New Zealand Army
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weasel1962
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The main part the team are looking at for the M3 Carl Gustav is the sighting system only, a true day night capability & to use the ammo types to there max range with a greater chance of first kill hits, what they are we wont know until they get in country next year for the trials.
weasel1962
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recce.k1
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Talking about NZ's presence in Timor-Leste, you may be interested to read this article that appeared in the Manawatu Standard on 2 Feb 2008.
A Day in Dili (part 1 of 2).
In May 2006, violence tore through the streets of Dili resulting in death, destruction and the return of New Zealand troops. But in a city where paved footpaths take priority over poverty, can we make a difference? Manawatu Standard journalist Christian Bonnevie visited for 24 hours to find out.
Bare-footed locals feign smiles as they stand in the devilish Dili heat holding up cellphone recharge cards to passing traffic. Others sit solemnly behind steel carts stacked with cans of Coke, lollies and bottled water. These supposed signs of progress are merely skin-deep allusions of western commercialisation.
The reality is etched in the faces of the old men who sit hopelessly on the roadside, washing themselves in the liquid dirt spewing forth from busted pipes, and the throngs of parentless children kicking empty plastic about the rubbish strewn streets.
Timor-Leste has been severely beaten since declaring independence from Portugal in 1975, the immediate invasion by Indonesia and the bloody process of reclaiming independence in 1999.
Derelict, bullet-riddled buildings stand condemned -sites of countless massacres that cost more than 200,000 lives during those tumultuous years. Hundreds of thousands more people fled their homes, most of them now in tent cities under the watchful eye of the United Nations.
Those who do work in the world's newest country are likely to earn less than $US1 an hour. For a nation propped up on international aid, it is not obvious where the millions are spent.
The newly elected coalition government is offering $US5000 to families if they return to their homes, but for many this is not an option. Land ownership records were mostly destroyed in 1999. Those whose homes survived would simply be killed if they tried to remove the new "owners".
Clean water is the biggest concern for most people, a problem made clear during a visit to a refugee camp in the grounds of a large nunnery.
The terracotta facade of the Portuguese structure is remarkably intact, but the canvas camp trapped between it and the roadside is a rancid dump. Dogs and pigs trawl happily through the waste as groups of youths sit idly by smoking cheap cigarettes.
The Kiwi soldiers who patrol the neighbourhood are regular visitors, often challenging the locals to a game of basketball on the concrete court - the only vestige of space left in the camp.
It's rice distribution day, courtesy of the World Food Programme, but there is only a small crowd gathered. Mateus, the short, comfortably dressed and seemingly good-natured young indigenous man essentially charged with keeping the residents alive, says food is not currently a problem.
There is enough rice to go around and local crops have fared well, including the coffee plantations which suffered heavily in 2006.
But despite it being the wet season, there is insufficient drinking water
available for the 8000 people who live in or frequent the camp, he says through a translator.
"It is hard. Sometimes we have only one tank of water, about 300 litres, for one day for everyone. Sometimes we have to go out and find water but then it's no good. They can get very sick and it's a big problem. We don't know what to do. It rains, but we can't get enough and then it is much worse when the rain stops," Mateus says grimly. "We are very glad to get help, but some do get angry because it is hard."
For those Timorese savvy enough to question why footpaths paved with coloured bricks take precedence over clean water or a sewerage system, this is a source of constant frustration.
Many are aware their seas are rich with oil and natural gas. The Bayu Udan field alone is worth $3 billion in royalties and its discovery has led to several foreign powers establishing flashy embassies - the United States being the best and biggest - in a bid to claim a portion.
But the lack of basic development has seen criticism levelled directly at the UN, with one newspaper editor running a full front page of aid staff sunbathing on the lush white shores under the headline: "Is this what the UN is doing for us?".
It does not help that the UN compound could be mistaken for a Toyota dealership, such is the number of signature four-wheel-drives parked within the gates. The running joke is that there is 1.3 vehicles for each of the grim faced staff members.
Even the Kiwi soldiers, who steer clear of any idealistic confrontation, readily admit the UN workers struggle to connect with the general population.
Perhaps it is the regularity with which they drive passenger-less in convoy, unflinching in their steely gazes despite the windmill of young arms seeking a friendly gesture.
The Kiwis, in turn, are polar opposites.
