DEFENCE UPDATE 28 NEW ZEALAND. VISIT OUR WEBSITES: NOV 04

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1 VISIT OUR WEBSITES: NEW ZEALAND DEFENCE UPDATE 28 NOV 04 The return of the Unknown Warrior A chance at success: Limited Service Volunteers New Joint Force commander Waiouru investigation begins Afghanistan - Sgt Rebecca Savage Solomons platoon deploys

2 Busy year ahead New Joint Force commander New Zealand Defence Force personnel look set to be as busy as ever in the near future, says newly appointed Joint Force Commander, Major General Lou Gardiner. The operating tempo for our Services over the past 10 years has been extremely high, with duties that have seen us serve in diverse areas throughout the world. It has been a challenge, but one of the many positive aspects of being so involved in international affairs is that we now have a Defence Force with a wealth of operational experience. That can only stand us in good stead for the future. Major General Gardiner, until recently head of New Zealand Defence Staff in Canberra, Australia, replaces Major General Martyn Dunne who has left defence to become Comptroller of Customs. With experience behind him that includes deployments to Somalia and East Timor, and key roles in Army General Staff, Headquarters Support Command, and HQ NZDF, Major General Gardiner says he is looking forward to leading an organisation that is now firmly established, and proving to be immensely effective. Credit is due to my predecessor and his component commanders in the establishment of the Joint Force Headquarters three years ago, with all the attendant issues that any new organisation has whilst at the same time they were able to maintain an extremely high operational tempo. The benefits of having a joint headquarters have been felt for some time now, and I aim to make that continue. 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: Afghanistan soldier Sergeant Rebecca Savage. Photo: Lt Col Greg Davies. Inset: The Guard of Honour for return of the Unknown Warrior. Photo: Cpl Carl Booty. HQ JFNZ was established in Trentham in 2001, and, under the leadership of its commander, is responsible to the Chief of Defence Force for the planning, command and control of all NZDF tactical-level operations and exercises. It is an integrated headquarters and is based on functional rather than Service environment lines. This structure allows the headquarters to function as a single point of contact for HQ NZDF, other government departments and agencies, and allied and other foreign operational-level, joint headquarters. Major General Gardiner says there is very little work that one service does on its own; they invariably work with another, or all three Services, in some way. To be efficient and effective, and there s no point being the former if you re not the latter, and to achieve what the Government requires of us, it is important we (Services) understand each other s way of operating. We achieve so much more through the joint effect duplication is minimised, planning is easier and more effective because we are all working together, and our personnel can contribute to the benefit of all three Services, the NZDF and New Zealand. It is important, he says, for the Navy, Army and Air Force to regenerate after their significant input into operations such as East Timor, and more recently, their contributions to Operation Enduring Freedom as well as further develop their knowledge of joint, combined and coalition operations. To that end considerable effort is being put into Exercise Joint Kiwi 05. A Command Post Exercise in November 04 focused on joint and combined operations, while the field training exercise that begins in February 2005 will focus on coalition operations. Navy, Army and Air Force units from the NZDF, as well as forces from Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom will take part. The modernisation of the NZDF, which has seen new equipment delivered or promised to all three Services, will significantly enhance the military s operational capability, and the way it can work with its allies over the next decade, says Major General Gardiner. It is up to us now to continue to provide the very best training for our personnel, in order to deliver what is required of us. Newly appointed Joint Force Commander, Major General Lou Gardiner.

3 Unknown Warrior returns home New Zealand s Unknown Warrior was brought home by a 78-strong New Zealand Defence Force contingent earlier this month. Three Services, One Force The remains of the unidentified World War 1 soldier were exhumed from a French battlefield and officially handed over to the New Zealand contingent, which included representatives from the New Zealand government and Royal New Zealand Returned Services Association, as well as Defence Force members. In France a French Military Bearer Party carried the casket to the base of a New Zealand memorial in Longueval. Chaplain Julian Wagg, the Principal Defence Force Chaplain opened the ceremony with a prayer, and spoke of all New Zealanders who served the cause of justice and peace in foreign lands. Chief of Defence Force Air Marshal Bruce Ferguson read from the Book of Lamentations before the Last Post was sounded and the New Zealand and French flags were lowered. After arriving in New Zealand the casket of the Unknown Warrior lay in state in Parliament s Legislative Council Chamber The Lying in State was open to the public, and hundreds of mourners filed past to pay their respects. A memorial service was held at the Wellington Cathedral of St Paul, from where a full military funeral procession made its way through central Wellington to the National War Memorial in Buckle Street. Thousands of on-lookers lined the streets and watched as the casket, placed on top of a gun carriage and accompanied by a guard party and the NZDF s most senior officers, was taken to the newly built tomb at the War Memorial. Following a service at the memorial a tri-service firing party fired a three-volley salute, a bugler played the Last Post, and the heavy Matai casket containing the Unknown Warrior was lowered into the tomb. Roses and poppies were placed on top of the casket before the tomb was closed. The project to bring the Unknown Warrior home was coordinated by the Ministry of Culture and Heritage, assisted and supported by several other Government departments, and organisations. Clockwise, from left, Caterpillar Cemetery, Longueval, from which the remains of the Unknown Warrior were disinterred; Principal Defence Force Chaplain Julian Wagg leads the casket bearer party on its arrival in Wellington; the Unknown Warrior lies in state in Parliament s Legislative Council Chamber;the NZDF s most senior officers accompany the Unknown Warrior through the streets of Wellington; Insignia bearer Flt Lt Karl Smith carries representative medals of service undertaken by past and present NZDF service personnel; the casket is lowered into the tomb at the National War Memorial in Buckle St, Wellington; Chief of Defence Force Air Marshal Bruce Ferguson places a rose on top of the casket.

