DEFENCE UPDATE NEW ZEALAND. VISIT OUR WEBSITES: AUG 06

Transcription

1 VISIT OUR WEBSITES: AUG 06 NEW ZEALAND DEFENCE UPDATE Dame Te Atairangikaahu mourned Adapting to change Kiwis in Korea Afghanistan three years on New helicopters, new capabilities Engineers honoured Soldiers return New Defence Psychology Unit

2 The changing face of security operations The New Zealand soldiers who deployed to Timor Leste faced a situation very few of them would have encountered before, says Land Component Commander, Brigadier Phil Gibbons. But that is the nature of contemporary conflict. Today our soldiers must be prepared to change and adapt at will, and respond to very different and complex situations and operations. In Timor-Leste New Zealand soldiers immediately became involved in detaining people, and patrolling the streets of Becora in Dili where there was looting, gang activity, and sporadic violence. They had very limited missionspecific pre-deployment training for Timor-Leste. What has allowed them to deploy and successfully undertake operations like this was the leadership provided to them in theatre and the ongoing training that occurs in their units, said Brigadier Gibbons. Timor-Leste is reported to be relatively calm now, as New New Zealand Defence Update provides information about defence policy and people, and the activities of our forces throughout the world, to a wide audience in New Zealand and overseas. It is published monthly, and is also available on www. nzdf.mil.nz. We welcome your feedback. Editor: Judith Martin, Defence Public Relations Unit, tel , Judith.martin@nzdf.mil.nz Editorial Policy: The opinions expressed in Defence Update are not necessarily those of the New Zealand Defence Force or the Ministry of Defence. The Defence Public Relations Unit also produces individual publications for New Zealand s Navy, Army and Air Force. These are available on request. COVER: Sergeant Justin Tamehana, an instructor at the Air Force Parachute Training and Support Unit, retrieves his gear after a jump. Photo: Rebecca Kelleher. Inset: NZ PRT member in Afghanistan, Sergeant Kathy Spence with Farizah, a resident of the local orphanage.(see Afghanistan - three years on) Zealand, Australian and Malaysian military and police patrol the streets and villages. Land Component Commander Brigadier Gibbons is responsible for the training and preparation of all NZ Army Land Forces to successfully deploy to locations such as Timor- Leste and conduct effective operations. Brigadier Gibbons said the Army personnel, 200 of whom are in Timor-Leste, did an excellent job in creating a secure environment and returning a degree of normality to the people of Dili. The New Zealand senior national officer for the first two months of the Timor-Leste conflict, Lieutenant Colonel Jeremy Harker, said his soldiers faced a very complex situation. They encountered guys carrying machetes, wearing running shoes, and carrying lighters to start fires and burn buildings. Our soldiers were wearing flak jackets, webbing and helmets, and carrying rifles. It was impractical to give chase. They (the New Zealanders) used their gumption to work out the environment, and ascertain their advantages and disadvantages. Platoons were often broken into smaller elements, and blocking positions set up. Much of the violence and rioting occurred at night, so the troops night vision equipment was particularly useful, he said. They (the New Zealanders) had to be very mindful of the legal ramifications involved in detaining people. They were working in a mainly urban environment where it was difficult to tell if a man carrying a machete was, for example, a farmer acting legitimately, or a gang member who had just seriously injured someone. Local Timorese were growing increasingly confident in their security, and were now more willing Brigadier Phil Gibbons to stop or report illegal activity, he said. Brigadier Gibbons, who recently accompanied the NZ Commander Joint Forces, Rear Admiral Jack Steer in a visit to the Australian-led Combined Joint Task Force in Timor- Leste, said he was impressed with the performance of the New Zealand soldiers. They re pro-active and not afraid to make decisions, which is important in that environment. They have to be aware that everything they do in that situation has an impact not only on their own security, but that of their Platoon, and the rest of the New Zealand Company. The ethos, values and unique culture of the NZ Army assist us in establishing a strong relationship with the local people. This in turn contributes to the creation of a secure environment and aids our own force protection. The operations New Zealand Defence Force personnel took part in now, said Brigadier Gibbons, meant that on any one day they could be delivering aid, securing a critical location, and potentially using force, all in one small geographical area. They know they have to be adaptable and multi-dimensional. On patrol: a soldier in Timor Leste.