A short excursion by van off the sealed roads and into the bush-lined residential zone finds us walking through the open doors of an old brothel. The large staircase and marbled floors hint at its previous grandeur, but the crumbling exterior and tired, leaking roof offers little comfort.
Here live two sections of a New Zealand platoon. They sleep in their
individual tents, inside the building. There is no airconditioning to combat the relentless humidity, a luxury afforded to those who live at the main base, Kiwi lines.
Ten young soldiers have returned only moments earlier from a patrol and are now relaxing in the customary black stubbies and brown T -shirt combo. Out in the dusty backyard, a troop of six youngsters have gathered to throw a rugby ball around. They are yet to master the spiral pass.
"We basically run a kindergarten," Corporal Norm Rutene laughs,' leaning back on a wooden bench. "This is nothing though. On the weekends about 30 of them will turn up and we put up the volleyball net, play some sport and stuff. "It's good, you know. The older ones, the teenagers are real sweet too. They come running over and tell us when something's going down. Nothing gets past them, so we always know what's happening. "
Cpl Rutene, a Timor veteran on his third deployment, says they have not encountered much violence since arriving six weeks earlier. Youth gangs cause the most trouble, the result of half the country's million-strong population being under the age of 25. A whopping 43 percent of urban youth are unemployed, many for lack of effort but most for lack of opportunity.
Their weapons of choice tend to be stones, Cpl Rutene explains. But they do not attack patrols. The hostilities are generally played out between rivals. "There are good people here and they don't want us to go," he says, gesturing at the kids.
"They don't have much but they are happy with what they do have. Some people say they don't try to help themselves, that theyjust do enough to get by. I think in some ways that's true. But then I think they probably don't know anything different."
His observations appear to be on the mark. Driving the streets of Dili it is impossible to count the number of dark-skinned bodies lazing under the trees, some sleeping and others squatting, staring into space.
The heat makes hard labour undesirable, with most in the city choosing to sell anything they can -the large scooter population relying on fuel sold in empty water bottles on the roadside.
But the true signs of hope lie beyond the cellphones, soft drinks and
counterfeit clothing labels, in the large flourishing markets.
Fresh fish, meat and vegetables fill tables and handmade souvenirs have begun appearing, aimed at capturing the eyes of soldiers, aid workers and, potentially, tourists.
And it is here the work of the New Zealand armed forces is most visible.
Only when the security situation in Timor-Leste is stable can the economy strengthen and the people see any change in their living conditions, says Commander Wilson Trumper, the top ranking Kiwi in the Australian-led International Stabilisation Force.
"The first things that disappear when trouble is brewing are the markets. To see them open and growing for lengthy periods is a great tribute to what we're doing.
"It's stable but it's tense right now. It can change very quickly from a relatively small incident. If we were to leave now, I have no doubt it would turn.
"The ISF can't function without the Kiwis on the streets," he states matter of factly during a last minute interview at Dili Airport.
The difficulty, Cdr Trumper asserts, is that the conflict is generational. The gangs of youth remember the machete massacres and fires of 1999 and the animosities that followed between East and West Timorese.
There's also a new government trying to find its feet without the benefit of a democratic history to fall back on, he says.
"Right now the security situation is good. But you can't just rebuild a
country in one, two or three years... there's still a big journey for Timor to go. But so long as there is peace then there is hope."
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recce.k1
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The Same Day in Dili (part 2 of 2).
Source: Manawatu Standard 9 Feb 2008
There's a long road ahead for Timor-Leste and with local crops expected to run short in the coming months, the prospect of violence returning to the streets is very real for Kiwi troops. Good thing they know how to keep fit, as Christian Bonnevie discovers.
"Aqua. Aqua," the soft voice speaks urgently, his finger pointing at the bottle of water tucked in the side of my bag. The boy appears to be about six years old, the smallest of a group of four drawn out of the shade by our arrival at Dili International Airport.
His cohorts soon join in the chorus, one of whom confidently offers his hand and declares, in english, that we are now "friends". He gets some Juicy Fruit for his efforts and, surprisingly, shares it out evenly among his mates. Clearly they have an arrangement.
