www.army.mil.nz
ISSUE 373
armynews
27 March 2007
A WORLD CLASS ARMY THAT HAS MANA
stand tall and proud
for you are a great example
INSIDE
REST IN PEACE
03
DUKE OF YORK
01/04
LEADERSHIP CHALLENGE 07–09
07
THREE SERVICES AS ONE FORCE, BEING THE BEST IN EVERYTHING WE DO
02news
SERVING NEW ZEALAND LOYALLY AND HONOURABLY
OH 07-0173-33
Erebus heroes
Overdue recognition
bodies from Antarctica to Auckland.
Personnel from many different
organisations and nationalities worked
together on the Police-led operation
to collect the bodies, transfer them to
Whenuapai, and return them home to
their loved ones.
“It was only through the work of
Operation Overdue personnel that
individuals, families and the nation were
able to fully come to terms with the tragic
deaths of so many people”, Police Minister
Annette King told those gathered.
She said the medal recognises the
“extreme circumstances” faced by the
personnel who helped successfully
identify 214 of the 257 victims.
“The circumstances were indeed extreme:
a hazardous physical location, extreme
climatic conditions, dangers presented
by the wreckage, the psychological strain
of recovering the victims, and highly
demanding physical work.”
NZDF personnel, including those from
the Army’s Corps of Transport and the Air
Force, were involved in “Phase Two” of
the operation to move the bodies from
Antarctica to Auckland. The personnel
Mentally tough
WO (Rtd) Ray Symons was a 30-year-old Army
sergeant and already stationed at McMurdo Base
when the Erebus disaster happened.
He was part of the Army Corps of Transport’s
18-man team based on the ice to load and unload
aircraft as part of Operation Deep Freeze, the annual
commitment the NZDF makes to the Antarctic
programme.
“We were working on the runway and were
expecting to see the aircraft fly over. Aircraft were
always a welcome sight, especially if they were from
New Zealand. It didn’t appear, and after a while
people started to become concerned. We knew
it was in the area but heard nothing, absolutely
nothing. Eventually we heard it had crashed, and
the emergency services sprung into action.
Established 10 August 1959
The Army News is published fortnightly for the Regular and Territorial
Force and civilian staff of the New Zealand Army.
Editor: Lorraine Brown
phone 04-496-0225 or DTelN 349-7225
fax 04-496- 0290
email [email protected]
Assistant Editor: Anna Norman
phone 04-496-0224 or DTelN 349-7224
email [email protected]
Correspondents:
Linton:
Faye Lougher
Gary Parkes
Waiouru:
Pete Smithies
Hawke's Bay: Caroline Williams
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Website: www.army.mil.nz
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Editorial contributions and letters are welcomed. They may be sent direct to the Army News and do not need
to be forwarded through normal command channels. Submit them to The Editor, Army News, DPRU, HQ NZDF,
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relevant service publication before acting on any information given in this newspaper. ISSN 1170-4411
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joined US Navy personnel to process, pack
and load all 348 body bags at Williams
Field, the ice runway at McMurdo Station.
The work was thoroughly unpleasant;
the clear plastic bags meant that the
contents were in plain view, while the
heat of the sun caused the bodies to
partially thaw.
Under the physically and mentally
challenging circumstances, the Army
personnel worked tirelessly, 12 hours a
“We were hanging around hoping
there’d be survivors and we could
help in the rescue effort, but it was
not to be.”
WO (Rtd) Symons says helicopters
went to the crash site, and brought
the bodies (in body bags) back to the
base in several under-slung loads. “We
loaded the bags into pallets, and then
into the aircraft to be taken back to New
Zealand. It was stressful for the young
guys, but I was incredibly proud of how
hard they worked and how respectful
they were. They all got stuck in and just did what
had to be done.”
A Vietnam veteran, WO (Rtd) Symons says he
thought he had seen a lot during the war, “But this
was different. It was awful and incredibly sad”. He
says no-one talked about the incident much after it
www.army.mil.nz
armynews
WOs (Rtd) Raymond Symons and Dennis Nathan on the steps of Parliament after receiving the SSM (Erebus)
day, seven days a week.
The two RNZAF body flights from
McMurdo to New Zealand took some seven
hours. The police report on Operation
Overdue records that the flights “caused
few problems for the flight crews, but
logistic difficulties were many and varied”.
Police Commissioner Howard Broad
said the inter-agency and international
collaboration in response to the crash, the
world’s fourth largest air disaster, “truly
happened. “The young soldiers do deserve a medal
though for the job they did.”
WO (Rtd) Symons retired from the Army as a
Warrant Officer in 1989, and now drives a concrete
truck in Palmerston North. His son, Lance Corporal
John Symons, is in the NZ Army and is currently
represents how, in times of adversity,
people rally to help each other”.
The NZSSM was last awarded in
2005 to recognise New Zealanders,
including many NZDF personnel,
who were involved in rescue, relief
and rehabilitation efforts in areas
devastated by the Boxing Day 2004
earthquake and tsunami.
Reported by Anna Norman
deployed to Timor Leste.
WO (Rtd) Dennis Nathan was also an
Army sergeant and based at McMurdo
at the same time as WO Symons.
“I remember when they thought there
might be survivors we were all asked
to donate a sheet. But in the end they
weren’t needed. We (the New Zealand
soldiers) arranged a little church service
when we realised what had happened.
“Loading the deceased into the
pallets wasn’t really hard physical work,
but it was hard mentally. There were so
many body bags. We had to take the utmost care,
and we did.”
WO (Rtd) Nathan retired as a warrant officer in 1990,
and is now a Corrections Officer based in Hamilton.
Reported by Judith Martin
Championing
equity
If you have been an anti-harassment
adviser (AHA) in the New Zealand
Defence Force you may have met Shayne
Mathieson, of Top Drawer Consultants.
Shayne has developed and delivered
equity training courses in the NZDF for
more than a decade. These courses
have included AHA Induction, AHA
Mediation, AHA Investigator, EEO
Advisory Officer, Train-the-Trainer and
the 0800 Helpline.
Shayne’s significant contribution
was recently acknowledged by CDF
with a commendation. As part of the
presentation, Chief of Defence Force
Lieutenant General Jerry Mateparae
highlighted the importance in which
the NZDF regards equity, and the
priority it places on championing equity
principles and eliminating harassment
and discrimination.
The quality of training Shayne has
provided since 1996 has contributed
much to the success of the equity
support network, which has led to a
positive change in attitudes towards
WN 07-0040-06
Two former Army Corps of Transport
personnel who went above and beyond
the call of duty to send victims of the 1979
Erebus disaster home to their families,
have finally received official recognition
for their efforts.
Warrant Officers (retired) Ray Symons
and Dennis Nathan were among the
21 recipients gathered at Parliament
recently, to receive the New Zealand
Special Service Medal (Erebus) for their
contribution to “Operation Overdue”, the
inter-agency response to New Zealand’s
biggest single tragedy.
Senior officers from the Police and
Defence Force, including Chief of Defence
Force Lieutenant General Jerry Mateparae,
diplomats and members of Parliament,
were at the ceremony to honour all those
involved in the exceptionally difficult
operation to recover and identify the
257 passengers and crew killed when
Flight TE 901 crashed on Mount Erebus,
Antarctica, on 28 November 1979.
SSM (Erebus) recipients WOs (Rtd)
Symons and Nathan represented 18 Army
personnel involved in the physically and
mentally challenging task of moving the
CDF LT GEN Mateparae presents Shayne Mathieson with the CDF Commendation
discrimination and harassment within
Defence.
Recently Shayne has been working
closely with equity personnel and
service training groups to develop
equity modules for all NZDF promotional
courses. Train-the-Trainer courses,
being held this month, will provide
training personnel with the tools and
confidence to deliver the modules.
news03
issue 373 27 March 2007
BRIG PHIL GIBBONS
LAND COMPONENT COMMANDER
TAKE OUR
OPPORTUNITIES
This edition of the Army News coincides with my posting from the Land
Component Commander (LCC) to Deputy Chief of Army (DCA). Circumstances such
as these cause one to reflect on what has recently been achieved and what new
opportunities are about to present themselves.
Supported by formation commanders and my staff, as the LCC I have been
able to establish command intent based on improving preparedness, controlling
tempo, enhancing synchronisation of activities and striving for excellence. This
intent is now well known within the Land Component and all units and formations
are working to meet this intent.
One area that still needs our attention is the exercise scenarios we are creating
for our training activities. To simply apply the outdated “Musorian” template is
inappropriate. Any scenario must be relevant to the contemporary war-fighting
environment. It is important that we construct training scenarios that are based
on the concept of the three-block war, and are relevant to the objectives of the
training activity.
In my new appointment as DCA I intend to build on the recent successes of
Army General Staff, assist with attempts to reduce the tempo throughout the Army,
manage the development of our war-fighting capability and seek opportunities to
improve the availability of MCE within the NZ Army.
Finally, two weeks ago I participated in the inaugural senior officer and warrant
officer adventure race (see pages 7–9). The activity was designed to stretch us
physically, and develop our leadership competencies. I would like to congratulate
all those who took the opportunity to participate. A commitment to participate
demonstrated to me that each person had the courage to put their reputations
on the line in a very demanding environment, to develop their leadership
competencies. Again, my congratulations to you all.
Rest in Peace
SERGEANT BLACKLER
08/03/1974 – 23/03/2007
The Duke of York, accompanied by LT COL Tarsau, COL
Cunninghame and WO1 Purvis, is welcomed to Trentham Camp
WN 06-0045-04
COL Cunninghame with graduates PTE Ricky Mitchell and PTE
Edwina Taua
Timor gets a boost
The NZDF will increase its deployment to Timor Leste in lateMay when it sends up to three helicopters with 32 crew and
support staff to further assist with stability operations in the
troubled nation.
The RNZAF’s 3 Squadron will deploy two Iroquois helicopters
to Timor Leste for up to 12 months, and a third will be put on
stand-by. A NZ Army officer, Lieutenant Colonel Paul van den
Broek, will be the Deputy Commander of the Combined Joint
Task Force (CJTF) in Timor Leste.
The deployment was prompted by a request from the
Australian Defence Force to augment their helicopter operations
in Timor Leste and provide a more robust capability.
Likely tasks for the crew include insertion and extraction
of patrols, assisting with the provision of aero medical
evacuation and air logistic support.
New Zealand has been part of the CJTF since it deployed
in 2006. There are currently over 150 NZDF and 900 ADF
personnel deployed to Timor Leste with the CJTF.
Two NZDF personnel are also part of the UN mission in Timor
Leste, and a further two are attached to the Timorese Defence
Force as advisors.