3 NZDF mourns Maori Queen s passing The Maori Queen, the late Dame Te Atairangikaahu, was part of a legacy that has a special, enduring and engaging relationship with the New Zealand Defence Force, said Chief of Defence Force, Lieutenant General Jerry Mateparae. He said Dame Te Atairangikaahu, who died on Tuesday, 15 August, had been a considerable contributor to where Maori and the Defence Force now stood. "She always encouraged a relationship between Maoridom and Defence that was appropriate and robust, and was built on trust and mutual respect. She had a particularly close relationship with the Navy." "Maoridom has always been of major significance to the NZDF, through its history, its single Services, and the high proportion of Maori within our military. Like all New Zealanders we Ordinary Seaman, Daniel Hemara welcomes Dame Te Atairangikaahu on board HMNZS Te Mana. are proud of Dame Te Atairangikaahu s achievements and contributions to New Zealand. She was deeply respected across the Defence Force and we feel a sense of loss at her passing." Dame Te Atairangikaahu was the patron of the ANZAC frigate, HMNZS Te Mana, and launched the ship in Melbourne in Two years later she was guest of honour at the frigate s commissioning in Tauranga. She maintained a strong interest in the ship and ship s company, visiting regularly. She last visited Te Mana in December 2005, when she was welcomed on board by the ship s Kapahaka group. With its visitors aboard, the frigate set sail for the inner Hauraki Gulf, allowing Dame Te Atairangikaahu the opportunity to interact with sailors and officers, and observe the ship s company at work. The Defence Force worked in consultation Dame Te Atairangikaahu with Dame Te Atairangikaahu's Tainui tribe to ensure her passing was commemorated appropriately. Dame Te Atairangikaahu lay in state at Turangawaewae Marae in Ngaruawahia, and thousands of people attended her tangi. The Defence Force provided logistical support, including chefs, portable kitchens and other equipment. LTGEN Mateparae, Vice Chief of Defence Force, Air Vice Marshal David Bamfield, Chief of Navy, Rear Admiral David Ledson, Chief of Army, Major General Lou Gardiner, Commander Joint Forces New Zealand, Chief of Air, Air Vice Marshal Graham Lintott, Rear Admiral Jack Steer, the Warrant Officer of the NZDF, WO1 John Barclay, and other senior Defence representatives were welcomed onto the marae to pay their respects on Saturday, 19 August. Dame Te Atairangikaahu was buried on Monday, 21 August. Army Unimog accident Private Meredith Jonathan Simms (18) died on Wednesday 16 August in a Unimog accident at Weld Pass near Blenheim. The other soldier involved in the accident is in a stable condition in hospital with spinal injuries. The driver of the vehicle was fully qualified to operate the Unimog, which was was returning to Burnham Military Camp after a 10- day exercise in the Marlborough region. Major General Lou Gardiner, Chief of Army, said he wished to reiterate his deepest regret and sympathy to the family of Private Simms. "He was a valued member of the Army and will be sadly missed by us all. Our thoughts are also with the seriously injured soldier who remains in hospital." Major General Gardiner has confidence in the Army s Unimog fleet. This terrible tragedy has once again created media speculation over the safety of the Army s Mercedes Benz Unimog fleet. I remain fully confident in our fleet. We have operated a large fleet of Unimogs for over 20 years, and we drive 2.8 million kilometres per year in these vehicles. They are very well serviced and maintained, meet all legal requirements for road worthiness, meet our operational requirements and continue to serve the Army well. The Unimog is the Army s workhorse. It is used to move personnel, stores, and equipment. It continues to be an essential component in supporting personnel throughout New Zealand on military exercises, routine training activities, and when the Army is required to assist in disaster relief and rescue operations. We must be cautious about linking Unimog accidents. The situations surrounding each incident have been different and there is no evidence to suggest a single cause."

