poneke Cycling Club winter road race series. The course was a very challenging 51km circuit that included climbing the Wainuiomata Hill, (Mr Tom Hirst (Northern) was King of The Mountain for being the first rider up) followed by a long descent to the southern coast and an uphill grind to the finish line. The Army riders started as a bunch and broke into two main groups after the climb. The stronger riders stayed tighter throughout and WO1 Wayne Casey (Central) was first across the line in 1:37:09 followed by only 0.45 seconds by Sgt Reijo Kokko (Central). The second bunch worked very well to stay together for the race and WO1 Mike Yorwarth (Northern) lead in at 1:41:06. The second bunch contained Capt Nicola Martin (Northern) the first and only female rider who finished in 1:41:32. The unofficial Inter Regional Road Race Trophy was awarded to Northern Region who scored 29 points overall to Central’s 36. The individual placing in the respective grades were: Open Men: 1st Sgt Reijo Kokko (Northern) 1.37.09 2nd LCpl Brenden Dyer (Central) 1.37.10 3rd WO2 Mike Yorwarth (Central) 1.41.06 Veteran Men: 1st WO1 Wayne Mcasey (Central) 1.37.09 2nd Mr Tom Hirst (Northern) 1.37.12 3rd Mr Reiner Hafner (Northern) 1.41.07 Open Female: 1st Capt Nicola Martin (Northern) 1.41.32 King of the Mountain: Mr Tom Hirst (Northern) All the place getters received prizes donated by Pedal Pushers, The Ultimate Bike Shop, Palmerston North. Overall, the race was a huge success. For many riders it was their first actual race; most having previously competed only in non-competitive distance events and bunch rides. Central has offered to host next year’s event in Linton, March 2009, which is shaping up to be very competitive affair. Army is currently working out the details of how we can gain maximum profile in a New Zealand premier cycling event, the Lake Taupo Challenge on 29 November 2008. Details will be promulgated once confirmed.
By WO2 Micheal Yorwarth, 16 Fd Regt What a weekend! Two days of cycle fun. Having competed in the road race from Days Bay over the Wainuomata hill to the coast and back to Wainui on the Saturday it was then on to a different discipline in the Mountain Bike (MTB) race on Sunday. Being a new boy to the competitive MTB ranks it was an eye opener to experience the challenge of attempting (or not!) the various obstacles that awaited competitors over the course set by Port Nicholson-Poneke (PNP) cycle club. The start was fairly nonchalant with a short ride along a quiet Wainuiomata road. This was rather short lived however as we turned left and started to ascend for the first time. I did wonder whether 27 gears was ever going to be enough to get to the top of the initial climb as it seemed to go on and on, and they weren’t! (no wonder they call it the Rollercoaster). At times I questioned why I had brought a bike along for a walk! Nothing is insurmountable though and the top was eventually reached. Not in record time but reached none the less. From there it was into some rather technical (for the novices) down hill portions. Some so technical that an alternate means of negotiating obstacles were utilised; sliding, grappling, crawling and walking etc. The level of skill that the top riders possess is quite astounding. People were getting through portions of track that it was quite difficult to walk down, let alone ride, so it became obvious that a fair amount of momentum was required. To have momentum you needed a) skill, and b) no fear, and I just happened to be in short supply of both on that particular day. There were large portions of track that were quite suitable for yours truly and they were bucket loads of fun. PNP have constructed great MTB tracks through the hills of Wainuiomata and I can’t wait to try more of them out in the near future. Arriving back covered in mud, the stories flowed thick and fast, peppered with tales of near misses and actual falls which heightened the sense of achievement. It was awesome to get out amongst like-minded Army people to experience the fun of MTB riding in a well organised setting. So if you’re into a bit of excitement, having a good workout, a whale of a time and you don’t mind a little mud, then get in contact with your regional MTB rep (which can be found on the Army’s cycling website) and we’ll see you at the next event.
A CHALLENGING COURSE BUT WORTH THE EFFORT By LCpl Matt Savage, 2 HSB On the 21st of September I and around 15 other uniformed and civilian Army personnel converged on Wainuiomata for the inaugural NZ Army Inter-Regional Mountain Bike Race. Competitors came from Trentham, Wellington, Linton and Waiouru, while several other Army personnel kindly volunteered to help as marshals on the course. This race was run as a section of the local Port Nicholson-Poneke (PNP) club Mountain Bike series and the race included 170 riders in other grades, including some of New Zealand’s best professional Mountain Bikers. I found the course quite challenging but it suited my ability well with hardest climbs at the start. I had a few close calls on the harder sections and actually found it faster to run at some points. All the Army riders were able to finish the 20km course with the top riders coming in around 1 hour 10 minutes. The terrain was varied, but included several large hill climbs and technical descents. The tracks were a mixture of 4WD roads, firebreaks, and tight technical single track carved through the bush. The wet weather in the preceding weeks made some of the downhill sections very difficult. Most of the riders had a story to tell about coming off on one or more tricky sections including the current New Zealand champion who described his crash as the biggest he has had in quite a few years. I thoroughly enjoyed this race, which was very well sent up and run by the PNP club. I think all the Army riders had a great time and I look forward to next years Inter-Regionals where we will hopefully see a few more riders and start to really grow cycling as an Army sport. Photos from the weekend have been uploaded into the Army Cycling website : http://communities/Sport/ArmyPages/Cycling/Images.aspx
32ARMYSPORT ISSUE 392 | 14 OCTOBER 2008
OUT OF THEIR LEAGUE: Loma Uhila takes on the Navy with Tarms Noble coming in to assist. The Army rugby league team retained its title as NZDF champions.
