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| Firmer ties with Kiwis By Capt Adam Thomson Edition 1162, March 22, 2007 |
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The soldiers, drawn from all 9 Bde units, participated in Exercise Tasres in February. They made up a rifle company that was placed within a New Zealand TF battalion for the duration of the exercise. The exchange program provided an opportunity for combined training at a tactical level, and enabled the soldiers to become familiar with different training capabilities. As well, the exchange allowed for soldiers to gain a working knowledge of New Zealand’s operational, logistic and administrative procedures and to broaden their individual military knowledge and experience, according to Maj Richard Bennett, OC of the Australian contingent. “The chance to work with soldiers from another country provided an exceptional opportunity to learn new skills and to understand there are different ways to do things,” Maj Bennett said. “Our Army Reserve soldiers are well trained and well equipped, and the value of working closely with soldiers from another country cannot be overstated. “There is no doubt that the chance to use different equipment, and in a working environment, has assisted the soldiers to become more versatile. “As well, they took advantage of a unique opportunity to get to know their New Zealand counterparts and share their knowledge and skill, and learn from each other.” For 9 Bde, sending reservists overseas to train with other units is not a new practice. They have previously been involved in exchange exercises with the Malaysian Army (Rifle Coy, Butterworth), and the Pacific Reserve exercise, which involved an exchange of reservists between Australia and Hawaii. The soldiers involved in the most recent New Zealand exercise ranged in age from 17 to mid-40s and represented a broad range of professions and skills, including university students, accountants, engineers and teachers. |