4 OUR PEOPLE Jumping for a job the Parachute Training and Support Unit When Justin Tamehana first jumped out of an aircraft 300 metres above the ground, he knew what he wanted to do for the rest of his career. The Air Force sergeant is now a parachute jump instructor, and despite having jumped "hundreds of times" he says he still gets a buzz out of jumping and teaching parachuting skills to others. Parachuting has been a feature of military operations since World War 1 when soldiers on the front were resupplied with air-borne deliveries. It is an infiltration skill, and is used to get personnel into an area quickly and quietly. The Air Force s Aucklandbased Parachute Training and Support Unit (PTSU) is responsible for training all New Zealand Defence Force personnel who need parachute proficiency. Officer Commanding (PTSU) Squadron Leader Darryn Pritchard says the unit, which has seven instructors, provides most of the training needed by the NZDF s special forces and their support personnel such as medics and engineers. Some Army and Navy personnel also complete the unit s courses. There are two basic courses, one involving low-level tuition. Both are eight jumps long, and trainees spend a week doing ground training, and then a week jumping by day and night, with and without military equipment such as pack and weapon. There are other courses ranging from High Altitude High Opening with ram air canopies, free fall and tandem instruction, to dispatcher training and instructing instructors. They are run by the unit for Service personnel, both from New Zealand and overseas. Military parachuting is different from civilian skydiving, says Squadron Leader Pritchard. "There are a lot of things you can get away with in the civilian world that you can t in the military. We do this for a living, not a sport, so there are all sorts of checks and balances to observe. Our planning is very robust, and we must make sure we have appropriate clearances and everything is in place." Parachutists need good nerves and a sense of adventure, he says. "They say parachuting is 80 percent mental, 20 percent physical. It s not for Instructors Master Crewman Barbie Attwood (left) and Sergeant Lev Leatherland moments after leaving the rear of a C-130 Hercules aircraft. Members of the Air Force s Kiwi Blue parachute display team demonstrate their skills. Safety and surface riggers pack parachutes at the PTSU base. everyone, that s for sure. A lot of people don t remember much about their first jump. We often film our students so they can see what they did right and wrong." The unit teaches using low-level round parachutes which can be dropped from anywhere between 300 metres to about 800 metres. It also uses ram air static lines for freefall as well as high altitude, high opening parachuting. Tandem parachuting is taught to enable additional personnel, for example, a doctor or medic, to be dropped in an area where other access is difficult, in order to deliver humanitarian relief. Sergeant Tamehana: "I was in the Army and did a parachute course. I enjoyed it so much, I decided to change over to Air Force. I also like teaching people, so I knew I just had to become an instructor. It s total enjoyment. And it s my job!"

5 New helicopters, more capabilities The Royal New Zealand Air Force s new NH90 helicopters will give the New Zealand Defence Force more capabilities than it has ever had before. The first of the eight NH90 helicopters will be delivered in 2010, and the new fleet will replace the Air Force s year-old Iroquois helicopters. Fewer of the new helicopters are needed because of the state of the art technology they incorporate, and their greater capacity and range of capabilities. Compared to the Iroquois, the NH90 can carry 19 rather than eight passengers, or 12 fully-equipped troops as opposed to five. It can cruise at 260km/hour, which is a third faster than the Iroquois, and its maximum range is 815 km compared with 330km. The NH90 was chosen because of its versatility in deploying soldiers into action, and in dealing with complex counter-terrorism operations. The fleet will be operated and maintained by the Air Force, but it will be very much part of a joint-focussed defence force. The NH90 will be able to operate off the Navy s new multi role vessel when there are no port facilities, and landing craft cannot be used. As with the Iroquois, the NH 90 s primary role will be battlefield support, but they will also be available for use in civil disasters in New Zealand and elsewhere, such as floods, earthquakes, snow, cyclones or tsunamis, and can operate for extended periods and with large loads in all weathers, day and night. NH90s have a much greater reach in search and rescue work, and are better able to recover people in extreme environmental conditions. They will also be able to operate at night over land and sea in support of land and maritime interdiction operations against drug, illegal immigrant or terrorist threats. Chief of Air Force, Air Vice Marshal Graham Lintott said the NH90 would be a cornerstone of NZDF capability over the next 30 years."when we line up the NH90s alongside our upgraded B-757s, P-3K2 Orions and C-130 Hercules, we will have an extremely modern and capable operational fleet of aircraft." Fact file Type: NH90 helicopter What is it? An advanced, medium utility helicopter. Number available: Eight, the first to be delivered in 2010, with the fleet fully operational by Roles: Battlefield support, disaster relief, search and rescue. Will operate from: RNZAF Base Ohakea. Capabilities: Can carry 12 fullyequipped soldiers or 19 lightly-equipped passengers. Can lift an Army Light Operational Vehicle. Size: Four can fit on the Navy s new multi role vessel. Can be transported by C-130 Hercules aircraft, or self-deploy to Australia or most Pacific islands. Range: 800 km. Speed: Cruises at 260km. Cost: $771 million, to be met within the existing Defence Long Term Development Plan.