4 Limited Service Volunteers training for life By Judith Martin It s a regime that takes a bit of getting used to out of bed at 5.30am, squeaky clean barracks, uniform neat as a pin, stand to attention, follow orders until 10pm each night. This is the Limited Service Volunteer Scheme, a joint New Zealand Defence Force and Ministry of Social Development training programme that targets young, unemployed job seekers and aims to improve their chances of either finding a job or successfully completing training for employment. While it is run by the NZDF, and the regime is distinctly military, the scheme does not try to make soldiers out of attendees. Nor does it target specific job opportunities. It aims instead to improve the selfdiscipline, self-confidence, motivation and initiative of the young men and women who join its ranks, through intensive training in life skills, outdoor and physical fitness training, communication skills, and health and safety instruction. More than 5500 young people have completed the course since it began just over 11 years ago. Is it working? Latest statistics show that almost 40 percent of trainees have found a job or are training for one within 12 weeks of completing the course. While that figure is lower than that aimed for by the Ministry of Social Development, a recent satisfaction survey conducted by the Ministry shows that more than 80 percent of attendees surveyed reported increased motivation, self-confidence, self-discipline and initiative. Five, six-week long residential LSV courses are held at Burnham Camp in Christchurch each year. A normal day begins at 5.30am, with barracks cleaning and maintenance, drill instruction, physical training, and classroom training in goal-setting, first aid, anger management, drug and alcohol briefs, military law and discipline requirements. Attendees are also taught life skills, such as tenancy rights, budgeting, personal grooming, health and hygiene, and effective communication. The outdoor activities include abseiling, high ropes courses, rock climbing, rafting, and team building exercises. The routine, says LSV Company Commander Major Ian Martyn, comes as something of a culture shock to many of the young people who turn up at Burnham, apprehensive but keen. Initially there s a bit of trepidation, but our staff, by offering encouragement and positive reinforcement, quickly engender the volunteers confidence and enthusiasm for the training. Our attitude towards LSV training is that there are no trainees with strengths and weaknesses, only those with strengths and underdeveloped strengths. It s our job to make them realise what those strengths are, and encourage them to put their strengths to positive use. The course being full-time residential, and held within a military establishment, is fundamental to its success, says Major Martyn. The disciplined environment, wearing a uniform, and identifying with other military personnel has the cumulative effect of the trainees being immersed in our military ethos and culture. The qualities we try to instil are what many employers want of their employees. The feeling of being part of us (the Army) encourages their enthusiasm and output. It does not necessarily follow that trainees will or even want to join the NZDF the course is not designed to be a recruiting tool, although some do join, but the course is more a motivational and life skills programme for young people who are in need. The LSV Company is staffed by 26 tri-service officers and NCOs as well as a couple of civilians. Officers rotate frequently, as the course is used to provide people management skills training for junior officers. Not all trainees make it to March Out day; of an average course of 90 trainees, about ten percent will

