Soldiers’ skills put to test in training
TEKAPO
PEALS of thunder from a passing storm front were complemented by gunfire at Tekapo’s army training camp this week.
On the ground, 65 New Zealand Army Regular and Reserve Forces soldiers from Dunedin, Christchurch, Nelson, Timaru and Cromwell coped with high winds, snow falls and torrential rain as they conducted a weeklong live field firing exercise.
The purpose of Exercise Ypres was to train soldiers at a section and platoon level, using individual weapons, support machine guns, grenades and the army’s Carl Gustaf medium range antiarmour weapon.
Cromwell pilot and reserve force soldier Private Liam Anderson had the rare opportunity to fire the 84mm Carl Gustaf.
‘‘I was really looking forward to it, it is one of the few good weapons systems we get to use in the reserves,’’ Pte Anderson said.
The army had recently taken one of the weapons to the Cromwell army centre and he and Pte Mike Field, of Queenstown, trained on it.
‘‘Mike shot the first round and then we swapped roles and I shot the second shell . . . I have to admit it really was pretty exciting.’’
Both men are members of the Cromwell platoon, Bravo Company 2/4 Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment (RNZIR).
Pte Field said it was an awesome experience.
‘‘My round was an impact round and it went low . . . it was good to be able to get the opportunity to use it in the field.’’
Pte Bryn McLeodJones, a Port
Otago cargo handler, manned a 7.62mm light support weapon.
Despite the varied weather in the field phase, he said it was a chance to expand his knowledge.
‘‘It’s a good opportunity . . . and you really appreciate your own bed when you get home.’’
The exercise allowed Reserve Force soldiers to operate infantry weapons and equipment in a live setting, and have their actions assessed, 2/4 RNZIR commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Tim Tuatini said.