6 Afghanistan three years on By Judith Martin On a mountainous Afghan road little better than a goat track, a young Kiwi soldier adjusts his body armour, wipes dust from his face, and counts the hours till he will leave the boulder strewn road and reach his destination. For Private Todd Young, a former Wellington College student who has just celebrated his 21st birthday in the grime and heat of Afghanistan, patrolling is everything. We get out, just 11 of us, and we re gone for three weeks. The locals in our area know us now and we re getting to know them quite well. It s our area and we pretty much know what s going on. I look forward to getting out there, sitting with the boss while he talks to the local governors, and hearing what s going on. This is Bamyan, the sprawling highland province of Afghanistan where the New Zealand Defence Force s Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) is based. The PRT s mission is to enhance the security environment in the formerly war-torn province, and promote reconstruction effort in the province s myriad small towns and villages. At the same time it is monitoring and assessing military, civil and political reforms by establishing relationships and links throughout the wider community. All this is to encourage Afghanistan back on its feet after decades of oppression, and to prevent the reemergence of trans-national terrorist groups. On patrol: Private Todd Young. PRT planning officer Squadron Leader Shane Meighan, Staff Sergeant Brendon McDonald and Captain Matthew Tihi look over plans with building company director Asghar Shment (second left). It is nearly three years since the New Zealand PRTs first arrived in Bamyan under the auspices of the international relief effort- Operation Enduring Freedom. Is it achieving what it set out to? In the starkness of the Bamyan countryside, dotted with mud huts, scrawny donkeys and barefoot children, it s difficult to imagine how it may have been before the Taliban began wreaking havoc in the 1990s. The 120-strong NZ PRT was one of first established in Afghanistan. There are now 23 throughout the country, and the Kiwi operation has been used as a role model for other teams, with observers regularly dropping by to see how things are done. Since the PRT s arrival the people of Bamyan have for the first time in their history voted for a president and parliamentary representatives. Ask any English-speaking local what s changed, and they re enthusiastic. The children can go to school now, we have water, and we can get help if we really need it the clinics if we get sick, that sort of thing. The best thing though is we are no longer frightened, says Masaud, a businessman at the local bazaar. Standing behind his sacks of spices, cans of soft drink and baskets of sandals, he talks about how he hopes the road through the bazaar may some day be sealed it is full of huge potholes and turns into a swamp in winter. Sometimes things have to happen slowly but that is all right. Most of the time we have what matters. Providing what matters is proving something of a mission for the PRT s planning officer, Air Force engineer Squadron Leader Shane Meighan. He scratches his head and wonders aloud if everything that needs to be done will be finished in the short construction season 20 weeks available in Bamyan. Beyond that snow is falling, concrete won t set, and local workers can t get to their sites.

