NIGHT SIGHT: Wanganui Intermediate School pupil Eden Dalton, 12, is kitted up with the latest in infra-red aiming devices by Territorial soldiers Private Michael Rennie of Gisborne (left) and Pte Peter MacDonald (Auckland).
The soldiers were at the school as part of their preparation for deployment to the Solomon Islands.
Staff Sergeant Tumau Hoggart, who heads the pre-deployment training at Linton army base, said getting the troops into local schools prepared them for the sort of activity they would encounter in the Solomons.
"It's part of the public relations, so if we can get them into schools in Wanganui it will help them later," S/Sgt Hoggart said.
The soldiers head off on a four-month tour of duty in the islands next month and have undergone theory-based training at Linton before coming to Wanganui this week for a taste of the practical side of soldiering.
Most of the contingent are territorial soldiers with a number of regular force soldiers. - John Maslin
PICTURE/STUART MUNRO240609WCSMARMY1
