Exercise 'Modetrain' goes well

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 9, Issue 422, 4 February 1992, Page 3

Exercise 'Modetrain' goes well

byjohowie Two-and-a-half thousand Territorial soldiers from the New Zealand Army's 1 Brigade are halfway through their Annual Field Exercise (AFE) in the Waiouru training area. The Territorial units which make up 1 Brigade are from throughout New Zealand, and there are also some Vanuatu servicemen present. The exercise has been designed to enable the participants to carry out realistic and challenging training. The weather has been good for the first week of the AFE which has allowed the units to do their own build-up training for larger scale activities planned for the second week. Staff on 1 ferigade Headquarters said it is

one ot the tew chances Territorials get to experience soldiering skills

for a solid two-week period. Even though territorial numbers have

been reduced and recruiting numbers have been cut it's been good for soldiers to see how the Brigade operates. One problem territorials face today in times of economic hardship is being able to get time off work to attend training. Major Mike Vicory said in Timaru their unit has been trialing block training. Instead of three training weekends during the year it seemed more effective to have a five-day block training period. He said it was cost effective, enhanced quality training time,

and territorials found it easier to be released from work to retain their efficiency over 20 days. Headquarters also said Waiouru is the best suited training area for ' this size exercise. There is no other area in New Zealand that can exercise all the elements of 1 Brigade. That includes, access to aerodromes for flight support, involvement oi armoured vehicles, and the large area of training ground that offers all weathers and terrain in . the same day. AFE will finish on 9 February.