7 The bigger jobs undertaken by the PRT the rebuilding of the local university, a new college for local children, five new police stations, the rebuilding village schools are among projects on the list are undertaken by locals, funded mainly by the New Zealand Agency for International Development (NZAID), and supervised by the PRT. In Afghanistan, a different attitude can prevail towards time keeping. It can be frustrating, says Squadron Leader Meighan. But we re getting there. We just have to adjust and do the best we can. It is up to him and his team of three Army engineers to ensure standards are met, and projects carried out efficiently. In charge: Captain Ross Smith, RNZN We have a regular inspection cycle, and the contractors have milestones they must meet before they are paid. If the work isn t done to our standards it has to be done again. I want the PRT to walk away from this place knowing that any building we were responsible for will stand up, is safe, and will last. In the two months the latest PRT has been in Bamyan there have been 127 gate requests pleas for help with projects from people who turn up at the base gate. Each has been considered, and while many are not feasible due to their size or availability of funding, most are referred to the local government council which decides their priority. Meighan: We re trying to build capacity, to get the local council to support itself, and take care of its own planning and decision making. We re here to help them develop the skills to be self-governing. Ultimately we should do ourselves out of a job here I hope. That s our aim. Back at the Kiwi base, a five-vehicle convoy is practising counter vehicle ambush drills in preparation for another patrol under the watchful eye of Sergeant Major James Moohan. The language is colourful as Sergeant Major Moohan insists they practise again and again what they should do should things go wrong. The PRT s four patrols head out from the main Kiwi base for three-week stints in their assigned areas. With their vehicles loaded with fresh rations, and accompanied by a medic, they look after themselves in small makeshift bases. In daylight they patrol. That s the best part, says Private Young, who provides protection for the patrol commander. There s always something different to do. Their duties vary: they constantly watch for combatants or suspicious activity, but also deliver aid, such as clothing, school equipment and food, and meet with the local subgovernors and chiefs of police to drink tea and hear what s going on. Sometimes pleas for assistance are made, and if the patrol can t help immediately, the request is relayed back to the team headquarters for further consideration. It may be that a water Army medic Sergeant Lisa Pomana with children at the local orphanage. pump needs repairing, a cache of weapons needs to be destroyed, or part of a local classroom rebuilt. The PRT s commanding officer, Naval Captain Ross Smith, says the signs are very encouraging the PRT is making a significant impact in Bamyan. There are frustrations- what job doesn t have those? Each PRT rotation is here for only six months, and there are good reasons for that but you can lose a bit of continuity. The construction season is short, and there is so much assistance needed here. We d like to help everyone who asks, but that is unrealistic. The best part of all this is you can see where you have been you can see the effect of the work you have done, and what it means to these people. This team is very young, but that s the nature of our military. I think their enthusiasm stems from seeing that they are able to make a difference to people who really need it. For me, that makes it all worthwhile. Taking tea: A PRT patrol shares afternoon tea and discusses issues of concern with local village elders.

8 New psychology directorate to support the New Zealand Defence Force A Directorate of Psychology to support the New Zealand Defence Force's psychology services and conduct wider human resource-related material has been established. The unit, headed by Air Force psychologist Wing Commander Emma Davis, is based in Wellington. "The directorate has a number of aims, but the primary one is to increase the defence force's research capability in support of the single Services in the area of psychology and also wider human resources issues," says WGCDR Davis. The research will be primarily within the NZDF, but will also relate to external trends and benchmarking. The NZDF has 22 industrial organisational psychologists across the three Services. They support operational deployments, and also work in the areas of recruitment, selection, training and performance management to ensure the defence force effectively manages people. In operational deployments psychologists brief personnel prior to deploying about the impact the mission may have on themselves and their families, and what to expect when they arrive in theatre. They ensure personnel are wellprepared for being away from their families. Personnel are debriefed as their deployment finishes, to enable them to fit back easily into their life at work and home. Psychologists are also on hand to provide advice should there be a critical incident, such as a death or major trauma during a deployment. WGCDR Davis says she is looking forward to her role as director of the new unit, as research has always been of particular interest to her. "The involvement of psychologists in our military is one of our strengths in that we have a strong foundation of research that underpins our practices. We use research as the basis for designing and delivering psychological services to the organisation." One of the priorities for the directorate will be ongoing research looking at the recruiting tests all non-commissioned ranks sit when applying to join the Services. "Those tests are very important and must be good predictors of success in training, particularly when we want to attract high quality and a sufficient quantity of recruits. As society and the external environment changes we need to ensure the tests are up to date and relevant." New Zealand has strong links with the militaries of the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and the United States, and uses overseas research as well as its own, says WGCDR Davis. "We also have links with universities and other external agencies to ensure we have access to up to date research in the broad range of areas we work in." NZDF psychologists are based at all its camps, bases and training establishments to support personnel through their training, and help with any difficulties which they may encounter. Psychologists help enhance individual and organizational performance, and provide continuous education into areas such as stress management, leadership development and managing personnel issues. The NZDF has previously had a Defence Psychology Unit, but it was disestablished in 1991, when psychological services devolved to the single Services. WGCDR Davis said the demand for psychological services within the defence force over the past 15 years had grown as psychologists now contribute to all aspects of military activities. Directorate members WGCDR Emma Davis (right) psychologist Lieutenant Commander Pip Gibbons and research officer Sarah Overdale.