The airport earns its name courtesy only of the tarmac we landed on moments earlier. There is no customs, security or anyone else official in sight. Nearby, some locals sit on what can be loosely described as scaffolding, but is really only a series of bark-less branches stacked against a brick wall. There is a tidy, church-like building nestled behind some trees, but it stands ignored and we gather instead on the roadside with the youngsters, waiting for the order to clamber on board the Unimogs.
Driving in Dill, like most Asian cities, simply requires road presence. There appears to be some sort of system, but just as you think you've worked it out a rusted Lada overtakes you in oncoming traffic and no one even flips the bird.
There are lights - green and red being sufficient -but then they're not as important as the size of your beast. Big is best in Timor-leste.
It's a 15-minute drive along the sealed streets to the Air Force base. The roads are surprisingly smooth for the most part, though every now and then a scooter-sized pot-hole disrupts what rhythm there could be without any traffic. No problem, we have plenty of time.
Arriving at the security gates, a friendly voice asks our Aussie driver how many of us are stashed in the back. Fourteen comes the confident reply. Thirteen get off the truck.
The base is home to Ohakea's Iroquois helicopter unit, 3 Squadron, and is fairly basic in its entirety. Canvas hangars provide the essential stations, opening up onto the wide gravel plains encased by a line of Palm trees that peer over the barbed-wire fence. The living quarters resemble little more than a stack of fridges, inside and out. Comfortable is not a word you would use to describe the premises, but it has everything you might need, apart from a pub, of course.
But drinking anything other than water, recommended intake being eight litres per day, is not wise in the draining heat. It literally sucks the moisture from every pore, making dehydration the number one enemy. Bottled water, needless to say, is never in short supply.
It's 38 degrees, 96 percent humidity and a group of servicemen are doing laps of the dusty base track. Four of the five would appear to be experienced in years, so why they choose to run under the sweltering sun is baffling at best.
"They don't like to run at night because they're basically blind," explains a chuckling voice from nearby, answering the un-asked question with flawless timing. "But really it's quite smart. During the day there's no mosquitoes and it helps to acclimatise, or so I'm told."
The informant turns and walks away, two cents well spent.
Flight Lieutenant Tim Costley, a humorous fellow who enjoys Humphrey Bear more than any grown man should, thankfully elaborates on his friends' conjecture and explains that exercise is key to survival on base.
For us civilians on a 24-hour fact finding mission, achieving boredom in Timor-Leste is much like attempting every question in an NCEA exam -it's not going to happen.
But for those set to spend three or more months in the tropics, uncovering suitable avenues to maintain sanity during free time is quite crucial.
"It can take a month to acclimatise, but once you're through that barrier then going for a run is not a problem," FIt Lt Costley says, pointing toward the Iroquois we will shortly take flight in.
"I'm not saying I would go for a run now. Why would you want to? It's damn hot. But most of the guys can and do. Keeping fit is a good way to pass the time."
Today's flight is a handover to the new team, who need to see for themselves the geography they are likely to be called to while on deployment. The Air Force's role is crucial in Dili, not only in their primary function as a transport lifeline for the Army but also as a rescue unit for the general population. As Fit Lt Costley puts it: "We do everything."
For all the grime that fills the streets, Timor is spectacular from above. Coral reefs glisten in the pristine waters off the sun-soaked coast, boasting some of the best untouched diving spots anywhere in the world. Inland, shallow streams wind their way through the sweeping green ranges that descend effortlessly to the sea. The plush hillside is home to the nation's most significant commodity - coffee. The 2006 harvest suffered during the unrest but plantations are recovering, the importance of which can't be understated. Coffee is the major contributor to the economy, providing the bulk of the US$9 million in yearly exports.
Most of those who work in or own the plantations live in tiny huts tucked into the bush. Some close enough to the city have corrugated iron roofs, but most are built entirely of natural materials, foraged from the surrounds. The nature of the landscape, and the climate, can be harsh on their existence. Unseasonably heavy rain in 2003 left farmers' crops badly damaged, resulting in severe food shortages that carried over to the following year. While 2008 has brought with it good fortune to date, it is not expected to last beyond April, when the dry season takes effect.
The dry season brings considerable change in Dili. Not only does the city transform colour - everything turns brown -but the tension in the street rises significantly.
"It's fairly clear cut for us," Commander Wilson Trumper says, "in that when the food starts running low, the people get anxious. It's cyclical and we expect that the anxiety will in someway manifest itself in violence.
