Best of the best
United States: Two dozen of the US Army’s finest soldiers from major commands around the world will compete in the National Capital Region in the Army’s first Soldier of the Year and Non-commissioned Officer (NCO) of the Year Competition, September 23 to 27.
Contenders will take the Army Physical Fitness Test consisting of push ups, sit ups and a two-mile run and attempt to maximize their score in each event; a written examination on general military topics; fire M-16 rifles for record; negotiate day and night land navigation courses; and be evaluated in their ability to camouflage, administer first aid and perform other soldier skills.

Not a game
Zambia: 38 British soldiers and airmen have been working with the Zambian Wildlife Authority and the David Shepherd Wildlife Conservation Trust, refurbishing equipment for use in the fight against poachers.
Poaching is a huge problem for Zambia in its efforts to protect and conserve its wildlife. The last handful of rhinos left alive have to be provided with armed guarding around the clock, and elephants protected from ivory poachers. The game wardens have to be heavily armed, since the poachers regularly use automatic weapons against both animals and the authorities trying to protect them.

On the ball
New Zealand: The Army, Navy and Air Force got in on the action recently when Taranaki and Otago went head to head at an NPC game in New Plymouth. The game marked the official opening of the new Taranaki Rugby Stadium.
New Zealand Defence Force personnel played a large part in helping Taranaki celebrate the team’s new stadium, including delivery of the match ball by an Air Force and Army team.

Weapons discovered
Macedonia: A major weapons cache was discovered and secured on recently in Kosovo by NATO-led peacekeepers working together with Kosovo and United Nations police officers.
The site, located near the border with the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, contained more than 800 grenades, 11 mortar rounds and other munitions.
Lt-Col Vanderlinden, Commander in the NATO-led Kosovo Force said, “Our combined efforts made for a safe and orderly recovery of a large volume of munitions that could have been used to jeopardise our progress toward a safe and secure environment in Kosovo.”

Nato Summit
Czech Republic: Preparations for the November 21 to 22 NATO summit in Prague are going according to plan, confirmed members of the Czech National Security Council.
The Summit will be the first Alliance meeting to take place behind the former Iron Curtain, and the first meeting of NATO heads of state since the terrorist attacks on the US last year. The Alliance expects to welcome new members at the Prague meetings in what is expected to be the most robust expansion in history.

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