Commander Joint Forces New Zealand Rear Admiral Jack Steer
says 3 Squadron are more than ready for the deployment.
“In recent years 3 Squadron have deployed on similar
operations in the Solomon Islands and Bougainville, and
in 2000 worked in partnership with Australian air assets in
Timor Leste.
“We are pleased to be able to provide a further capability to
assist the Government of Timor Leste as they continue to strive
for stability, and this deployment is further proof of the diverse
range of operations the NZDF can effectively contribute to.”
WN 06-0312-67M
WN 07-0003-05
The Duke of York inspects the Guard of Honour, accompanied by Chief of
Army MAJ GEN Gardiner
WN 07-0003-06
His Royal Highness the Duke of York received
a Maori welcome and a 21-gun salute when he
visited members of the Royal New Zealand Army
Logistic Regiment (RNZALR) at Trentham Military
Camp recently.
The Duke is Colonel-in-Chief of the RNZALR
and the regiment is known as “The Duke of
York’s Own”.
The Duke inspected a 100-man Royal Guard
of Honour, stopping to talk to a number of
individuals about their medals and where they
had been deployed overseas. He then attended
a luncheon with RNZALR officers and soldiers
and received a briefing on major activities and
initiatives occurring within the regiment.
After the luncheon the Duke presented awards
at the graduation of students from the 1/2007
RNZALR Logistics Basic Course. Private Edwina
Taua received the award for the most improved
student and Private Ricky Mitchell was awarded
the best overall student.
The Duke congratulated the two award
recipients on their hard work. He noted the
strong contribution of the New Zealand Defence
Force to the international community and said
that New Zealand was highly respected for their
work overseas. “It is always a pleasure to see my
regiment here”, he added.
He then had the opportunity to meet with
RNZALR personnel and their families.
WN 07-0003-38
Duke visits his regiment
Sergeant Nathan Blackler
passed away 3.15am
Friday 23 March, after his
courageous battle with
cancer. A celebration of SGT
Blackler’s life will appear in
a following issue of
Army News.
In lieu of flowers, all
donations to the Child
Cancer Foundation. POC
for all enquiries: WO2 Mac
Aitken.
Military justice reform underway
PTE Rio Faiumu with local children in Timor Leste
The helicopters will be transported to Timor Leste using the
RNZAF C-130 Hercules and will be co-located with the Australian
air assets at the Heliport in central Dili.
“This increase in New Zealand’s commitment to the CJTF
comes ahead of what is expected to be a particularly volatile
period in the lead up to, and following, elections in April”,
Prime Minister Helen Clark said.
“The helicopters will provide additional transport to the CJTF
as it supports UN operations in what is a mountainous country
with a poor road network and where helicopters are essential
for moving personnel.”
Ms Clark said New Zealand first became involved in peace
support operations in Timor Leste in 1999, as part of UN and
regional operations. “The current deployment builds on our
efforts to improve regional security”, she said.
The Armed Forces Law Reform Bill had its first reading on 15 March. The Bill aims
to bring the military justice system in line with the civilian criminal justice system,
and create consistency across the three services.
“Our current system is governed by the Armed Forces Discipline Act 1971,
which came into force on 1 December 1983. Attitudes and the environment have
changed considerably since then. Community expectations and the New Zealand
Bill of Rights Act 1990 have highlighted and expanded rights, which need to be
observed”, Defence Minister Phil Goff said in his speech to Parliament.
“One of the principles which underpins many of the reforms in this Bill is that
the processes of the ordinary criminal law should be the benchmark for military
law, unless there are sound reasons arising from the nature of the Armed Forces
which dictate otherwise.
“One example is the authorisation of an equivalent to the Police Detention Legal
Assistance scheme for the benefit of service members who are being questioned
by the service authorities in connection with a suspected offence.”
Changes are also required to bring to make the military justice system “joint”.
“Some parts of the military justice system are not common to all three services.
This hinders the proper exercise of joint command and is an unnecessary
complication.”
04news
COURAGE, COMMITMENT, COMRADESHIP AND INTEGRITY
AK 07-0141-02
AK 07-0141-10
Royal salute to our great warrior
Front row L-R: CDF LT GEN Jerry Mateparae, MAJ (Rtd) John Marsh, Manahi VC Committee, HRH Duke of York Prince Andrew, Prime
Minister Helen Clark and (extreme right) Defence Minister Phil Goff
stepping up
Congratulations to the following personnel
on their recent promotion:
DATE
SERVICE NO RANK NAME
24-Nov-06
26-Nov-06
11-Dec-06
11-Dec-06
14-Dec-06
22-Jan-07
31-Jan-07
8-Feb-07
16-Feb-07
28-Feb-07
1-Mar-07
9-Mar-07
12-Mar-07
12-Mar-07
12-Mar-07
12-Mar-07
12-Mar-07
12-Mar-07
12-Mar-07
12-Mar-07
12-Mar-07
12-Mar-07
12-Mar-07
12-Mar-07
21-Mar-07
D1008231
Q1010427
L754134
G995147
Y1006594
J1004326
W756675
N1011483
S994099
J1013296
L1011596
L998785
E1006760
E1010325
D1007679
K1012354
T1015881
Q1003987
Q1010565
P1012358
J1004970
K1010307
X1012780
R1013832
D56468
CAPT
CPL
SGT
SGT
CAPT
CPL
SSGT
CAPT
SGT
LCPL
LCPL
CPL
CPL
CPL
CPL
LCPL
LCPL
CPL
CPL
LCPL
LCPL
LCPL
LCPL
LCPL
WO2
AK
QJG
SJS
TB
JM
DK
HR
LT
RS
DJ
CH
DM
MJ
JW
LC
JM
DRJ
AN
NI
JTB
TJ
H
C
AP
LV
Te Arawa then presented the sword and
“Recognising Haani in this way is a tribute
patu to LT GEN Mateparae. The sword will be
to Te Arawa and the men of 28 Battalion.
displayed in the office of CDF, and the patu
The presentation of a sword to Te Arawa, in
will be worn on ceremonial occasions.
particular, signifies the esteem in which he
After the presentations were made, those
was held, and the mana of Haani Manahi,
attending took part in a walk of remembrance
and it is a great honour for the Defence
through St Faith’s Church and the cemetery,
Force to accept the sword from Te Arawa.
where soldiers from 3 Logistics Battalion
“It will remind us often of his gallantry, the
formed a catafalque guard around LSGT
contribution of the 28 Battalion, and [it will]
Manahi’s tomb. Three volleys were fired by
be a tangible link with Maoridom, Te Arawa,
the firing party, a drum rolled, and an Army
and the attributes that were so conspicuously
bugler sounded the Reveille.
demonstrated by Haani Manahi.”
Speaking at the cemetery, LT GEN
Holding the patu, LT GEN Mateparae said
Mateparae said the occasion was a
the taonga would also have a special place in
celebration of Lance Sergeant Manahi’s HRH Prince Andrew meets members of the Te Arawa
the Defence Force and would be worn by him
Maori RSL, Piwiki Heke (R) and Rangi Mika (L)
spirit and his bravery on the battlefield,
and his successors at suitable occasions.
and it was a time to “reflect on the values he
“A very important aspect of the
demonstrated all those years ago”.
recognition of the gallantry of Haani Manahi is that the ethos and values
“The New Zealand Defence Force remembers Haani he demonstrated some 64 years ago remain consistent with those of our
Manahi because his actions personify the ethos and military organisation. Our raise d’etre is to fight our country’s wars, and
the values of our defence force. In reading the details to guard the Pacific.
of the battle and the gallantry of Haani Manahi, one is
“We hold service to the Crown, honour, sacrifice, tradition, discipline,
humbled in acknowledging one of our great warriors. I and the values of integrity, courage, comradeship and commitment as
feel privileged to be part of a ceremony that celebrates dear today as they were in 1943 when Haani Manahi demonstrated
his life and his people.
these attributes.”
WARDEN
CARMONT
CARRUTHERS
TEWAKE
FORTUNE
TE WHATA
BOXER-PAKI
MCLEAN
ADAMSON
HARTLEY
MCHAFFIE
BALL
COLBERT
DUDLEY
HEAL
MATENGA
MCIVER
MCMILLAN
MOYES
PETERO
SHAW
TAHI TAHI
TREDINICK
WHYTE
MOONEY
who is where?
overseas training Programme - nz personnel overseas
NAME
UNIT
COURSE
LOCATION
LT FISHER
3 Log Bn
Ammunition Technical Officers’
course
ALTC, Bandiana,
Australia
SGT LARSEN
2 Sigs Sqn
Subject 4 WO Operational
Movement Manager
Maritime Wing,
Townsville, Australia
AK 07-0141-03
The heroism of Lance Sergeant Haani Manahi was recognised in a
moving ceremony on the shores of Lake Rotorua on 17 March.
His Royal Highness the Duke of York, representing the Queen and
wearing a specially made korowai, presented an award to representatives
of the Manahi family and LSGT Manahi’s Te Arawa tribe at Te Papiouru
Marae, Ohinemutu.
Among those attending the ceremony was the Chief of Defence
Force, Lieutenant General Jerry Mateparae, and a large contingent of
Army personnel.
LT GEN Mateparae, Prime Minister Helen Clark, and Defence
Minister Phil Goff accompanied the Duke of York onto the marae
where he was warmly greeted by Manahi family members, Te Arawa
iwi and local dignitaries.
After prayers, speeches and singing, the Duke presented an altar cloth
to be placed in St Faith’s Church, which adjoins the Muruika cemetery
near the marae where Haani Manahi is buried; a letter from the Queen
acknowledging his bravery; a sword from the Royal collection; and a
patu in memory of LSGT Manahi.
CDF LT GEN Mateparae hongi with Geoffrey Manahi after being presented with the “Te
Arawa Sword of Gallantry for Haane Manahi”
THE BACKGROUND
In April 1943, the platoon of LSGT Haani Manahi, a member of B Company of the 28th (Maori) Battalion, was given the task of
capturing a pinnacle in Takrouna, a village in North Africa’s Tunisia.
Although the 5th Brigade’s night attack on the feature failed to achieve its objectives because of artillery and mortar fire, and
landmines, two sections, one of which was commanded by Manahi, managed to clamber up its western precipice and seize the
pinnacle at first light. Under heavy shellfire they clung to the position. When part of it was lost due to a counter attack, the enemy
was driven out after vicious hand-to-hand fighting.
The next morning the Italians retook the pinnacle, but once again Manahi led a counter attack. He and two men took several
machine gun and mortar posts, after which the encircled defenders surrendered.
Four generals recommended Haani Manahi for a Victoria Cross for his actions, but the recommendation was later altered, for
unknown reasons, to a Distinguished Conduct Medal, the next award down.