9 Kiwis in Korea overseeing an armistice Five New Zealand Defence Force personnel are helping keep the tenuous peace along the division between North and South Korea. Colonel Tim Gall, New Zealand s Defence Attaché in Seoul, serves as both an advisor and liaison officer to the United Nations Command Military Armistice Commission (UNCMAC). Major Richard Anderson is UNCMAC s assistant operations officer, Sub-Lieutenant Fraser Toulmin, RNZN, is assigned to the transportation Corridor-West, and Lieutenant Nicholas Fisher, of the New Zealand Army, is responsible for monitoring activity in the eastern Transportation Corridor. The Armistice between North and South Korea was signed in 1953, and three commissions were established to help monitor it. The Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission, which New Zealand is aligned to, was established to Divided: the DMZ between North and South Korea monitor the peace outside the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), a 241 km long and four km wide buffer zone separating the opposing forces. Sixteen nations have personnel involved in monitoring the Armistice. As an advisor to UNCMAC, Colonel Gall helps investigate Armistice violations, meets with senior United Nations Command (UNC) representatives, and participates in UNC exercises. In his role with UNCMAC Major Anderson regularly monitors the DMZ, usually by vehicle or helicopter, and he also investigates and documents Armistice violations. "Part of our job is to ensure the Republic of Korea soldiers monitoring the DMZ understand the Armistace Rules of Engagement, and that they comply with those rules. We try to ensure the commanders and their soldiers along the DMZ know the correct procedure should there be a violation, for example, if a someone fires at their post. Violations can range from deaths and Armistice monitor: Major Richard Anderson prepares for a patrol. defections, to small arms fire and other hostile acts. Sub-Lieutenant Toulmin and Lieutenant Fisher monitor activities along their assigned corridors. The Eastern corridor was established mainly for tourists travelling north to visit the Mt Keumgan resort, while the Western one was built to allow the transportation of raw material and personnel to and from The Kaesong Industrial Complex in North Korea. Major Anderson, a Territorial Force officer who is a lawyer in civilian life, says the mission is busy, especially as violations can happen at any time, and must be investigated. "One of the main hurdles is language difficulties. Other personnel find our New Zealand accents are at times difficult to understand, especially on the telephone. But the work is interesting, especially the monitoring and inspections, and seeing how different militaries operate." Army engineers honoured The New Zealand Army was honoured by the New Zealand Institute of Building at the Industry Awards Dinner held in Auckland on Friday 11 August The award was the first of its kind in New Zealand and was presented to the Corps of Royal New Zealand Engineers in recognition of its efforts in the field of humanitarian and development construction, particularly in East Timor, Iraq, Afghanistan and the South West Pacific. The award was accepted by Lieutenant Keri Anderson and Captain Neville Mosley on behalf of the Royal New Zealand Engineers. Both Lt Anderson and Captain Mosley have led construction teams in Iraq and Afghanistan. Chief of Army, Major General Lou Gardiner, commended the engineers. "They are a vital asset to the New Zealand Army and the humanitarian work they conduct overseas makes a real difference to people affected by unrest and hardship. To be recognised by the New Zealand Institute of Building for this work has shown New Zealand that the Army engineers are at the top of their profession." New Zealand Army engineers repair a bridge in Iraq. They returned home from their six-month deployment to Iraq in September 2004.

