NZ Army Gunners from 16th Field Regiment, Royal Regiment of New Zealand Artillery during a mortar live firing exercise in Waiouru as part of preparation for a trip to Papua New Guinea. Photo / Corporal Naomi James, NZ Defence Force
NZ Army Gunners from 16th Field Regiment, Royal Regiment of New Zealand Artillery during a mortar live firing exercise in Waiouru as part of preparation for a trip to Papua New Guinea. Photo / Corporal Naomi James, NZ Defence Force
The New Zealand Army is gearing up for a significant exercise in Papua New Guinea this month.
A training team from the 16th Field Regiment, which is usually based out of Linton Army Camp, is currently en route to Papua New Guinea to deliver mortar handling training to the localDefence Force.
The training would culminate with a live fire exercise, the NZ Defence Force said.
In turn, the Papua New Guinea Defence Force would deliver jungle training to the NZ Army gunners.
It will be the first time the 16th Field Regiment will have the opportunity to train alongside the Papua New Guinea partners.
Commanding Officer of 16th Field Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Brent Morris, welcomed the chance for this type of “reciprocal training activity”.
“This is a great opportunity for our officers and soldiers to deliver effective training to a partner nation, and to learn from them in their own areas of expertise,” Morris said.
“Jungle operations are an area PNGDF excel at and we are excited to receive training from their instructors.”
Before the overseas exercise, New Zealand Army gunners from 16th Field Regiment, Royal Regiment of New Zealand Artillery (RNZA) conducted a mortar live firing exercise in the Waiouru Military Training Area.
As part of the exercise in Waiouru, the 16th Field Regiment ran through a mortar handling scenario by day and by night to get validated and confirm they are ready to deliver the training in Papua New Guinea.
Morris said it was a big mission to get the personnel and equipment transported overseas and required working with logistics and RNZAF counterparts.
“Deploying a large contingent and a considerable amount of freight means multiple C-130J-30 Hercules flights.
“Once we’re on the ground at Port Moresby we will be supported by the Papua New Guinea Defence Force,” said Morris.
Image 1 of 5: Ahead of an exercise in Papua New Guinea, New Zealand Army gunners from 16th Field Regiment, Royal Regiment of New Zealand Artillery conducted a mortar live firing exercise in Waiouru. Photo / New Zealand Defence Force
He said the dynamic security situation in the wider Pacific region highlighted the importance of working alongside partners.
“The PNGDF and the New Zealand Army are both focused on warfighting and opportunities like these, where we enhance each other’s warfighting capability, are vital in maintaining that focus.”