The Manahi VC Committee, Te Arawa and members of the 28th (Maori) Battalion have campaigned since 2000 for him to get the
recognition he deserved. The request for a VC was turned down by the Queen, who followed her father King George’s 1949 decision
to make no further awards from World War II. However, the palace agreed to compensate LSGT Manahi, and after consulting with
the Manahi VC Committee and Te Arawa, decided on the award.
THE AWARD
In her letter to the people of Te Arawa the Queen said she was pleased to renew her personal admiration of the remarkable
bravery shown by LSGT Manahi. “Most notable, Lance Sergeant Manahi distinguished himself by acts of extraordinary courage
at Takrouna Ridge in 1943. Throughout his life he embodied the enduring tradition of dignified and loyal service associated with
the Te Arawa people. To them and to us all, I trust that Lance Sergeant’s Manahi’s gallantry will serve as a powerful inspiration for
many generations to come.”
The Queen’s award was inspired by “For God, For King, and For Country” from the marching song of the Maori Battalion, with
which LSGT Manahi served.
The embroidered alter front represents “for God”, the letter “for King”, and the sword “for Country”. The latter is an 1854
pattern Scots Guards Officer’s sword, with an 1892 pattern blade, bearing Edward VII’s cipher. The scabbard bears the Queen’s
own cipher. The patu is wooden rather than greenstone, in recognition of the possibility of a future Chief of Defence Force being
a woman. Te Arawa tradition is that men have greenstone patus, and women have wooden.
A HUMBLE MAN
Haani Manahi loved to fish, and was a quiet, humble and charming man, says his niece, Kuia, Lady Morrison.
“We were sort of all brought up together. I have wonderful memories of him. But he never spoke much about what happened,
or whether he should have been awarded a VC. He was just happy being with family.”
Sir Howard Morrison, husband of Lady Morrison, said he often fished on Lake Rotorua with Haani. “But he didn’t ever talk about
the war. I found out all about his exploits from another uncle.”
Haani’s younger son Geoffrey said his father would have been very humbled by all the attention. He was delighted with the way
his father’s gallantry was honoured at the ceremony.
news05
issue 373 27 March 2007
Tragic loss of fine
young soldier
TRADING PLACES
CAPT Steve Kearney, Training Development Psychologist ATG
To become an Army psych you need a sense of adventure, a
desire to do new things and a willingness to step outside your
comfort zone, says Captain Steve Kearney.
Fortunately, CAPT Kearney signed up for exactly those reasons
– “something different, unique experiences, variety, adventure”
– and, six years later, the Army hasn’t let him down.
“I get bored easily, so the thing I like about the Army is that I
do such a variety of work; there is always a new challenge and
new stuff to do. I very seldom spend my whole day sitting in
front of the computer – I do lessons, I go out into the field, I do
PT. And I get to do things that no-one else has done.”
CAPT Kearney was so keen to join the Army that he rolled
into camp just two days after finishing his Masters degree (a
requirement for psychologists). But it was a couple of years
later before he realised just how lucky he was.
“I caught up with a friend who’d done the same courses as
me and was doing a civilian equivalent to my job, working for
a bank. But they had spent the last two years selecting middlelevel bank managers – that had been their job all day, every
day. I’d just come back from [a three-month deployment to]
East Timor, and had all kinds of cool stories to tell – that’s
when it began to strike me that it was a pretty cool job.”
Since his first deployment to East Timor in 2002, his job has
taken him as far afield as the Middle East, Kyrgyzstan, the UK,
Canada, the Solomon Islands and back to Timor several times.
Many of these short trips are for mission de-briefs, where he
meets with personnel just before their return to New Zealand.
“We talk about the tour, highlights and lowlights. There can
sometimes be some weirdness that goes on when you come
home to a family or partner, so we like to educate them that it’s
okay for things to be awkward initially, that it takes a while for
things to click again. Being aware of that can make the process
a lot less stressful for everyone.”
Psychologists may also brief personnel before and during
their deployment, and follow up with them after they’ve settled
back into life in New Zealand. Other responsibilities of psychs
include helping personnel in high-risk jobs with “critical
incident stress management”; officer selection; and selecting
personnel for specialist trades such as military police, SAS,
physical training instructors, and IEDD (improvised explosive
device disposal) operators.
“A lot of people are under the misapprehension that we’re
just there to weed out the crazy people, but that’s not the
case. We’re there to look at someone’s aptitudes and abilities,
and disposition, to see if they suit those roles. For example, if
Army nurse becomes author
A book on dealing with medical trauma in mainly military
environments has been co-written by 2 Health Support Battalion’s
Principal Nursing Officer Major Lee Turner (pictured right).
MAJ Turner wrote the book with Colonel Tim Hodgetts, a Professor of
Emergency Medicine and Trauma and renowned emergency medicine
consultant in the United Kingdom.
Trauma Rules 2 is not a typical medical tome. Small enough to slip
into a pocket, it is written in an accessible style, to ensure the “rules”
are remembered and come to mind immediately when they are needed
in an emergency, says MAJ Turner.
“The most common cause of avoidable death in military conflict
is uncontrolled external haemorrhage, particularly from the limbs,
following a blast or penetrating trauma. Following research we have now
updated the old ‘ABC’ rule (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) to include an
extra ‘C’, meaning the control of catastrophic haemorrhage.”
The book offers 70 easy to memorise rules, says MAJ Turner, rather than
WN 07-0003-04
Padre Kirsty McDonald recently presented Private
Khan Hogg (pictured right) with a Ngati Tumatenga
rugby top, T-shirt and cap, on behalf of the Armed Forces
Canteen Council.
PTE Hogg was paralysed in a tragic Unimog accident
last year and is undergoing rehabilitation at the Spinal
Unit, Burwood Hospital.
He was absolutely delighted to receive the clothing,
which will be a memento of his time in the Army.
PTE Hogg has positive goals and aspirations for the
future. He is attending university part-time to provide
him with an educational foundation that he can transfer
into the work force.
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Courage in adversity
It’s not about crazy people
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It was with sadness that the Army lost one of its
soldiers on the evening of 27 February.
Private Nathan Stephen Riki Edmunds (known as
Nate), Royal New Zealand Army Logistics Regiment,
tragically drowned on Sumner beach in Christchurch
whilst surfing with friends. Nate was 23 years old and
serving as an apprentice vehicle mechanic (electrical) at
3rd Workshop Company when his life was cut short by this
tragic accident.
A commemorative service was held in Burnham Camp
on Thursday 1 March to farewell Nate, prior to his journey
back to South Hokianga via Thames.
Chaplain Kirstie McDonald conducted the service in
Burnham, which was attended by a large number of Burnham-based personnel. Nate’s
family joined the Army in mourning, and spoke of his passion for life and outdoor
pursuits. During a heartfelt speech, his sister May said the friends Nate made in the
Army were his second family, and he always pushed himself to achieve excellence.
After the ceremony, Nate was farewell by his mates and fellow 3rd Workshop
Company soldiers with a passionate RNZALR haka. Then Nate was marched out of
the camp, past the workshop, in a procession led by his peers and a M1089 recovery
vehicle, with members of the 3rd Logistic Battalion lining the route.
Nate travelled with his family from Burnham to Thames, Nate’s home town, where
a memorial service was held for other family members and friends. A large number
of people attended this service, and many tributes were given by his family, school,
boxing club, and other friends. The large crowd was a testament to the effect Nate had
on people from within the many facets of his life.
Then Nate travelled to his ancestral home for the tangi on the Te Whakarongotai
Marae in Omapere, South Hokianga Harbour before being laid to rest in the Pakanae
Urupa. Nate was farewelled with full military honours by members of 3rd Workshop
Company and other Logistic Regiment members from Burnham, Linton and Trentham,
who travelled to Hokianga for the occasion.
Also attending were the Commander 3rd Land Force Group, Colonel Gawn; RNZALR
Regimental Colonel, Colonel Cunninghame; Commanding Officer 3rd Logistics
Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Duffy; Sergeant Major of the Army, WO1 Ngata; and the
3rd Land Force Group Force Sergeant Major, WO1 Deans.
Nate was a determined young man who had only recently returned to work after
a serious snowboarding accident last year. During his recovery, his friends from the
workshop visited Nate regularly, and were impressed by his determination, strength
and positive outlook.
The Army sends its deepest sympathy to Nate’s family. The Army built special
bonds with Nate’s family during his recovery from his accident last year, and during
the farewell to Nate after this tragic accident.
As was often mentioned during the many tributes made during the commemorative
services and tangi, Nate would not want sympathy, but would want his friends and
family to celebrate his life with joy and in unity. This was certainly achieved.
Ma Nga Hua Tu Tangata
MAJ Paul Napier
extensive
explanatory
text. The rules cover the
most important aspects
of trauma care, and are
for those dealing with
the immediate and early
management of severely
injured patients.
“It is recognised that
anxiety provokes memory
loss, so it is useful for
people to learn a system and stick to it. In a military situation a medic
or nurse could be the only one who can offer help to a trauma victim.
If their experience is limited they need rules that are easy to remember
and apply, even in the most threatening of circumstances.”
The book is aimed at civilian and military medical personnel;
someone has passed a PTI selection board, that doesn’t mean
they’re going to be suitable as an IEDD operator, different
aptitudes and different personalities are required.”
Ensuring the applicant “fits” into the role is not just a safety
net for the Army. “I say this to all the candidates I assess, ‘If
you’re suited to it, the Army is a really fun place to be – I love
the Army and I’ll be in the Army for a while – but if you’re not
suited to it, the Army is not a fun place to be at all’. So it’s really
important for the individual that we get it right.”
As the Training Development Psychologist Army Training
Group in Waiouru, CAPT Kearney’s role is to improve the way
the Army trains its personnel, using what we know about how
people think.
He finds training intrinsically interesting. “In my six years in
the Army I’ve debriefed over 1,000 people that have deployed,
and time and time again I see how important the training
that we do with soldiers is, in terms of their experience on a
deployment – right down to inculcating the ethos and core
values of the Army: integrity, comradeship, commitment and
courage. I try to train those values into soldiers, as well as
skills, because those values are really important, particularly
on operations.”
Because their breadth of experience and the quality of the
training they receive, former Army psychs are sought after if
they eventually decide it’s time to leave the Army.
“To be a psychologist in New Zealand you need to have a
Masters degree, and then you have to do a year of registration,
which is a supervised process”, he explains. “The Army’s
process is very robust and we invest a lot of time, effort and
resources to produce psychologists we can trust later on in
their careers to do a good job. We set the standard regarding
the development of junior psychologists.”