10 IN BRIEF Air base redevelopment A contract has been signed for the creation of a master plan for the redevelopment of the Royal New Zealand Air Force base at Ohakea. Chief of Defence Force, Lieutenant General Jerry Mataparae and representatives of engineering consultancy Beca Carter Hollings and Ferner Limited have signed the contract appointing the principal consultants for the redevelopment of Ohakea. They will create a master plan for the redevelopment which will provide a detailed overview of all work required for the relocation of Air Force operations from Whenuapai to Ohakea. The project is under the auspices of the government's Long Term Development Plan for defence, and will deliver significant efficiencies through consolidation of operations currently undertaken at Whenuapai and Ohakea. The relocation involves the construction or alteration of 68 functional areas, which are classed as 26 separate construction projects. Tenders will be called for the design and construction projects. Army artist paints Governor s portrait Army artist Captain Matt Gauldie was so inspired by the Governor of Bamyan in Afghanistan, Habiba Sorabi, he painted her portrait, and presented the finished work to her. Captain Gauldie is in Afghanistan with the New Zealand Defence Force Provincial Reconstruction Team, recording the team s work. He sat in on recent media interviews with Governor Sorabi, and was, he says, "very impressed with her presence". "I was moved by her story, personality, courage, and commitment to move Afghanistan forward, especially with regard to providing a voice for the women of Afghanistan. I felt honoured to be able to present the painting to her,"he said. "When you paint a portrait you need to get a vibe from the person you are painting. I tried to include strength, humility, a sense of humour and charisma in the painting." Captain Gauldie has also completed a mural at the local orphanage in Bamyan. Governor Sorabi was the first woman to become a governor in Afghanistan. She has been a high-profile figure in the promotion of women s rights and of the plight of Afghani women under the Taleban regime. Following US military action in 2001 and the removal of the Taleban, she was appointed Women s Affairs Minister, and took up her current appointment in Governor General farewelled The Governor General of New Zealand, Dame Silvia Cartwright, who is also the Commander in Chief of the New Zealand Defence Force, was officially farewelled at Parliament on Wednesday 2 August. A 136-strong Royal Tri-Service Guard of Honour, led by the RNZAF s Central Band, marched onto Parliament Grounds at 11.15am. The Governor General s motorcade arrived at Parliament s gate ten minutes later where she and her husband Peter Cartwright, were greeted by the Prime Minister Helen Clark. After a fanfare of trumpets, representatives from the local iwi, Te Atiawa, provided a rousing powhiri. The new Governor General, Judge Anand Satyanand, was sworn in at Parliament on 23 August. Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant General Jerry Mateparae greets Dame Silvia

11 IN BRIEF Ships to Japan New Zealand Navy ships Te Kaha and Endeavour visited Tokyo, Japan in early August. The New Zealand ships were hosted by the Japanese destroyer, JDS Harusame. With 166 crew onboard, JDS Harusame escorted the New Zealand ships into Toyko. It berthed beside Te Kaha and Endeavour, and provided support throughout the ships visit. JDS Harusame, and HMNZ Ships Te Kaha and Endeavour sailed on 8 August. They remained operating at sea together for five hours. They conducted close ship manoeuverings, refuelling at sea operations, and a flying exercise. This was the first port visit for Te Kaha and Endeavour in a fivemonth deployment around North and Southeast Asia. The RNZN s last visit to Japan was by HMNZ Ships Te Mana and Endeavour in May/ June 2005 in support of the Aichi World Expo. During their current visit, the crew built on the exposure to New Zealand gained during the expo. Canterbury to be sunk in Bay of Islands The former Royal New Zealand Navy frigate, HMNZS Canterbury will be sunk as a dive wreck at Deepwater Cove, Cape Brett in the Bay of Islands. "The disposal of the Canterbury for scrap was examined as an option but the greater long term economic benefit to the country was