ANNUAL TASMAN TROOP EXCHANGE

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31772, 31 August 1968, Page 12

ANNUAL TASMAN TROOP EXCHANGE

The seventh annual troop exchange between Australia and New Zealand will begin on September 7. The New Zealand troops taking part will leave Christchurch for Rockhampton, Queensland, on September 8. Royal Australian Air Force troop carrying aircraft will bring 142 infantrymen of the 2nd Royal Australian Regiment, and will return with the same number of New Zealanders to take part in Exercise Tasman 7. The New Zealand contingent win consist of a rifle company drawn in the main from the Ist Battalion Depot. Burnham Military Camp. It will be augmented by troops from the Ist Infantry Brigade Group, Auckland. The eontin gent will be commanded by Major J. R. M Barker, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment, of Dunedin.

Nineteen additional New Zealand officers and noncommissioned officers will be attached to the control and umpire organisation during the exercise.

The Australian troops will take part in counter insurgency exercises with New Zealand troops in the Waiouru area, while the New Zealanders in Australia will join the 9th Battalion of the Royal Australian Regiment on a similar operation. The exchange will last *wo weeks, and the return transport will be done by Royal New Zealand Air Force Hercules aircraft

During their stay in New Zealand, the Australians will be shown and taught the Army’s pew shooting technique developed by Captain J. S. Wooster, Royal New Zealand Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, of Rollesiton.