From
Alison Comrie in New Zealand
MORE than 100 GRes soldiers from NSW and a small contingent from
South Australia participated in the annual Territorial Forces
[TF - the Kiwi term for reserve soldiers] Exercise Tasman Reserve.
The
setting was the West Coast of the South Island in the Waikiti
Downs area.
They
joined the 2nd Canterbury Nelson Marlborough West Coast (2 CNMWC)
Battalion Group.
This
battalion group was also supplemented by various TF units across
the country.
The
aim of the exercise was the general exchange of knowledge between
the two countries, to broaden the individual soldier's experience
and learning. Also to trial equipment and work through and overcome
any differences in operations and procedures. All this was to
be done in a company battalion setting.
Some
of the Australian soldiers had been on exercise in New Zealand
before, and really enjoyed the close terrain and were not too
bothered by the wet conditions.
Some
were able to work with the Kiwis in the Combat Support Services
Group (CSSG) which provided the exercise with its food, water,
transport, showers, laundry, mechanical repairs and armoury.
They
were in the field for eight days. Though most have not experienced
consecutive days of straight rain in the field.
Sgt
Gavin McClintock, 10/27 RSAR, said the training area was 100 per
cent different to the conditions he was used to.
"I'm
more familiar with desert training - open and dry," he said.
Coming
from such a dry continent one soldier was heard saying he had
not seen rain in three years.
One
of the major differences in operating procedures was what the
average soldier was carrying in his kit.
For
this NZ exercise the Aussies carried less water and more warm/wet
weather gear. They were also not bothered by the troublesome fly
but by the sandfly instead.
Overall,
the Australians were appreciative of the opportunity to operate
outside their normal environment and sharpen their basic military
skills with the Kiwis in a conventional operational type setting.
This
also included a helicopter insertion as part of the exercise scenario.
They
were well received and well looked after in New Zealand and looking
forward to the next visit.
