 |
|
SCH
Sylvain Reine waiting to jump as part of Ex Croix Du Sud
|
ARMY
reporter Pte Simone Heyer reports from New Caledonia on a major
international military exercise - Ex Croix Du Sud
From
sea to land and air and back
FOR an Army that is constantly on rotation
around its colonies, the French soldiers of the Regiment Infantry
Marines and Parachute – New Caledonia (RIMaP-NC) are experienced
in training in different climates, terrain and with different
forces.
French
folding finesse
PERHAPS one of the most important roles
in a parachute regiment is that of the parachute packers and maintenance
people. Without them, there’d be very little jumping.
It's
a long way from Provence
A LONG way from home, but it is business
as usual for 1 Coy 3 Regt Parachute Infantry and Marines –
hailing from Carcassonne in France, but on rotation to Plume,
New Caledonia.
 |
|
A
soldier from 1 Coy, 3 Regt Parachute Infantry Marines, at
the Remembrance Day parade in Noumea, New Caledonia.
Photo by Pte Simone Heyer, 1JPAU(P)
|
Role-play
essential to test exercise
EXERCISE Croix Du Sud, a joint exercise between
the French, New Zealand, Australian and Tongan Defence Forces gave
each country the chance to train with more than just military tactics.
Entree
to New Caledonia
HAVING
more than 100 soldiers in cams descending from a Qantas 767 could
be a daunting sight – if they weren’t toting duty-free
shopping bags.
Military
education at work
FRENCH overseas territories around the world
have adapted a way of training the indigenous population in useful
trades and teaching them discipline required to hold valuable positions
in their societies.
And
I'll have the pate, merci
NEW Caledonian-based Exercise Croix Du Sud
gave the Australian soldiers the unique opportunity to be immersed
in the French Army culture from the way they dressed, right down
to the food they consumed.
|
