NZLAVS given a feminine touch

LCpl Debbie Clark, 2 Workshop Coy, in the field on Excercise Predators Gallop. Photo By Cpl Damian Shovell, Army newspaper

By Cpl Damian Shovell

KEEPING the wheels rolling on the new NZLAV may be a big task in the Australian outback, but for one of the New Zealand Army’s three female mechanics, it’s hardly a challenge.

The NZ contingent brought 18 brand new NZLAVs for Exercise Predators Gallop with support elements including two NZLAV qualified mechanics.

23 year old LCpl Debbie Clark was in the field and the other was in Darwin conducting repairs.

LCpl Clark, a mechanic of five and a half years at 2 Workshop Coy, said the majority of repairs she’d conducted were steering, with drivers getting used to the rough terrain.

“We did one hub yesterday, otherwise they’re running pretty good,” she said.

“We’ve also had a couple of manufacturer faults on them which have been back-loaded to Darwin where they’ll fix them there.

“This is our first real exercise with the NZLAV, the only other time they’ve been used is for training in New Zealand.”

LCpl Clark also had an opportunity to meet some of the Australian mechanics in the field.

“I did go out on a Forward Repair Team with some Australian mechanics, apparently they talked about me quite a bit, but they welcomed me with open arms, just like everyone else.”

The Kiwi contingent carried all repair parts for their NZLAVs.

Aside from some components in the NZLAV generation three turret, parts are not intercahngeable with the ASLAV as the suspension, larger vehicle hull, engine and communication and navigation components all differ.