thought to come from the sinking of the frigate as a dive wreck, Defence Minister Phil Goff said. "A number of registrations of interest for disposal of the Canterbury were received from the North Auckland area. The strongest case was that put forward by the Bay of Islands Trust which will be given responsibility for sinking the vessel." Multi role vessel sails The multi role vessel to be commissioned into the Navy next year is making its maiden voyage from Holland, and is due to arrive in Australia in early October. In Williamstown, Melbourne, Tenix Defence will fit out the vessel with its weapon and communication systems. The crew will be trained there, and contractor s acceptance trials held before the ship is handed over to the Ministry of Defence in late January 2007.When Ministry officials are satisfied all aspects of the contract to build the ship have been met, it will be given to the Navy and commissioned into service. The multi role vessel, which on commissioning will become HMNZS Canterbury, is one of seven ships being built for the Navy. The others include four inshore and two offshore patrol boats. Soldiers return Forty New Zealand soldiers from Burnham Army Camp returned home on 5 August after a four-month tour of duty to Solomon Islands. The soldiers served as part of the New Zealand Defence Force s contribution to the Regional Assistance Mission Solomon Islands (RAMSI). The platoon, from 2/1 RNZIR Battalion in Burnham, has been replaced by one from Linton Military camp. There are currently 42 NZDF personnel serving in Solomon Islands. RAMSI began in late July 2003 following a request for assistance to restore law and order from the Solomon Islands Government. RAMSI was given the support of the Pacific Island Forum, the Commonwealth, and the United Nations. Over 2000 police, military and civilian personnel from New Zealand, Australia, Fiji, Tonga and Papua New Guinea have served with RAMSI. The Police component of RAMSI retains overall control of security, with the military providing support. This combined contribution maintains the RAMSI mandate, which is to promote peace and stability within Solomon Islands The number of personnel deployed was increased significantly following recent riots in Honiara, the capital city of Solomon Islands.

12 NEW ZEALAND Army commemorates Battle of Long Tan Seven members of the New Zealand Army s Artillery Regiment took part in commemorations in Canberra this month to mark the 40th Anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan. On 18 August the soldiers, who are all currently serving with the Linton-based 161 Battery, joined their Australian counterparts in a symbolic regimental fire mission within the grounds of the Royal Military College in Duntroon, and took part in a parade through the streets of Canberra. The invitation to attend the commemorations was extended by the Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia in recognition of the role 161 Battery played in the Battle of Long Tan. At Long Tan New Zealand s 161 Battery fired alongside Australian artillery in one of the most decisive battles for the ANZACs involved in the Vietnam War. The effective artillery fire allowed 250 Australian soldiers to repel an attacking force of an estimated 1500 North Vietnamese. A New Zealand gun crew stands by their M2A2 105mm gun. In the Battle of Long Tan L5 light guns were used. THE NEW ZEALAND DEFENCE FORCE: ALL CORNERS OF THE WORLD NZ DEFENCE FORCE OPERATIONS CONTRIBUTIONS TO UN MISSIONS LOCATION DEPLOYED UNOTIL Timor-Leste 1 UNMIK Kosovo 1 UNTSO Middle East 8 UNCMAC Korea 3 UNAMI Iraq 1 UNAMA Afghanistan 1 UNMIS Sudan 3 CONTRIBUTIONS TO REGIONAL MISSIONS LOCATION DEPLOYED RAMSI Solomon Islands 41 CONTRIBUTIONS TO INTERNATIONAL FORCES LOCATION DEPLOYED EUFOR Liaison Team Bosnia 11 ISAF Staff Officers/NCO Afghanistan 3 MFO Sinai 26 OEF Staff Officer/SNCOs Afghanistan 4 OEF Provincial Reconstruction Team Afghanistan 122 OEF (RNZAF) The Gulf Region 6 OEF Florida, USA 3 Timor Leste Coalition Force Timor Leste 204 NZ DEFENCE FORCE DEPLOYMENTS HMNZS Te Kaha Asia/Australia 177 HMNZS Endeavour Asia/Australia 48 TOTAL NUMBER OF PERSONNEL ON OPERATIONS OR DEPLOYMENT 663 REGULAR FORCE STRENGTH (As at 1 July) Navy 2,036 Army 4,484 Airforce 2,340 TOTAL NZDF RF 8,860 Territorial forces 2,228 Civilians 2,192