Australian troops arrive

Press, 18 March 1982, Page 2

Australian troops arrive

The last of the contingents of soldiers to take part in the Five Power Defence Arrangment exercise, . Southern Safari 82, arrived in Christchurch yesterday. Two groups of Australian soldiers arrived at Christchurch Airport and will travel to Lake Tekapo for the start of the exercise, on Tuesday. The other countries taking part are Singapore, Malaysia, Britain, and New Zealand. The visiting contingents will join with the 2nd/lst Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment, to make up the “friendly forces" in the exercise. About 1950 troops will be in the field for the duration of the exercise, which is scheduled to end on April 1.

Helicopters, Skyhawks, and Strikemasters of the Royal New Zealand Air Force will be used in the exercise, and an Air Force Andover will be used for ration resupply drops. While the exercise is in progress, the operational flight of the Strikemaster Squadron at Ohakea will work from the Wigram base. Six Strikemasters will be involved in the exercise. Although most of the support for the exercise will come from the 3rd Task Force Region, based in Christchurch, some assistance has been sought from the North Island. About 20 trucks, 10 armoured personnel carriers, and eight or nine other vehicles have been brought

to the South Island especially for the exercise. Camouflage nets and radios have also been brought in for the exercise. About 570 infantrymen from the visiting contingents will join about 870 New Zealand soldiers to face an “enemy" of about 300 other New Zealand soldiers. The aim of the exercise is to develop the capability of soldiers from the countries involved in the arrangment to work together in a land environment. . The exercise is financed by all members taking part, according to the exercise director, Colonel L. G. Williams. Some of the costs had been offset by using soldiers on their annual camps in support roles, he said.