But CAPT Kearney cannot imagine leaving the Army. “I’m
having too much fun to get out”, he says. “And at this stage,
there are a number of options open to me and a career path
that can stretch out for many years. The ACGS Pers began his
career as a psych, so the sky’s the limit!”
Job:Psychologist
The team of about seven psychologists provide psychologist
services, advice and research to all levels of the Army, from
private soldiers to senior officers. They conduct in-theatre, preand post-deployment debriefs; educate personnel on managing
stress; advise on officer and specialist trade selection; and
conduct training, research and minor counselling.
COULD I BE A PSYCHOLOGIST?
To become a psychologist you need to be registered with the
New Zealand Psychology Board, or be eligible for registration
by having a minimum of a MA or MSc in psychology (including
required papers).
Personal qualities: Army psychologists must be adaptable,
self-motivated and practical, and possess other officer
qualities such as integrity and honesty.
Skills: research, communication and computer skills,
including familiarity with statistical analysis software.
TRAINING
Psychologists attend the five-week Specialist Officers
Course. Later, they attend conferences, training and courses in
areas relevant to Army Psychology Service activities, as well as
further officer training.
however, civilian and military trauma is different so the rules reflect
this. Military trauma generates injuries rarely seen in civilian practice,
with the potential for multiple fragment wounds, blast injury to the lung
and bowel, amputations, and contaminated wounds. The injuries are
often received in a harsh environment, with limited equipment and
drugs available.
And the rules? They are many and varied, but include the likes of “if
the bleeding is dramatic, use a novel haemostatic”, and, “blood on the
floor is lost forever more”, which is a reminder there are four indicators
to look for when someone is haemorrhaging.
MAJ Turner, who served with the British Army for 11 years and
deployed to Northern Ireland, Kosovo and Afghanistan during that time,
joined the New Zealand Army four years ago.
He wrote the book after being involved in a trauma project in Britain.
“It’s a fairly easy read, and hopefully will be of use to medical
personnel in all three of our services.”
Trauma Rules 2 would be invaluable reading material for any military
medic, nurse or doctor, says the NZDF’s Director of Nursing Services,
Lieutenant Colonel Gerard Wood.
Reported by Judith Martin
06Our People
SERVING NEW ZEALAND LOYALLY AND HONOURABLY
Head to head with the dragon
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Team Alpha covered all the possible
team roles: our fearless leader OCDT Short;
our voice of reason and resident pathfinder
OCDT Bloodworth; the King of Motivation,
OCDT Randal; and myself, OCDT Harris,
whose achievements consisted of never
missing an opportunity to crash my bicycle
in new and interesting ways. The other
Army team, Team Bravo, highlighted the
importance of grit, determination and
perseverance, while at the same time
proving you can never look at a map
too much – just remember to trust your
compass!
Cadets at the start line
Every officer cadet who participated in
this exercise learnt more about themselves.
All of us went further than most realised was
even possible. The teams discovered new
truths, strengths and weaknesses about
their team mates, whilst also learning about
any “dark” pasts that revealed themselves
at four in the morning. We learned hard
lessons about endurance, nutrition and
route selection.
As individuals, we learnt more about
ourselves, our limits and abilities – and
OCDTs Robyns, Barter, Lynn, Tuck and Gibbons overlooking the National Park
One foot after the other – at least it’s flat!
about the different spanners that Murphy
can throw into the best-laid plans. We also
The chosen champions of OCS saddled up, set their spurs, and
especially since the entire experience was made much more interesting learnt that the mind is tougher than the body, and what each of us can
rode bravely out to do battle with the dragon that is the Air Force.
by the sometimes “hit and miss” nature of our navigational efforts. The do is far more than we ever imagined. In the immortal words of an AATC
Unfortunately, this time the dragon won.
environment was challenging – scrub and bush-covered hills, barren instructor, “Our bodies are endurance machines” (providing we don’t
The chosen battleground of these two teams was Exercise Lakes mountain tops, rough rivers and urban areas were all built into the listen to the voices in our heads telling us we can’t).
All credit to the AATC staff, who often had to follow us over countless
Odyssey – an adventure race held annually between the Air Force and
exercise to provide interest and entertainment.
Army university scheme officer cadets.
The objective of Ex Lakes Odyssey was not simply to promote the hills, many covered in gorse, no matter how long it took us to get to the
Held in the Nelson Lakes National Park, Ex Lakes Odyssey involves fitness of officer cadets or find a winner between the services – its key next checkpoint. They were awesome. Thanks for not giving up on us.
Also, to our opposition the Air Force, congratulations on the win,
a series of pack marches, puzzle challenges, rafting, kayaking and
teaching objective was to highlight the stages of group development and
endless, endless cycling (the senior leaders also completed the same
teamwork, based on a model embraced by the AATC (Army Adventurous you were worthy opponents. To everybody who gets the opportunity
race, see pages 08/09). Unless it was on water, you could guarantee
Training Centre) using “experiential learning”. All teams go through to do an adventure training centre exercise; we on the OCS (NZ)
there were hills – and lots of them. Sleep was an optional extra.
four stages – “Forming, Storming, Norming and Performing”; a theory Kippenberger Scheme highly recommend doing so. It is fantastic
Needless to say, this exercise and its sleeplessness physically which we had ample opportunity to prove after a couple of sleepless learning opportunity.
Contributed by OCDTs Margaret Harris and Lisa Gibbons
and mentally challenged even the fittest and brightest of the teams, long “days”.
issue 373 27 March 2007
our people07
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Embracing the challenge
In 2006, the Deputy Chief of Army, Brigadier
Vryenhoek, tasked the AATC with conducting a
leadership development activity for the NZ Army’s
senior leaders. This task was examined in detail
during the AATC’s annual Strategic Planning week
in April 2006, when the AATC began designing a
framework of leadership development exercises
to support the current leadership review being
undertaken by Army General Staff.
The senior leadership group comprises officers
of colonel and above, and warrant officers who
hold appointments of FSM or higher. This group
are the strategic decision makers in the NZ Army
and form command teams so, where possible, it is
desirable that they learn and train together. It was
recognised that whilst the Army would continue
to send its senior leaders on both overseas and
internal seminars and courses, such training would
seldom focus on many of the simple aspects of
leadership which remain relevant at all levels of
command.
Accordingly, the AATC established five
development factors that they would target for this
group, recognising that whilst senior leaders may
already demonstrate strength in these areas, a
world-class army does not, and cannot, rest on its
laurels:
• Core values: The NZ Army core values of courage,
commitment, comradeship and integrity are central
to our success as an army, and it is important that
our senior leaders live and uphold these values.
• Challenge: Challenge is a strong recruiting
draw card for those joining the NZ Army, and is
normally well catered for through training, exercises
and deployments. However, as one moves up the
promotion ladder, physical challenges become less
frequent, and there is a risk that our senior leaders
could lose their willingness to embrace physical
hardship and adventure.
• Networking: Teams that share challenging
experiences develop strong bonds of commitment
and comradeship. Reinforcement of these values in
our senior leaders enables a strong network at this
level, and is crucial to the effective leadership of the
NZ Army.
• Risk aversion: Senior leaders must be comfortable
balancing opportunity against consequence. Deliberate
exposure to situations that require risk-taking can be
used to encourage and reward this behaviour.
• Role modelling: Credible and effective leadership
relies, to a large degree, on leaders being seen to
practice what they preach. We want our senior leaders
to live our core values, embrace challenge and have
an adventurous mind-set, work together in teams,
and embrace risk when opportunity is presented.
Exercise Hei Tu Rangitira, Hei Tauira Rangitira was
designed with the above factors in mind. Individual
development was then further targeted with each
participant completing 360-degree reporting and a
series of personality profiles prior to the exercise.
This enabled each participant to be more aware of
their individual and unique leadership behaviour,
and to identify two or three key leadership strengths
to further refine and strengthen over the course of
the activity. This process, known as “good to great”,
seeks to maximise a leader’s existing strengths to
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Pushed to the limit: COL Hugh Trengrove and COL Tim Keating embrace the challenge, while lightening the load of their ill comrade by also pushing his bike
Looking north down Speargrass Creek, approx 1600m high, just below the Lake Angelus Mountain tops, half way
round the 13hr tramp on leg 7. L-R: COL Tim Keating, COL Al McCone, COL Peter Cunninghame, COL Hugh Trengrove
even greater advantage.
During the course of the adventure race, participants
were regularly required to review whether they were
achieving their targets.
The comprehensive exercise debrief focused on
leadership behaviour, with teams discussing and
providing feedback to each other on the individual
plans. Participants then completed the final step of
developing longer term plans for continuing to work
on these strengths back in the workplace.
Exercise Hei Tu Rangitira, Hei Tauira Rangitira
was a valuable and highly successful exercise. It
provided the NZ Army’s senior leadership group
with a very challenging leadership development
activity, and enabled the AATC to showcase its
developing expertise as New Zealand’s leading
centre for experiential leadership education.
Continued over...
08our people
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A: COL Al McCone refuelling
B: Team 1 crossing a river
C: Team 2 loading cycles
D: Team 2 rafting
E: MAJ Brendan Wood OC 3 HST (Medic) offering
encouragement to COL Cunninghame
F: At the finish line
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B
Brief description /
Length of journey
Tasks to complete
Time of day
Leg 1: Cycle
Farmland/forestry road 500m
ascent 3–7hrs
Supplementary activity 1:
involves balancing risk ie,
futureproofing bike repairs
for the rest of the race
against extra time taken
Day 1: start 0800 to
mid-afternoon
Leg 2: Walk
Untracked beech forest: 600m
ascent: 7–12 hours
Navigation problems
Day 1: mid-afternoon to
midnight
Leg 3: Cycle
Gravel road and tar seal road
4–8 hrs
Problem-solving activities
to earn rafting equipment
Midnight–early morning
Day 2
Leg 4: Raft
Buller River, Grade 3 section
5 hrs
Leg 5: Cycle
Tar seal road–gravel road –
farm track– bike carry through
untracked beech forest.600m
ascent 6–8 hrs
Leg 6: Sea kayak
14km on lake. 2 hrs
Leg 7: Walk
Track and poled routes on
open tops. 1500m of ascent:
8–15hrs
Leg 8: Sea kayak
14km lake paddle: 2hrs
Day 3: night
Leg 9: Cycle
Four wheel drive track
500m ascent : 3–5 hrs
Day 3/4: all night
Leg 10: Orienteer/
walk
Rogaine activity for 3hrs
Leg 11: Cycle
Gravel road 250m ascent: 1hr
Day 4: morning
Leg 12: Walk
Track around open tops. 600m
ascent
Day 4: morning
early afternoon
Leg 13: Kayak
Lake paddle to finish. 30mins
Day 4: mid-dayish
Total exercising time = ?
