1200 for Southern Safari exercise

Press, 18 February 1983, Page 3

1200 for Southern Safari exercise

About 1200 New Zealand, Australian, and Gurkha soldiers will converge on the Army's Tekapo training area in. the next fortnight to take part in a battalion group exercise. Southern Safari is the main annual exercise for the Burnham-based 2nd/lst Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment, and brings together other units in support of the battalion. This year the participants will not be from such varied backgrounds as Southern Safari 'B2 which was held under the auspices of the Five Power Defence Arrangement. Soldiers of D Company of the 2nd/7th Duke of Edinburgh's Own Gurkha Rifles, based in Hong Kong, will take part and include in their numbers a 16-str.ong pipe and drum band. The rest of the contingent consists of two British officers, four Gurkha officers, seven non-commis-sioned officers, and 117 other ranks About 120 soldiers of 107 Battery, 4 Field Regiment. Royal Australian Artillery, will also take part in the exercise. The units are in New Zealand for about a month as part of a Regular Force exchange with the New Zealand Army, called Tasman Exchange. The two-sided exercise is scheduled to run from March 7 to 17, according to the exercise co-ordinator. Major B. J. L. Hewitt, who said that it was designed to practice withdrawal in the face of enemy pressure. This would take place over about 40km in open country to the east of Lake Pukaki. "The units will practice getting out of the enemy’s grip, and moving back to consolidate before hitting the enemy again." said Major Hewitt. The exercise will be commanded by Colonel L. G. Williams, commander of the 3rd Task Force Region. The brigade headquarters, administration, and logistics of the exercise will be centred on the Tekapo camp with all operational units out in the field. Helicopter support will be provided by 3 Squadron of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, flying Iroquois helicopters. while simulated air strikes will be provided by the Skyhawk aircraft of 75 Squadron. The scenario for the exercise is yet to be determined. The battalion commander will receive his orders on the day the exercise begins. • There will be a lot of movement of soldiers to Tekapo in the days before the exercise begins.