"The challenge is being able to prevent it. Nothing is going to change if we take the attitude of simply trying to limit the violence. The guys know that and that's why they're here."
If the troops on the frontline are concerned about what's ahead, they don't show it.
Private Matthew Harrison, an Awatapu College old boy, typifies the relaxed approach that has garnered the Kiwis so much support among the Timorese. The 23-year-old lives with the majority of the New Zealand Army at Kiwi Lines, a small, central base fronted by a condemned Catholic administration building. It's two-storey frame once witnessed a gruesome massacre, but has since been ravaged, by flames.
The church land provides for an open air gym, half basketball court and a tight 217m running track that can be "just a bit boring after 10 laps", Pte Harrison laughs.
They're not completely cut-off from the rest of the world either. There is internet available and the odd New Zealand newspaper does reach them.
"It's simple for what we need. It's all here and so long as the aircon keeps ticking I'm fine."
How he views his role in Timor, is not quite as simple as he first thought, however.
"Obviously I'm a driver. I drive where and when I'm required to. But it is more than that, especially when you know things could blow up around you at any time. I'd be lying if I said coming here hadn't changed the way I view things. Just the things you see give you a greater appreciation of home."
Some of those things are genuinely funny, including four people calmly cruising the streets on a scooter (the record apparently is six) and locals lining up to wash their cars with dirty tap water after it has rained.
Other sights, like the refugee camps, caught him relatively off -guard.
"You see things on TV but really it's nothing like that when you get here and learn what's going on. I wasn't expecting the camps," he asserts, looking straight ahead. "The people here, from what I've seen to date, are really friendly. It's hard to imagine that they could just turn violent one day, but then that's their history."
Source: Manawatu Standard 9 Feb 2008
There's a long road ahead for Timor-Leste and with local crops expected to run short in the coming months, the prospect of violence returning to the streets is very real for Kiwi troops. Good thing they know how to keep fit, as Christian Bonnevie discovers.
"Aqua. Aqua," the soft voice speaks urgently, his finger pointing at the bottle of water tucked in the side of my bag. The boy appears to be about six years old, the smallest of a group of four drawn out of the shade by our arrival at Dili International Airport.
His cohorts soon join in the chorus, one of whom confidently offers his hand and declares, in english, that we are now "friends". He gets some Juicy Fruit for his efforts and, surprisingly, shares it out evenly among his mates. Clearly they have an arrangement.
The airport earns its name courtesy only of the tarmac we landed on moments earlier. There is no customs, security or anyone else official in sight. Nearby, some locals sit on what can be loosely described as scaffolding, but is really only a series of bark-less branches stacked against a brick wall. There is a tidy, church-like building nestled behind some trees, but it stands ignored and we gather instead on the roadside with the youngsters, waiting for the order to clamber on board the Unimogs.
Driving in Dill, like most Asian cities, simply requires road presence. There appears to be some sort of system, but just as you think you've worked it out a rusted Lada overtakes you in oncoming traffic and no one even flips the bird.
There are lights - green and red being sufficient -but then they're not as important as the size of your beast. Big is best in Timor-leste.
It's a 15-minute drive along the sealed streets to the Air Force base. The roads are surprisingly smooth for the most part, though every now and then a scooter-sized pot-hole disrupts what rhythm there could be without any traffic. No problem, we have plenty of time.
Arriving at the security gates, a friendly voice asks our Aussie driver how many of us are stashed in the back. Fourteen comes the confident reply. Thirteen get off the truck.
The base is home to Ohakea's Iroquois helicopter unit, 3 Squadron, and is fairly basic in its entirety. Canvas hangars provide the essential stations, opening up onto the wide gravel plains encased by a line of Palm trees that peer over the barbed-wire fence. The living quarters resemble little more than a stack of fridges, inside and out. Comfortable is not a word you would use to describe the premises, but it has everything you might need, apart from a pub, of course.
But drinking anything other than water, recommended intake being eight litres per day, is not wise in the draining heat. It literally sucks the moisture from every pore, making dehydration the number one enemy. Bottled water, needless to say, is never in short supply.
It's 38 degrees, 96 percent humidity and a group of servicemen are doing laps of the dusty base track. Four of the five would appear to be experienced in years, so why they choose to run under the sweltering sun is baffling at best.