E
D
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C
A
our people09
issue 373 27 March 2007
COURAGE, COMMITMENT, COMRADESHIP AND INTEGRITY
Penalties incurred
900 press-ups
Day 2: morning
Compulsory overnight at
the end of this leg after
24–40 hrs’ exercise time
Day 2: afternoon/evening
Team 1 arrived 1629
Team 2 arrived 1752
Team 3 arrived 1732
Day 3 0600
Artistic endeavours to earn
time bonus
Strategic choice of
checkpoints to collect in
order to maximise points
collected in time available
F
Day 3: throughout day and
evening
Day 4: early morning
Winner of artistic activity
gains 2 hr, 2nd = 1 hr
Top score gains 1 hr,
2nd =30mins
Team 1= 54hrs; Team 2=
57hrs; Team 3= 65hrs
Exercise Hei Tu Rangatira, Hei Tauira Rangatira
Stand tall and proud, for you are a great example
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belt than the Kippenberger cadets who
recently completed the same course (see
page 06).
LT COL Curry wanted to participate in the
exercise to experience the physical and
mental challenges that the Army throws
at officer cadets. The experience did not
disappoint. “It was the hardest continual
thing I’ve ever done”, he said.
But the experience also taught him that
people are capable of doing more than
they think they can. “You can actually go
past the ‘I’m dying here’, and do more. It’s
amazing how resilient the body is. You can
ask or, if you have to, demand that people
do more than they think they can do, at
Team 3: COL Hugh Trengrove, COL Tim Keating, COL Al McCone, COL Peter
Team 2: COL Dave Gawn, MAJ GEN Lou Gardiner, WO1 Chris Wilson,
Team 1: LT COL Howie Duffy, BRIG Barry Vryenhoek, COL Sean Trengrove,
times.”
Cunninghame. Absent: WO1 Bo Ngata
WO1 Christine Willam, LT COL Paul Curry
BRIG Phil Gibbons, WO1 Danny Broughton
COL Cunninghame admits that it was a
huge challenge for the middle-aged officers.
If the competition was to best represent Army’s core values, that I was going to make it to the end.”
Team 1 member Brigadier Phil Gibbons, “I’m 51, and I haven’t done anything like this for years!” he
“There is an awful lot of
then Team 3, limping in to the finish line in third place, was
It meant the team sacrificing their
the Land Component Commander, said said. He said the fact that they were able to was also due to the
arguably the winner.
goal to win, he says. “The team knew my
their strategy involved ensuring they advice and guidance they received from the AATC team and the
experience and training
Like the other two teams, each comprised of five senior Army goal was to finish, and they were more
were exceptionally well-organised at the Army dietician.
gained over the last 30
leaders, Team 3 began the race determined to be first over the concerned with supporting me in that
“The fact that we all got through what was an extremely
transitions.
finish line. But after losing one team member early in the race, goal than they were in being competitive,
“We had LT COL Howie Duffy running demanding physical activity is a testament to them as much as
years, and thinking about
and another coming down with a severe chest infection, they knowing full well that by supporting me
each transition in order to reduce the it is to us.
revised their strategy.
things and applying that
“I was impressed with [the professionalism of] each and
in my goal, it was costing us time.”
time wasted. We also wanted to make
Their new strategy – “have fun; work hard; all finish” – was
The team that came in second, Team
sure our navigation was accurate. WO1 every one of them [AATC instructors]; they were fantastic; I have
experience – and a wee bit Danny Broughton did a great job of the utmost respect for them”, said COL Cunninghame. “I think
hardly the easy option. Completing, over a four-day period, 27 2, also focused on staying together and
hours’ walking, 29 hours’ cycling, five hours’ sea kayaking, finishing as a team, in the best time
of determination – you can keeping us on track and, as a result, we they are an organisation that is undersold, in terms of their
and five hours’ rafting, with an ill competitor, Colonel Peter they could, said Lieutenant Colonel Paul
quality and what they offer us.”
made very few errors.”
come up with some pretty
Cunninghame, took guts, determination, and a fair helping of Curry, Commandant of OCS.
COL Sean Trengrove says he took such a myriad of learning
COL Sean Trengrove said the success
comradeship, commitment, courage and integrity.
“There were a couple of periods there
of the team also came down to teamwork. from the experience that he was prompted to write a letter to
good solutions.”
COL Cunninghame, the Army’s Chief of Logistics, spent when we were bashing through the bush,
“Everyone worked as hard as they could; the AATC’s Major Rob Hoult. “One of the basic things I learnt
months stamina training for the event, fitting training around pushing our bikes up hill; when it was
everyone was fully motivated and fully was that getting older is no handicap”, he said. “There is an
heavy work and personal commitments. When he became sick just the case of one step in front of the other. You knew you had competitive – there was no need to say, ‘hey, come on, get your awful lot of experience and training gained over the last 30
half way through the race there was “absolutely” no question to finish eventually so you just tried to stay focused, helping A into gear’, or anything like that.”
years, and thinking about things and applying that experience
that he wouldn’t finish – but finishing with his mates by his side each other out as much as you could and encouraging each
BRIG Gibbons said, “I think the biggest lesson for us was – and a wee bit of determination – you can come up with some
made the uphill battle easier, he says.
other along.”
that our military skills, albeit they were a little rusty at the start, pretty good solutions.”
“Simply knowing I had their support was physically as well as
COL Sean Trengrove was at officer training school with fellow
Meanwhile, Team 1 remained determined to be the first team gave us a huge advantage in this type of event”, adding that he
mentally supportive; it helped considerably. It certainly helped home. “We’re all fairly competitive and the idea was that if we commended those officers with the courage to undertake it.
team member BRIG Barry Vryenhoek, and was a young soldier
me put one foot in front of the other! And knowing they were were going to try and do something, we were going to do it to
And courageous they were. With an average age in the with BRIG Gibbons, so exercising together again more than 30
supporting me in my goal made me more determined than ever win”, said Team 1’s Colonel Sean Trengrove.
late-40s, the 15 competitors had a few more years under their years later was a special experience.
“I didn’t realise how much I was going to get out of it by doing
it with my peers”, he says. “Now with a week to reflect over it,
I can state that it was a life-affirming experience for me. There
are a lot of personal reflections about leadership, team building
and cohesion, and physical ability circulating through my mind.
I am undoubtedly stronger in all these aspects as a result.”
Although COL Sean Trengrove said that by his age “you’ve
pretty much got your act together”, he had identified some
ways he could “tweak” his leadership skills. The exercise was
also an opportunity to be fully focussed and committed to one
goal, and practice the core values they preach, he said.
“It was an empowering, affirming kind of activity, the kind that
brings our core values right to the fore. We were pretty tired, and
people got a bit scratchy, but there was no shouting or anything
because we have a set of shared values and an understanding
of who and what we are, and how we fit together.”
Team 3 also shared the same spirit of comradeship, said
COL Cunninghame. “One thing we learned was how well the
senior leadership responded to the stress of that endurance
environment. The whole time I don’t think I ever saw any
negative activity in anyone who was involved. That speaks
volumes for the calibre of leadership and the training that has
got us to where we are.”
AATC director and course instructor Major Rob Hoult said
the instructors were really impressed by the maturity and
determination shown by the competitors.
“I can’t think of any New Zealand organisation that would take
15 of their top managers and put them through this – they wouldn’t
survive the first day”, said Mr Sean Waters, ATTC instructor and
course manager. He said the pre-race leadership development,
which involved a discussion of Army values as well as the leaders
getting feedback from their peers and subordinates (“360 degree
reporting”), was also successful. The Army senior leaders would
do follow-up leadership training in 3–6 months.
Even the drivers, all from 3 Transport Company, Privates Adam
Colligan, Vinnie James, and Brad Lawson, and Lance Corporal
Berchess Read, seemed impressed with their teams. They were
a constant companion for each team at the transition areas,
supporting them with gear changes and loading and unloading
equipment, while PTE James drove the LOV in support of OC 3
HST MAJ Brendan Wood. At one transition, Team 2 driver, LCPL
Read, was overheard saying, “That’s my team; I’ve got to look
after my team – they’re awesome!”
Love these Army rations
The officers also had their diets put through the hoops
in preparation for the Senior Leaders Adventure Race.
Several months before the race, the officers were
An instructor’s view
In the dead of night we set off on a cycle leg. Not
far from the transition area we had to dismount our
bikes and push them up the very steep hill.
given nutritional guidelines prepared by Army Dietician
After 30–40 minutes BRIG Vryenhoek was heard to
Captain Nicola Martin. The guidelines included nutrition
and hydration tips, advice on what should form a meal,
say, “We should get a refund for our bikes because
we aren’t riding them”.
and how to structure a diet for optimal performance.
During the race, the officers ate operational ration
packs, plus nutritional supplements such as sports bars
and drinks.
“The idea was to introduce the senior leaders to
various sports supplements that can be utilised within
Army to support soldiers on exercise, and particularly
operations”, said CAPT Martin.
Quick as a flash, SGT Terry Simpson, an instructor
with AATC and accompanying them on the ride
quipped, “Well, they are push bikes...”.
The Brigadier groaned.
Once at the top, some 30 minutes later, morale
was good and we raced like demons down the hill.
Eventually the road flattened out and we came to a
natural ford, and a quick rest stop was taken.
She said it was important for senior officers to
COL Sean Trengrove did a quick scout of the ford
experience living on ration packs. “We really wanted the
and advised, “The left line is the best option”. He
senior officers to eat ration packs, and simulate, from a
nutritional perspective, the situation for our soldiers on
then mucked with his clip in shoes complaining
about the mud that was in them. Eventually he
operations. A lot of them probably haven’t had a ration
clipped into his pedals and proceeded to negotiate
pack for a while.”
the ford.
Colonel Peter Cunninghame said the nutrition advice
Half way across he veered off to the right, pausing.
received was crucial in getting them through the event.
However, that doesn’t mean there weren’t a few
Not able to unclip his feet, he fell sideways into the
creek. Needless to say, the remainder of his team let
grumbles about the food during the race. Team 2’s WO1
out an almighty roar of laughter and even a snort was
Christine Willan said, “I’m so sick of all these muesli bars!
heard.
All I want is some fish and chips, with tomato sauce.”
COL Sean Trengrove quickly re-gathered his
In Team 1, the Deputy Chief of Army, Brigadier Barry
Vryenhoek commented, “If I never see another muesli
composure, completed the crossing, and waited
bar again…”
“I didn’t think about a beer once on this trip”, Team 1’s
Much to his disgust, the remainder of the team
made it through unscathed.
eagerly on the other side.