5 The qualities we try to instil are what many employers want of their employees... leave on medical grounds, and a similar number for disciplinary reasons. About two or three leave because it is just not for them. About 80 percent of trainees are male, and most come from the North Island. Many have a chequered past, and often come from severely disadvantaged backgrounds, although anyone with convictions for serious crimes, for example, drug offences or serious assault, are not accepted. Ministry of Social Development national contracts advisor Pat Brocklebank says the recent survey of LSV trainees showed that 91 percent of the survey respondents completed the course feeling better able to make changes in their lives. Nearly all of the survey respondents said they were using their time differently since completing the course; they were either keeping fit, trying to live a healthier life, looking for work, or looking for further training. When asked what they enjoyed most, or gained most value from, 96 percent said meeting new people, and 89 percent said motivation and goal setting. It started to feel like home Westport teenager Steven Mann says the hardest part of the LSV course he attended earlier this year was leaving it. I made friends and it just started to feel like home. When the course was completed and we had to leave, I got on a different bus from most of my platoon, who came from the North Island. That was the hardest part for me going in a different direction from the people I d spent the last six weeks with. "I loved the course, and all the challenges, especially the 45km walk around the lakes. After a while you get used to no television, no alcohol, and doing what you re told. A couple of the guys didn t though they started making home brew and got thrown off. That s fair enough I suppose. I got work as soon as I arrived home, trimming hoki at the local fish factory. I m looking for work now I ve definitely got a more positive attitude. Christchurch school leaver Nicholas (not his real name) joined the course on the recommendation of the Youth Court. He had been in and out of trouble for several years, and was a drug user. I wanted to change, and stop doing stupid things. I d been in the court system for a while, and a couple of people recommended the LSV scheme to me. It was a bit of a shock at first, especially being ordered around, and having to control myself when I got frustrated. I got used to it after a couple of weeks though, and really enjoyed the tramping, and things like learning to march. The food was pretty good, too. I ve got a bit of a short fuse, and the scheme taught me to control myself more. I got a full-time job with the local council when I came out. I just went in and applied when it was advertised in the newspaper. The course was strict, but I made lots of good mates, and I m staying out of trouble.

6 Our people Afghanistan When New Zealand Army sergeant Rebecca Savage isn t feeding the forces in the war-torn highlands of Afghanistan, she s manning the gun at the back of a patrol vehicle. Sgt Savage is a member of the 107-strong New Zealand Provincial Reconstruction Team (NZPRT) in Bamyan, Afghanistan, which is undertaking a variety of tasks to encourage stability and reconstruction in a country that until last year had not known peace for several decades. Most recently the New Zealanders helped facilitate presidential elections in Bamyan by providing a security presence, and conducting an information campaign to encourage people to vote. The life women have in Afghanistan has been something of an eye-opener for the former Takaka woman. Women definitely have it good in NZ. Here women and daughters mainly stay indoors, and if they do go outside they must have their face covered. The locals are really friendly, giving and trusting people, just happy to have us here helping them out I think. The children are still very standoffish, which is understandable given what they ve seen and been through. I loved spending time with the children when I was out on patrol- they re very easily amused given that they don t have the toys and games like our kids have back at home. Sgt Savage and a small team of chefs feed the New Zealanders, 15 Americans and about 20 local workers. The chefs also provide extra manning for the patrols, which she says is a great opportunity to see the countryside. It s snowed and rained a couple of times but mostly it s fine and dry with light winds. The death rate over here during winter is extremely high for the elderly and children. The average family will have 11 children but only seven or eight will survive the harsh winters here as winter can have a wind chill factor of -40 deg. Many of the refugees who have come over from Iran have minimal clothing and are still living in tents. Winter is very close. Afghanistan is a beautiful country with so much potential. Hopefully now that the first elections are over and the country finally has their own president, things will only get better. Sgt Rebecca Savage, and local children. Navy ships, Orion exercise Royal New Zealand Navy ships Te Kaha and Endeavour and a Royal New Zealand Air Force P3-K Orion maritime patrol aircraft took part in exercises off the coast of Western Australia this month. One exercise involved Navy Principle Warfare Officers (PWO) final phase of their training and assessment, conducted onboard RAN and RNZN warships in the Western Australian exercise areas. The PWO training tests the war fighting capabilities of the officers and their ability to correctly make decisions under extreme pressure during exercises involving surface, air and sub-surface attacks. Exercises also test the PWO s ability to safely conduct live firings of the ship s weapons in a controlled maritime environment. The exercise was followed by another designed to test the anti-submarine warfare capabilities of the NZ and Australian Air Force. Te Kaha and Endeavour will return to Devonport Naval Base on Saturday December 4, Both ships have been away from NZ on a five-month deployment to Southeast Asia including visits to Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Hong Kong and Philippines representing New Zealand in a variety of operational exercises, activities and Defence diplomacy visits.