"They don't like to run at night because they're basically blind," explains a chuckling voice from nearby, answering the un-asked question with flawless timing. "But really it's quite smart. During the day there's no mosquitoes and it helps to acclimatise, or so I'm told."
The informant turns and walks away, two cents well spent.
Flight Lieutenant Tim Costley, a humorous fellow who enjoys Humphrey Bear more than any grown man should, thankfully elaborates on his friends' conjecture and explains that exercise is key to survival on base.
For us civilians on a 24-hour fact finding mission, achieving boredom in Timor-Leste is much like attempting every question in an NCEA exam -it's not going to happen.
But for those set to spend three or more months in the tropics, uncovering suitable avenues to maintain sanity during free time is quite crucial.
"It can take a month to acclimatise, but once you're through that barrier then going for a run is not a problem," FIt Lt Costley says, pointing toward the Iroquois we will shortly take flight in.
"I'm not saying I would go for a run now. Why would you want to? It's damn hot. But most of the guys can and do. Keeping fit is a good way to pass the time."
Today's flight is a handover to the new team, who need to see for themselves the geography they are likely to be called to while on deployment. The Air Force's role is crucial in Dili, not only in their primary function as a transport lifeline for the Army but also as a rescue unit for the general population. As Fit Lt Costley puts it: "We do everything."
For all the grime that fills the streets, Timor is spectacular from above. Coral reefs glisten in the pristine waters off the sun-soaked coast, boasting some of the best untouched diving spots anywhere in the world. Inland, shallow streams wind their way through the sweeping green ranges that descend effortlessly to the sea. The plush hillside is home to the nation's most significant commodity - coffee. The 2006 harvest suffered during the unrest but plantations are recovering, the importance of which can't be understated. Coffee is the major contributor to the economy, providing the bulk of the US$9 million in yearly exports.
Most of those who work in or own the plantations live in tiny huts tucked into the bush. Some close enough to the city have corrugated iron roofs, but most are built entirely of natural materials, foraged from the surrounds. The nature of the landscape, and the climate, can be harsh on their existence. Unseasonably heavy rain in 2003 left farmers' crops badly damaged, resulting in severe food shortages that carried over to the following year. While 2008 has brought with it good fortune to date, it is not expected to last beyond April, when the dry season takes effect.
The dry season brings considerable change in Dili. Not only does the city transform colour - everything turns brown -but the tension in the street rises significantly.
"It's fairly clear cut for us," Commander Wilson Trumper says, "in that when the food starts running low, the people get anxious. It's cyclical and we expect that the anxiety will in someway manifest itself in violence.
"The challenge is being able to prevent it. Nothing is going to change if we take the attitude of simply trying to limit the violence. The guys know that and that's why they're here."
If the troops on the frontline are concerned about what's ahead, they don't show it.
Private Matthew Harrison, an Awatapu College old boy, typifies the relaxed approach that has garnered the Kiwis so much support among the Timorese. The 23-year-old lives with the majority of the New Zealand Army at Kiwi Lines, a small, central base fronted by a condemned Catholic administration building. It's two-storey frame once witnessed a gruesome massacre, but has since been ravaged, by flames.
The church land provides for an open air gym, half basketball court and a tight 217m running track that can be "just a bit boring after 10 laps", Pte Harrison laughs.
They're not completely cut-off from the rest of the world either. There is internet available and the odd New Zealand newspaper does reach them.
"It's simple for what we need. It's all here and so long as the aircon keeps ticking I'm fine."
How he views his role in Timor, is not quite as simple as he first thought, however.
"Obviously I'm a driver. I drive where and when I'm required to. But it is more than that, especially when you know things could blow up around you at any time. I'd be lying if I said coming here hadn't changed the way I view things. Just the things you see give you a greater appreciation of home."
Some of those things are genuinely funny, including four people calmly cruising the streets on a scooter (the record apparently is six) and locals lining up to wash their cars with dirty tap water after it has rained.
Other sights, like the refugee camps, caught him relatively off -guard.
"You see things on TV but really it's nothing like that when you get here and learn what's going on. I wasn't expecting the camps," he asserts, looking straight ahead. "The people here, from what I've seen to date, are really friendly. It's hard to imagine that they could just turn violent one day, but then that's their history."
