Territorial soldiers, many from Wanganui, got a taste of urban fighting last weekend.
The men and women of West Coast Company, 5/7 Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment (RNZIR) conducted urban training in Linton Military Camp from July 5 to 7.
The company has two Light Infantry Rifle Platoons, onein Taranaki the other in Manawatu. It also boasts its own Combat Service Support Platoon of drivers, storemen, and cooks. The support soldiers are required to train to the same standards and skills as the infantry.
As an infantry unit, West Coast Company needs to be able to function in an urban or city environment as well as open country such as farmland and close country, the bush or jungle.
5/7 Battalion is an NZDF Reserve unit. Most of its members are either working or studying fulltime and commit to the reserves for roughly one weekend per month. Many members have served on operations in The Solomon Islands, Timor Leste, Afghanistan, Christchurch and other NZDF deployments.