7 More NZDF personnel in Solomon Islands Thirty-two NZDF staff have begun a three-month deployment with the Regional Assistance Mission in Solomon Islands. They include a platoon of infantry to conduct general security duties, and a small logistics team to support them. New Zealand recently withdrew forces from Solomon Islands as the Regional Assistance Mission downsized, and now contributes a platoon as scheduled on a multi-national rotation. The New Zealanders have taken over from an Australian platoon, and on departure in three months will hand over to a Fijian platoon. Afghan arms cache destroyed A combined New Zealand and US Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team recovered and destroyed an Afghanistan arms cache recently. A surface to air missile, rocket-propelled grenades, mines, rockets, mortars, machine guns and small arms ammunition were removed from Jalmes Magazine near the town of Gandak, about two hours drive north of the NZPRT base at Bamyan. The munitions were from previous conflicts and were probably controlled by the Mujihadeen or Taliban at different times. They are now believed to belong to a local mullah but he was absent and not authorised to hold such items according to the Afghan Government. The munitions were unguarded and not in good condition but were workable and were taken back to the NZPRT HQ and destroyed by demolition. Waiouru investigation under way Former High Court Judge, Justice David Morris has begun work on the Ministerial Review into allegations of abuse at the Regular Force Cadet School at Waiouru. Defence Minister Mark Burton says that all claims and views raised by former cadets will be evaluated in context, and investigated in a neutral manner. We want to ensure that former cadets and their families who have concerns can air them and be listened to. I encourage anyone who has not yet done so to either ring freephone or mburton@ministers.govt.nz Details of all those who have already contacted my office or the Defence Force will be transferred to Mr Morris, who will contact them directly. David Morris will present his report and any appropriate recommendations to the Defence Minister by 31 March Bosnia soldiers return home Ten New Zealand soldiers have returned home after six months in Bosnia-Herzegovina where they have been working as a Liaison and Observation Team attached to the Stabilisation Force. The soldiers lived as part of the community in Mrkonijic Grad during their deployment, and collected information to help the Stabilisation Force gain a current picture of their area of operations. Air Force exercise in Samoa Twenty RNZAF personnel have been on exercise in Samoa, practising their long-range communication skills. Exercise Tunex Astra was designed to give the Air Force s communications operators and technicians experience in an unfamiliar, tropical environment. Personnel were split into three teams for the exercise, which was held in various locations on Upolu and Savaii islands. Navy ship finds vessel HMNZS Manawanui has found the wreck of the fishing vessel Iron Maiden using towed side scan sonar. The Navy was asked to help find the fishing vessel, which foundered off Cape Reinga in August 2004.

8 IN BRIEF Four commercial fishers believed to have been illegally scuba diving for paua have been caught off the Chatham Islands by a joint Ministry of Fisheries and Royal New Zealand Navy Fisheries Patrol. A fisheries officer in a RNZN Seasprite helicopter off the frigate HMNZS Canterbury spotted the men. They appeared to be scuba diving for paua off Pitt Island, the largest of the Chatham Islands. Diving for paua is legal only with a snorkel. Two fisheries officers in one of the Canterbury s support craft boarded the divers boat and found about 250 kilograms of paua onboard, along with scuba gear. The paua, still alive, were returned to the sea. The catch was potentially worth about $10,000. The divers boat has been seized by the Ministry and impounded on the Chathams. The Joint Kiwi command post exercise held at Ohakea earlier this month provided participants with an excellent opportunity to train in a realistic environment, says exercise director Joint Forces Land Component Commander Brigadier Warren Whiting. The three day exercise involved various scenarios, and drew in components of all three Services. Technology was used to create a real-time battlefield picture to enable information to be transferred consistently and accurately, and to provide a picture of operations to everyone involved, and at the same time. The command post exercise was part of the lead-up to the field training exercise to be held in Hawke s Bay in February-March next year. A real tri-service force will deploy, and will be joined by forces from Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom. The aim of Joint Kiwi 05 is to exercise a New Zealandled, deployed Coalition Task Force in the planning and conduct of joint and combined operations. (Above) Australian Defence Force s Captain Kate Noble and the RNZAF s Flight Lieutenant Mike Billett at the Ohakea command centre, planning exercise Joint Kiwi. THE NEW ZEALAND DEFENCE FORCE: ALL CORNERS OF THE WORLD NZ DEFENCE FORCE OPERATIONS CONTRIBUTIONS TO UN MISSIONS LOCATION DEPLOYED UNMISET Timor Leste 6 UNMIK Kosovo 1 UNTSO Middle East 7 UNAMSIL Sierra Leone 2 UNCMAC Korea 1 CONTRIBUTIONS TO MINE ACTION MISSIONS LOCATION DEPLOYED MADP Mozambique 2 CMAC Cambodia 2 CONTRIBUTIONS TO REGIONAL MISSIONS LOCATION DEPLOYED Regional Assistance Mission Solomon Islands 37 CONTRIBUTIONS TO INTERNATIONAL FORCES LOCATION DEPLOYED SFOR Staff Officers Bosnia 3 ISAF Staff Officers Afghanistan 6 MFO Sinai 27 OEF Staff Officers Afghanistan 2 OEF Provincial Reconstruction Team Afghanistan 107 OEF (RNZAF) The Gulf Region 6 NZ DEFENCE FORCE DEPLOYMENTS LOCATION DEPLOYED HMNZ ships Te Kaha, Endeavour Training and diplomacy Southeast Asia 231 TOTAL DEPLOYED 440