Investigator
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the doco of the sas is out on dvd, and should be available at most large dvd outlets, I got my copy from whitcolls. great doco especially considering what we didnt see!!
I agree with *CDF's statement on the begining of series one explaining that we have "an elite, teir 1 special force, 2nd to none"
Cheif Defence force, major gen. Jerry Matapere
I agree with *CDF's statement on the begining of series one explaining that we have "an elite, teir 1 special force, 2nd to none"
Cheif Defence force, major gen. Jerry Matapere
Yes the NZSAS did operate in Borneo during Confrontation as well as 1RNZIR Bn, they conducted Claret operation (Cross border) with 22 SAS.
militaryman3121
New Member
My uncle was in the nzsas, he was on the program aswel, that was aired on tv3 mid 2007 you can watch trailers here http://www.army.mil.nz/our-army/nzsas/default.htm, the nzsas training is brutal, oh and the nzsas soilder willium tapiata( i think thats his name) won the vc for carriring his ingured mate half a km in open fire and took him to safety, this was in afganstan about a year ago aganist teleiban forces.
Thanks.
Thanks.
recce.k1
Well-Known Member
LAV deployment to Afghanistan ruled out
Roads too bad for our LAVs
By LEE MATTHEWS - Manawatu Standard | Wednesday, 02 April 2008
http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatustandard/4460283a6003.html
Crumpy would be proud - New Zealand defence forces will stick with their Toyota Hiluxes in Afghanistan because the roads are too bad to use light armoured vehicles.
One of four Army utes patrolling in Bamiyan province was hit by a roadside bomb earlier this week. Nobody was injured - but National Party defence spokesman Wayne Mapp immediately called for LAVs to be sent to Afghanistan to keep the troops safe.
"Labour spent $700 million purchasing 105 LAVs. Since then, up to 38 have been in storage at any given time, and they have never been deployed," Dr Mapp said. But Defence spokesman Commander Shaun Fogarty said there was no intention to send LAVs to Afghanistan. They wouldn't cope with the bad roads.
"Some -of the roading in this area is so unstable and remote, the LAVs would not be useable," Commander Fogarty said. "We're better off with our Toyota Hilux utes. They're four-wheel-drive, can handle the terrain, and some of them have armoured chassis."
Using LAVs would also send the wrong message to the Afghani people.
"It's low-security there, our role is humanitarian. Armoured LAVs are not the profile we want to present."
This week's bomb incident was the first of its type in 12 rotations of personnel to the province, he said.
Roads too bad for our LAVs
By LEE MATTHEWS - Manawatu Standard | Wednesday, 02 April 2008
http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatustandard/4460283a6003.html
Crumpy would be proud - New Zealand defence forces will stick with their Toyota Hiluxes in Afghanistan because the roads are too bad to use light armoured vehicles.
One of four Army utes patrolling in Bamiyan province was hit by a roadside bomb earlier this week. Nobody was injured - but National Party defence spokesman Wayne Mapp immediately called for LAVs to be sent to Afghanistan to keep the troops safe.
"Labour spent $700 million purchasing 105 LAVs. Since then, up to 38 have been in storage at any given time, and they have never been deployed," Dr Mapp said. But Defence spokesman Commander Shaun Fogarty said there was no intention to send LAVs to Afghanistan. They wouldn't cope with the bad roads.
"Some -of the roading in this area is so unstable and remote, the LAVs would not be useable," Commander Fogarty said. "We're better off with our Toyota Hilux utes. They're four-wheel-drive, can handle the terrain, and some of them have armoured chassis."
Using LAVs would also send the wrong message to the Afghani people.
"It's low-security there, our role is humanitarian. Armoured LAVs are not the profile we want to present."
This week's bomb incident was the first of its type in 12 rotations of personnel to the province, he said.
recce.k1
Well-Known Member
More NZ troops being sent to Afghanistan
Source: Radio New Zealand - Posted at 8:41am on 04 Apr 2008
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/latest/200804040841/2bd0e31
The government has extended the deployment of New Zealand forces in Afghanistan.
An additional 18 general service troops will join the Provincial Reconstruction Team in Bamyan province this month, bringing the total number of New Zealand defence force personnel in Afghanistan to 140.
