Army engineers unite

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 10, Issue 474, 23 February 1993, Page 3

Army engineers unite

Jan

Savell

The Corps of the Royal New Zealand Electrical and Mechanical Engineers got together in a big way last week. For seven days one third of the strength of Police File • Overnight on the 13-14 February, a bridle was stolen from a shed at a Rangataua Road propeiiy. Police enquiries are continuing. • Nothing was apparently stolen in an attempted burglary of a Ruapehu Road house on 17 February. • A 37-year old Ohakune man was arrested on a charge of domestic assault that occurred on 18 February. He appeared in the Wanganui District Court last week. • Police are investigating the burglary of the apres ski lodge in Utuhuia Place, Ohakune. A microwave and stereo were taken in the breakin. • A ski chalet in Lee Street was burgled on 18 February. A microwave was stolen from the premises. • A quantity of paint guns, the property of Ultimate Games, were removed from a utility shed in Rimu Street sometime on the weekend. Enquiries are continuing. • A Police helicopter from Auckland was used to recover several hundred marijuana plants during a drugs recovery programme in the Waimarino last week.

the entire corps was on exercise in Waiouru with their largest wheeled recovery equipment. The M816 recavery vehicle is of Vietnam vintage and only six are operating in New Zealand. Five of the huge machines were operated together by a recovery platoon which consisted of soldiers from the

four NZ Army workshops; 1 Brigade, Waiouru, 1 Base and Force Support Group. Soldiers got the opportunity to revise and practice recovery techniques which are essential for their trade. The complexity and age of the equipment added to the challenge of a variety

of tasks; by night and day, under simulated enemy fire or in a secured position. "Working with this vehicle is more an art than a science," said Major Elgar, Officer Commanding Waiouru Workshops. "Success is largely due to experience and a bit of the

Midas touch. Some just have the knack." The recovery platoon was one part of a four-part Corps Camp which replaced the cancelled Exercise Golden Fleece. Over 150 RNZEME personnel took part, including both territorial and regular force soldiers.