Colonel Sean Trengrove was heard saying – yeah right!
SGT Terry Simpson
FRONT COVER: Team 3, late Day 2 Leg 5. L-R: COL Al McCone, COL Hugh Trengrove (obscured), COL Peter Cunninghame, COL Tim Keating
10news
SERVING NEW ZEALAND LOYALLY AND HONOURABLY
Still golfing at 99
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NZLAV brightens up
children’s day
An NZLAV from Queen Alexandra’s
Mounted
Rifles
(QAMR)
visited
Christchurch Hospital recently to give
the patients in the children’s ward – and
their parents – a chance to clamber over
the vehicle and try on equipment.
The OC and SSM of QAMR graciously
donated their time to brighten the day
of a large number of sick children. The
visit was part of Children in Hospital
Awareness Week. During the week,
the children were also visited by the
Crusaders rugby team and other groups
hoping to make the children’s stay in
hospital a little easier.
L-R: COL (Rtd) Ray Seymour, Mr Clarkson and CDF, LT GEN Jerry Mateparae, after Mr
Clarkson completed his round. Photo: Mike Sam
At the ripe old age of 99, World War II veteran George Clarkson played golf in the
South Island Ex-Servicemen’s Army Museum Fundraising Tournament, held recently
in Burnham.
Mr Clarkson has played in every tournament since the event started 27 years ago.
During that time, in excess of $200,000 has been raised for Army Museum exhibits,
improvements and expansion. One hundred and fifty ex-servicemen participate in
March each year, and are rationed and quartered in Burnham Military Camp at their
own expense.
WN 07-0003-28
WN 07-0003-27
RIGHT: Patient and his father in the rear
of an NZLAV. BELOW: Chuffed with his
helmet. BELOW RIGHT: Ben has been
in hospital for over a month. He is mad
keen on the Army and has camouflage
netting above his bed
Get your entries in!
You only have until 30 March to enter the 2 LFG Command Trophy Sports Inter
Sub-Unit Athletic Competition.
The competition will be held on Wednesday, 11 April from 8.00am till 5.00pm at
the Massey University Athletics Track. It will develop unit morale, esprit de corps,
and individual skills.
International Amateur Athletic Federation rules will apply. Copies of these rules
are available from the PT Wing.
Both men and women will take part in the high jump, long jump, javelin, discus,
shot put and track events from 100m to 3,000m. Prize-giving will follow the final
events, at about 4.30pm.
All entries are to be forwarded to the PT Wing, attention LCPL Luke Woodroff, no
later than 1.00pm on 30 March. Information regarding the event will be displayed
inside the gymnasium foyer by 4.00pm, Monday 2 April. Entry forms are available
from the PT Wing, and any queries are to be directed to LCPL Woodroff (ext 7652).
The last time an athletics competition was held at Linton was in 2004, when SME
(School of Military Engineering) took top honours.
The Command Trophy is on the line, so maximum participation will increase the
chance of a sub-unit taking out the overall prize. Get your entries in now!
museum
Medals for dinner Dictator finds home in Waiouru
Grandad’s Medals – part ten
For an ex-World War 1 NZEF veteran, the chance to wear a ribbon bar of their
awarded ribbons on their uniforms was rare. The veteran would have probably been
demobilised in 1919 or 1920, as the campaign medals, in the main, were not issued
until after those dates.
The only medal ribbons or service medals worn were those they received
previously for service during the Boer War or any other pre-WW1 British campaigns,
or the ribbon of the 1914/1914-1915 Star.
Between the 1840s and late 1850s, the actual full-sized medals were commonly
worn. Later, in the 1860s and 1870s, miniature medals were the norm; but from
the 1880s, the ribbon of the medals began to appear on undress uniforms, mainly
because they were less cumbersome and did not restrict normal working activities.
During World War 1, ribbons were usually sown on to the uniform above the lefthand pocket in rows of four or five, depending on the stature of the individual. They
were laid out according to the accepted format of precedence.
Other symbols would have also been worn on certain ribbons within the bars,
such as the Oakleaf for a Mention in Despatches bronze device, Silver Rosettes for
repeat awards on decorations. Also, after 1918, a small replica of the Victoria Cross
on that particular ribbon, and two for a bar to the award.
In the past, junior soldiers quickly became acquainted with the different ribbons
worn by those men with years of service under their belts. Today, apart from formal
occasions, ribbon bars are not a common sight, as today’s soldiers wear disruptive
pattern material (DPM) uniforms, so it would not be very practical (or safe) to wear
bright pretty ribbons over their left pocket.
Contributed by Ian Topham
Infamous Italian dictator Benito
Mussolini has found a new home at the
Army Museum Waiouru.
A bronze bust of the World War
II leader was recently donated to
the museum after originally being
souvenired by New Zealanders fighting
in North Africa.
The bust was generously given to
the Army Museum by Dr Peter Connolly,
whose father, Brigadier Jack Connolly
DSO, acquired the piece while serving
with the 24th Battalion in Tripoli in
1943.
At nearly 60cm tall and weighing
over 7kg, the imposing looking bronze
bust was originally at home in the
Governor’s Palace in Tripoli, where the
24th Battalion made their HQ on arrival.
As the story goes, there were two bronze busts at the
palace, one of which was of Mussolini. Officers asked Brigadier
Connolly (then a lieutenant colonel) which one he liked, and he
told them Mussolini.
When BRIG Connolly went to his room that night he found
Mussolini tucked up in his bed, with his head resting on the
pillow. He packaged the bust and posted it home to his wife in
New Zealand, labelling the package “War Papers, Top Secret”.
Dr Connolly said that for many years the bust sat atop a post
in his family’s back garden in Auckland.
BRIG Jack Connolly was born in Waihi in
1908 and originally worked as a school
teacher before embarking on a successful
military career. He enlisted with the 2nd
New Zealand Expeditionary Force as a
2nd lieutenant in 1940, and rose rapidly
through the ranks, becoming captain
in 1942, and lieutenant colonel by late
1942.
He was Mentioned in Despatches, and
awarded the Distinguished Service Order
(DSO) in 1943 for his actions leading his
battalion in the successful tank and
infantry attack east of the Roman Wall in
March 1943. The citation for the award
describes how he organised and led his
command, “inspiring them with his own
courage and determination”.
After the war, LT COL Connolly was promoted to brigadier,
and served as Officer Commanding for 3rd and later 1st Brigade.
Discharged from the Army in 1956, he became Honorary Colonel
of the Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment in 1967.
Dr Connolly has presented the Mussolini bust to the Army
Museum in memory of his father, BRIG Jack Connolly, and also
in memory of his grandfather, Edwin Tennyson Connolly, who
was killed in action in World War I.
Contributed by Marie Rapley
news11
issue 373 27 March 2007
WN 07-0002-99
WN 07-0002-98
Aiding sustainability
CPL Wilson and the construction crew with Mistletoe Bay Trust members, the Mayor of the District Council, and
some of the project sponsors outside the completed whare
Soldiers from the 2nd Engineer Regiment and the School of Military
Engineering recently finished constructing an environmentally sustainable
visitor facility at Mistletoe Bay, in the Marlborough Sounds.
The Mistletoe Bay Trust, which manages the area, asked the NZ Army to
assist with the construction of a sustainable eco-lodge that will educate
educational, political and corporate groups about the natural wonder of
the area, and learning to live without waste in a coastal eco-system.
Many local businesses have donated money, equipment and
building materials to the project, with the NZ Army providing
construction expertise.
The construction civil aid task involved the construction of four
accommodation huts (whare), a communal kitchen facility and an
ablution block. Designed for energy efficiency, the whare use the latest
in recycling and solar power, and incorporate a plumbing system that
enables waste water to be treated on site.
Fifteen carpenters, plumbers and electricians from 25 Engineer
Support Squadron (25 ESS) and SME deployed to Mistletoe Bay for six
weeks in October and November 2006, followed by a final three-week
push to complete the project in February.
Corporal Mark Paul led the team in 2006, with Corporal Mikey Wilson
taking over to lead the team that completed the task. The sappers had
WN 07-0003-01
A whare under construction
The four accommodation huts under construction
to work long hours to ensure completion of the task, and were fuelled
with some great meals provided by the resident chef (thanks to
2 Logistics Battalion).
The project provided excellent trade training for apprentices
and qualified tradesmen, with the apprentices completing many
competencies required to qualify in their trades. It also provided a good
opportunity to develop junior leadership within 25 ESS.
Mistletoe Bay is located about an hour’s drive northwest from Picton.
The isolated location created many additional challenges for the Task
Barefoot Soldier
Atlas of World War II
By Johnson Beharry VC, with Nick Cook
Published by Sceptre, 2006
Edited by John Keegan
HarperCollins – 2006 RRP $34.99
Reviewed by MAJ Lindsay Amner
Reviewed by MAJ Lindsay Amner
In 2004 Private Johnson
Beharry became the first recipient
of the Victoria Cross in more than
40 years to live to tell the tale.
And what a tale he has to tell. It
is very rare to be able to read an
account by a VC holder of how
exactly he won his medal, what
he felt as he did it and the life he
led before his actions. Stories
of VC winners tend to be written
long after the events by someone
other than the recipient and as
a result are usually less than
satisfying. This cannot be said
for Johnson Beharry’s story.
Beharry, by his own account
is no scholar; yet in conjunction with Nick Cook
he has come up with a compelling story of a
humble upbringing in poverty on the small island
of Grenada, previously only famous for being
invaded by the US in 1983. Immigrating to England
in 2000 and joining the Army led to him driving a
Warrior armoured vehicle in Iraq, saving the lives
of several comrades and becoming perhaps the
most famous Grenadian of all time.
Beharry’s nature comes through well in the
book and subtle attempts to give a written version
of his accent and Grenadian patois are successful
in the main. As the story builds towards the two
significant actions which won him the VC and
put him in hospital for months with a severe
brain injury, the reader is carried along with him,
knowing the ending but really wanting to know the
inside details on what he thought and did.
The actual VC citation is not in the book but
can be found on the internet and combined
with Beharry’s version of events it shows two
fascinating viewpoints on
what was a very spectacular
action.
Beharry’s retelling
of his actions is humble and
downplayed. His frank and
endearing story gives a very
human and fallible face to a
VC winner, a being of supreme
status who, for a century and
a half, we in the military have
put on a high pedestal.
It is interesting to see the
array of awards handed out
by the British Army at the end
of this short campaign and to
compare this with the usual
New Zealand response today
to award as few medals as possible. Brave actions
in New Zealand regularly get commendations
rather than medals and this is pushing top awards
like the VC completely out of reach of New Zealand
soldiers.