The decision was announced by the Prime Minister Helen Clark, who is at the NATO summit in Romania.
She says the decision is due to concerns about growing violence in areas surrounding the Bamyan province.
Miss Clark says increasing troop numbers is the most effective way of protecting the security of existing personnel and will also boost the number of patrols.
Last Sunday, a patrol was caught up in an explosion of an improvised device in the province.
Defence Minister Phil Goff says a security review, carried out before the incident, indicated the additional 18 troops would be enough to ensure New Zealand soldiers' safety against the threat of insurgency from neighbouring areas.
Mr Goff says the level of security does not warrant the deployment of special forces, nor does it require the use of light armoured vehicles.
But he says the situation is constantly under review and if the defence force indicates it needs to step up the level of protection in Afghanistan, he will listen to its advice.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Backgrounder - excerpt from http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/prime+minister+hillary+service+and+nato+summit
Helen Clark will then attend NATO's Enlarged Meeting on Afghanistan, in Bucharest, Romania on 3 April.
"New Zealand is among fifteen non-NATO contributors to the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) mission in Afghanistan invited to Bucharest to refine the political and military strategy for support to Afghanistan. The ISAF operates under a United Nations mandate.
"There is an emerging view that more can be done for Afghanistan. NATO will discuss a strategy for future international support for Afghanistan, including the need for increased co-ordination among key partners in Afghanistan to strengthen governance and development support to the Afghan Government," Helen Clark said.
New Zealand has Defence Force personnel in Afghanistan, serving within the Provincial Reconstruction Team in Bamyan Province and in headquarters and training roles elsewhere in the country. The PRT maintains security, assists with reconstruction and development, and distributes emergency humanitarian assistance.
Source: Radio New Zealand - Posted at 8:41am on 04 Apr 2008
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/latest/200804040841/2bd0e31
The government has extended the deployment of New Zealand forces in Afghanistan.
An additional 18 general service troops will join the Provincial Reconstruction Team in Bamyan province this month, bringing the total number of New Zealand defence force personnel in Afghanistan to 140.
The decision was announced by the Prime Minister Helen Clark, who is at the NATO summit in Romania.
She says the decision is due to concerns about growing violence in areas surrounding the Bamyan province.
Miss Clark says increasing troop numbers is the most effective way of protecting the security of existing personnel and will also boost the number of patrols.
Last Sunday, a patrol was caught up in an explosion of an improvised device in the province.
Defence Minister Phil Goff says a security review, carried out before the incident, indicated the additional 18 troops would be enough to ensure New Zealand soldiers' safety against the threat of insurgency from neighbouring areas.
Mr Goff says the level of security does not warrant the deployment of special forces, nor does it require the use of light armoured vehicles.
But he says the situation is constantly under review and if the defence force indicates it needs to step up the level of protection in Afghanistan, he will listen to its advice.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Backgrounder - excerpt from http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/prime+minister+hillary+service+and+nato+summit
Helen Clark will then attend NATO's Enlarged Meeting on Afghanistan, in Bucharest, Romania on 3 April.
"New Zealand is among fifteen non-NATO contributors to the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) mission in Afghanistan invited to Bucharest to refine the political and military strategy for support to Afghanistan. The ISAF operates under a United Nations mandate.
"There is an emerging view that more can be done for Afghanistan. NATO will discuss a strategy for future international support for Afghanistan, including the need for increased co-ordination among key partners in Afghanistan to strengthen governance and development support to the Afghan Government," Helen Clark said.
New Zealand has Defence Force personnel in Afghanistan, serving within the Provincial Reconstruction Team in Bamyan Province and in headquarters and training roles elsewhere in the country. The PRT maintains security, assists with reconstruction and development, and distributes emergency humanitarian assistance.
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Stuart Mackey
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All about situational context, really. The Canadians have a squadron of Leopard 2A6m MBT's in their area, as thats what they feel the situation calls for (which makes one think of the potential threats we could theoretically face).
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Aussie Digger
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The Canadian Leo's are there because they are actually conducting combat operations, unlike NZ and Australia who are conducting reconstruction tasks, local security operations and a bit of specwarops...
Our Armoured Pinz would not stand the punishment of an IED, they were tested in the UK to take the punishment of two HE grenades under the body & to withstand 7.62mm it is LAV or nothing.
weasel1962
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