The only flaw in the story comes when Private
Beharry joins his new regiment and snaps up
a salute as he greets his CSM, Sergeant Major
Falconer. In fact, the CSM seems to be the only
person saluted by Beharry and he salutes him
a further three times during the story, without
rebuke. This is probably an editorial addition
and unfortunately casts a slight cloud over other
aspects of the story. If the editors added salutes,
what more did they add that didn’t actually
happen, in order to spice it up a bit?
This aside, there is no doubt that Johnson
Beharry did something very special in Iraq and was
fully deserving of his award. His story is a unique
opportunity to understand his actions and see
what it takes to be a hero today.
IC, CPL Wilson, including the deployment of personnel to the site, the
delivery of construction materials and delays caused by bad weather.
“Because we’re so close to the sea, we have to make sure all the
metal is stainless steel so it won’t corrode, and that has proven a little
difficult to get”, said OIC Sergeant Kelly Allan. “I think the suppliers
were caught out a bit by how big the project was, but it’s all working
out all right now.”
Needless to say, the sappers enjoyed the recreational opportunities
offered in the Sounds – boat tours, hunting and fishing ventures, and
plenty of swimming – to relax during their well-deserved downtime.
NZ Army Engineers’ involvement on the Mistletoe Bay project has
put it nearly two years ahead of the original timeline, which will enable
school groups to start using the facilities much sooner than expected.
Site manager Chris Knowles says the Army’s assistance had been
extremely valuable. “The soldiers have come into their own with their
own technical expertise, and brought everything they need with them.
Even before [they returned for the second time], we estimated the value
of the labour they have put into the project at around half a million
dollars. For a community-based project, that’s just wonderful.”
Sir John Keegan is one of the
pre-eminent military historians
in the world today and this
book, his latest publication, is a
valuable addition to the library
of anyone with an interest in
military history.
The book contains over 125
maps and brief summaries of
the battles and campaigns of
World War II. These summaries
themselves are excellent as a
first start for any reading on a
particular battle or for gaining
a brief understanding of what
actually happened throughout
the war. In this respect it is
possible to start at the beginning and work your
way through the book to get a brief overview of the
war while being able to see the battles depicted on
the accompanying maps.
But it is the maps that are the prime reason for
having such a book. The book begins with regional
maps of the world showing things like Europe after
World War I, the spread of fascism and Europe
as war began. These maps are excellent as it is
often difficult to find maps showing such political
boundaries so clearly. Unfortunately the maps are
small and set in the middle of text so are difficult
to reproduce for teaching purposes.
The book then continues chronologically with
maps of virtually every major battle and campaign,
including the various air and naval campaigns.
This means that you need to know approximately
when a battle occurred in the war if you are to find
it easily while searching, but it does give a good
flow to the book if you’re reading from start to
finish. I tend to pop in and out of a book like this,
Contributed by 2LT Geoff Peters
looking up particular
episodes, so I was
regularly flicking back
and forth trying to
find the second part
of a battle in another
chapter of the book.
For example, the
battles for Burma
from 1941 to 1942 are
in an early chapter
but
the
Burma
campaign from 1942
to 1945 comes about
100 pages later.
The
chronology
isn’t really a problem
as Sir John had to pick some convenient way to
tell the story, but a bigger problem is that it is
very difficult to show complex battles sometimes
lasting days, weeks and even months, on one
or two maps. Some of the bigger battle maps
are so covered with symbols, arrows, dotted
lines of various colours, numbers, dates and all
sorts of other information, that it is very difficult
sometimes to decipher exactly what happened.
This in turn leads to a lack of detail in the actual
map markings of place names. For example in the
Japanese invasion of the Philippines, some of the
major battles took place in the Bataan peninsula
and the island of Corregidor but these places
aren’t marked on the main map.
However, overall these are minor problems
in what is generally an excellent resource book.
The vast array of maps are a brilliant resource for
anyone interested in World War II and the book
would be a valuable addition to the library of every
keen student of military history.
12news
COURAGE, COMMITMENT, COMRADESHIP AND INTEGRITY
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news13
issue 373 27 March 2007
WN 07-0002-92
WN 07-0002-89
WN 07-0002-91
The power of three
WN 07-0002-90
ABOVE: Infantry, supported by NZLAV, assault the enemy to secure the runway
RIGHT: A visitor to the 2/1 RNZIR display makes an adjustment
WN 07-0002-93
WN 07-0002-88
A Navy Seasprite winches a crewmember aboard
ABOVE: 3 Workshops Coy personnel re-assemble a Landrover after stripping it down
RIGHT: NZLAV from QAMR turns abruptly in support of ground troops’ assault
The NZDF three services combined in early February to present
“Warriors at Wigram” at Wigram Airfield, Christchurch. The event
was a huge success and with nearly the 10,000 people through the
gates, proved the impact of “joint operations”.
About 200 personnel from 3rd Land Force Group participated
in the event, with static and interactive displays as well as
presentations. The highlights of the day were displays from Air
Force aircraft, inter-service obstacle course races, rover strip and
assemble competitions, and a mock battle.
The event was coordinated though the Air Force Museum Trust
and a portion of the gate takings was given to local charities to
maintain Defence support to the community. The event is likely to
become an annual event and hopefully Army will perform better in
the inter-service competitions next year!
Dunedin TF support
Red Checkers’ performance
WN 07-0003-03
WN 07-0002-83
Band raises “Viking” spirits
L-R: COL (Hon) Julian Smith (4 O South), CDR Tony Grubb (RNZN), MAJ Lance Nicholas
(4 O South)
Dunedin businesspeople were recently briefed on the need for a partnership
between the Government, employers and the New Zealand Defence Force.
The breakfast meeting aimed to promote the newly established Regional
Employer Support Council. It was organised by 4th Otago Southland Battalion
Group and the Naval Reserve.
Major Lance Nicholas, of 4 O South Bn Gp, told the audience of about 40
people that because the Army is increasingly involved in overseas deployments
and the Navy is about to increase their fleet, there’s a growing reliance on reserve
personnel.
The breakfast briefing at the Dunedin Club outlined the work of the new regional
Employer Support Council, lead by Dunedin business identity Julian Smith, who is
also the honorary colonel of the 4 O South Bn Gp.
The support council aims to gain the support of employers and address concerns
about releasing staff for training and deployments. It also promotes the fact the
Army offers employees valuable training in leadership and time management, and
the development of a strong work ethic.
MAJ Lance Nicholas hoped recruiters would be able to visit regional workplaces
to promote the benefit of being a part-time soldier or sailor.
Otago and Southland Employers chief executive Duncan Simpson says that
although he has no record of any employers with concerns about staff taking
military leave, the new-look regional council is definitely an encouraging step.
L-R: Mrs Collen Telning-Barrett, SSGT Sonja Rolton, WO2 Graham Hickman, Mrs Sue Duncan, CAPT Josefina Telning-Barrett
The Cant NMWC (Canterbury Nelson Marlborough and West
Coast) Regiment Band assisted the Christchurch Scandinavian
Club with the 13th biennial gathering of Scandinavian New
Zealanders and Australians in early March.
The gathering promotes the trade, tourism, and culture of
people from the five Scandinavian countries. Two hundred
and 10 people of Scandinavian descent from New Zealand
and Australia attended the event at the Christchurch Town
Hall. This was the first time this event had been held in the
South Island.
The VIP guest, the Swedish Ambassador to New Zealand,
who is based in Canberra, opened and closed the celebrations.
In her closing speech, she paid a special tribute to the band,
commenting on their octet, the wonderful procession they led,
and their performance in Victoria Square.
Participants from the gathering are still talking about how
great the band was, and much of the success of the gathering
was due to the support and professionalism of WO2 Hickman
and the other band members.
The band’s procession raised morale very high and led the
“Vikings” well into the weekend festivities – rather than into a
rampage of the garden city!
Tack så mycket på banden!
Skål
Josefina
Contributed by CAPT Josefina Barrett
14Sport
SERVING NEW ZEALAND LOYALLY AND HONOURABLY
Top-placed touch team
WN 07-0002-94
AK 07-0118-04
Shooting teams from Christchurch Officers Clubs and Messes
met recently to compete for the Leslie Hill Challenge Shield at
Aylesbury Range, Burnham.
This year the competition used .38 calibre revolvers and
their “Officer Academy” shooting rules. Thirty rounds were
fired for a possible total of 150 points.
Scores ranged from 22 to 147, but most competitors achieved
results in the hundreds.
seeing
GEMINI
It’s a great time for a makeover
or image upgrade. Maybe you
should rethink your profile
or adjust your packaging. Or
upgrade your package and
makeover your profile. Or just
adjust your package slightly.
Rarely has personal reinvention
been so easily accomplished.
Family members will look upon
you with a mixture of pity and
scorn. Give them some reasons.
Especially at bir thdays and
Christmas.
PISCES
Feb 20 to Mar 20
Boundaries need to be
understood, respected and
understood. Your boundaries.
Everybody else’s are just artificial
constructs that need to be
trampled over for their own good.
Make up small, nicely printed
“Harden up” cards to be handed
out to people whose imaginary
boundaries are trampled
underfoot by the hard jackboot
of reality.
ARIES
Mar 21 to April 20
Your career situation could
become messy if you ignore what
is sensible. Still, you didn’t get
where you are today by sensible
thinking. Blind confidence in all
situations, that’s what people
want. And a bolt hole. That’s
always a good thing.
TAURUS
April 21 to May 21
Of course being in a strange land
is tough. There is always the
possibility of misunderstandings
with the locals, the food is weird,
the climate is tough, and they just
don’t have a sense of humour.
But that’s just Timaru. Get over
it.
May 22 to June 21
CANCER
June 22 to July 23
The stars know you cannot fool
yourself. But as it isn’t yourself
you are trying to fool, you should
be ok.
LEO
July 24 to Aug 23
You have a soft spot for people in
a bit of trouble and a weird sexual
thing for people with a gammy
leg. Your ideal situation would
be finding a one-legged person
in some quicksand. Good luck
with that.
VIRGO
Aug 24 to Sept 23
You are in a situation that no
matter what you do, someone is
going to end up angry with you.
Just work out who can make life
harder for longer and then offend
them the least. It’s easy when
you see it written out as simply
as that.
1
★
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5
4
3
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#065
BY
MIKE DUNCAN
BY MIKE DUNCAN
SCORPIO
Oct 24 to Nov 22
Good fortune will come to you
in subtle ways. So subtle that
you will hardly know how good
your fortune is. Needless to say,
it is there. It’s just not there in
Powerball jackpot, super-sized
dollops of fortune. More’s the
pity.
8
7
9
12
11
10
15
14
13
SAGITTARIUS
Nov 23 to Dec 20
You are a magnet for people
with problems and personality
disorders. See if you can stick
them to the fridge. That way you
will only have to deal with them
when you are getting some milk.
CAPRICORN
16
The person who has been the
object of your affections could offer
you a 21st century relationship. If
it is the kind from the latter part of
the 21st century it could involve
a lot more silicon, stainless steel
and artificial protein injections
than you ever thought likely in
one person. If it is an early 20th
century one, it’s probably a lot like
that one last year. Which had its
moments, let it be said.
★
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18
17
22
21
20
22
Dec 21 to Jan 20
Sept 24 to Oct 23
Some Virgo will think they can go
around causing you strife. Come
down on them like a tonne of
bricks. They shall rue the day they
didn’t put you in the “makes life
much, much harder” category.
The Christchurch Police team won the competition, narrowly
beating the Canterbury Officers Club.
The winning team has the honour of organising the next
shoot so, based on this year’s results, the Burnham Officer’s
Mess won’t be burdened by this for a wee while!
Shooting aside, the event was a great opportunity for
officers from the Christchurch area to gather for an enjoyable
catch up.
stars CROSSWORD
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LIBRA
★
CAPT (Rtd) Andy Blakie, of the Canterbury Officers Club, presents the winner’s
trophy to Inspector Neil Banks of the Christchurch Police
CAPT Dave Hallsall inspects his target
AQUARIUS
Jan 21 to Feb 19
WN 07-0002-95
Officers’ shoot-out
The New Zealand
Defence Force over30s
touch
team
showed their strength
at the New Zealand
Nationals
Masters,
coming third. The
event was held at
Auckland’s
North
Harbour
Stadium
early this month.
The NZDF team got
SSGT Jason Keno gets ready to take the ball from SSGT Paul
off to a slow start on
Hawkins
day one, losing 5–3
to Counties Manukau and 5–3 to Bay of Plenty, but went on to win 6–3 against
Waikato. By Friday the team had found their stride and won both their games: 5–3
against North Harbour and 9–4 against Southland.
Team Coach Staff Sergeant Greg Mildon said, “The team was quietly confident
going into the semi-finals on Saturday against North Harbour. It was a tough game
which we won 6–4. We then had to face Counties Manukau in the major semi-final.
“Our team played its second match against Counties in front of a crowd of about
500. By half-time the score was drawn at 3–3. Counties Manukau eventually won the
game 5–4 to take their place in the final against Bay of Plenty. As a result of a tough
encounter with NZDF, Counties struggled to match Bay of Plenty’s performance in the
final which saw Bay of Plenty convincingly beat Counties Manukau 5–2”, he said.
The NZDF men’s over-30s team finished as the third best team in the country.
“After finishing second place in 2006, this confirms NZDF’s position as one of the
top-placed touch teams in New Zealand”, he said.
The NZ Touch Nationals are organised annually by Touch New Zealand. It is the
major representative event for NZ Touch and is open to all provincial teams and
teams from the NZDF and New Zealand Police.
★
#064
23
ACROSS:
1 Slogan promoting reenlisting in the Army (5,4)
5 Animal’s young
7 Prominent, well-known
feature
8 Native timber
9 Curtail, check
11 Part of a gun carriage
13 Intercontinental ballistic
missile (abbr)
14 --- Henare, National MP
15 Want
16 Probe
18 Discharge
20 Pinnacle
21 Load again
22 Major offensive by Viet
Cong during the Vietnam
War
23 Neighbouring country on
brink of civil war (4,5)
DOWN:
1 Noisy riotous fight or brawl
2 Brown
3 Respond
4 Island group in South Pacific
5 Scale
6 Made unclear
10 Trainer
12 Young person
13 Moment
14 Shellfish
17 Warn
18 Side
19 Encourage
22 Smash into
PREVIOUS PUZZLE
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Sport15
issue 373 27 March 2007
WN 07-0003-14
WN 07-0003-12
WN 07-0003-15
Freefalling to gold
Pilgrims 6 display the formation skydiving that won them gold
Papakura Military Camp personnel, including their Freefall Team “Pilgrims 6”,
attended the 2007 New Zealand National Skydiving Championships in early March
at the Matamata Airfield.
Pilgrims 6 competed in senior accuracy, open freefly and intermediate formation
skydiving disciplines, with their main effort being afforded to the latter.
Unfortunately, due to bad weather, only five of the eight rounds in the formation
category could be completed. That said, Pilgrims 6 turned 54 points in five rounds
(2 mins, 5 secs in judgeable freefall time), securing them the gold in the formation
skydiving. Whilst the accuracy didn’t go quite as well, one of the team came fifth in
the freefly, ensuring Pilgrims 6 left the competition with the all-important medallic
recognition!
Pilgrims 6 are now focussing their efforts on having skydiving officially recognised
as an Army sport. Unfortunately, because there are insufficient Army skydivers across
the country that can compete at regional and national level, there is not the critical
mass to have the sport accredited.
Skydiving is an excellent public relations tool for putting Army in the public eye.
If you are a skydiver who would like to join us, or are just keen to get involved, then
please contact Captain Rob Hamilton at Papakura.
WN 07-0002-97
Preparing for Trailwalker
Pilgrims 6 exiting the plane
Jump-starting teenagers
Before the competition began in earnest, Pilgrims 6 were invited by the New Zealand
Parachute Federation (NZPF) to participate in the “Jump Start” programme, an NZPF/
RNZAF initiative to give Project K and CanTeen teenagers a tandem skydive experience.
Jump Start allows less fortunate children to face fear, place trust in others, develop
self-confidence, and enjoy the experience of accomplishment and elation. Through
the determined efforts of both parties, the RNZAF provided a C-130 for one day, which
completed five sorties and disgorged 75 tandems and cameramen, along with a large
number of skydivers.
Those children too ill to skydive (particularly from CanTeen) were given the opportunity
to be harnessed short of the ramp and watch the skydiving exits. Pilgrims 6 provided both
tandem masters and cameramen for this activity. They also ensured that all those children
that visited the NZ Army marquee (kindly loaned by Northern Region Recruiting) and went
away plastered in Army stickers, having had an experience they will never forget!
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Pilgrims 6 chilling out on a cloud
Teenager on a tandem
First service to Sumner
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The 2007 Coast to Coast
These feet are doing some serious walking! Back: Mr Fraser Boyd. Front: Miss Irina
Ermeneanu, MAJ Wayne Andrews-Paul and SSGT John Irving
Each year Oxfam New Zealand stages a “Trailwalker” event, described as the
world’s greatest team challenge to overcome poverty and injustice. It involves a
team of four doing a non-stop 100km sponsored walk around the Taupo region
within 36 hours. It is not a relay, it is a team event, and walkers are expected to
keep together and finish as a team. Last year, a team from the Army Adventurous
Training Centre entered, and came in first for New Zealand and third overall, ahead
of around 720 competitors and 185 teams.
This year a team from Headquarters NZDF has entered. The team consists of
Major Wayne Andrews-Paul, manager Hazardous Substances and New Organisms,
and his wife Sam, Miss Irina Ermeneanu, a business project leader from HQ Finance
Branch, and Staff Sergeant John Irving, HQ physical training instructor.
The team has recently been spending its weekends walking for over six hours in
preparation for the event, to be held 14 and 15 April in Taupo.
They have received good sponsorship from several companies, such as NZ
Vanlines, Avis Rental Cars, Blackwoods Paykels and Extreme Gear Ltd, who have
offered CamelBaks to ensure they receive adequate fluid intake.
Mr Fraser Boyd, of Directorate of Logistic Development, and his wife Margaret are
busy planning how to best provide food and drink, sticking plasters and dry socks
– and even evacuation if necessary – at the various checkpoints on the route.
The team has committed itself not only to the walk but also to raise money to
assist with Oxfam projects, and would welcome contributions from anyone who
would like to help them reach their target of $2,500. Last year the event raised
$900,000 for the work of Oxfam.
check it out at:
www.oxfamtrailwalker.org.nz
CAPT Brookes negotiates the Waimak river on 67km kayak leg
With five Royal Marines and one Royal New Zealand Navy
competitor entering this year’s Coast to Coast, Major Matt Crow
and I set our goal to be the “first service to Sumner” – a goal we
were able to realise after a long day in tough conditions.
These challenging conditions saw a head wind right from the
start on Kumara Beach through to the finish on Sumner. The
pace was faster than expected from the start, seeing the field
split on the first bike leg.
MAJ Crow’s legs kicked in on the challenging 33km
mountain run where he overtook the Navy competitor, CPOCH
Darryn Anderson, putting us at the front for the non-official,
unspoken inter-service competition.
Royal Marines Coast to Coast squad member Major Simon
Ablett said after the race that, “The run in itself would have
been one of the hardest things I’ve ever done”.
For me, the end of the run was the best part – after four
hours smashing through rivers and bush, seeing my family at
Klondyke corner was a great feeling. I was over the Alps, but I
still had over half the race to go…
Hills, head winds (still) and tired legs verging on cramping,
I found the 15km bike ride to the start of the kayak the hardest
part of the race, both mentally and physically.
Water levels were low on the Waimak, resulting in damaged
boats and slower than expected kayak times – some taking
MAJ Crow on the 33km run stage
MAJ Crow on a bike leg
nearly eight hours to complete the paddle leg! My kayak was
extensively damaged and lucky to escape the skip bin at the
end of my paddle, having had run-ins with large rocks along
the shallow 67km of river.
The relief at Sumner was all consuming, after a lonely
70km bike ride into the legendary Canterbury nor-wester.
Disappointingly, I only managed half the can of Speights
that Rob Judkins thrust into my hand on the finish line. After
months of training and 14 hours’ racing, it was hard to believe
it was over.
I managed 32nd place in the Men’s World Championship
(one-day) event. MAJ Crow came in a very respectable 67th
place, ahead of Major Dave Ethell, who was the first Marine
over the line in 73rd place, with the RNZ Navy rep in 95th.
Four out of the five Marines finished the race and all have a
new respect for the level of competition and difficulty of New
Zealand multi-sport events. Hopefully we will see the Marines
back next year for more inter-service rivalry. Thanks to the
Multi-Sports Club for their continued support of events such
as the Coast to Coast.
Anyone interested in competing in multi-sport or adventure
racing should contact the Linton or Burnham Multi-Sports
Clubs for upcoming events and training activities.
Reported by CAPT Shaun Brookes
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www.army.mil.nz
ISSUE 373
sport
27 MArch 2007
clouds with a
golden lining
A WORLD CLASS ARMY THAT HAS MANA