Waiouru hosts biggest exercise

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 11, Issue 513, 23 November 1993, Page 3

Waiouru hosts biggest exercise

The New Zealand Army's largest ever training exercise, Takrouna, finished last week after eight days. There were 2300 people involved in the exercise including a company of Malaysian soldiers from the Royal Malay Regiment, an infantry battalion from Burnham in the 'South Island, as well as one from Linton near Palmerston North and a company from the Officer Cadet School at Waiouru. Exercise Takrouna was originally run by the Officer Cadet School but this year saw the enormous leap in size integrate the Army's North and South Island contingents. It was also an historical first to have the 2nd/ lst Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment from

Burnham exercising along side the lst RNZIR from Linton. Prior to 1989 the lst Battalion was based in Singapore. The exercise has been hailed by all as a success under very demanding circumstances. Despite having over 2000 people in the field and at times using live ammunition, no accidents were reported and costs were kept to a minimum, . said spokesman, Maj John Skilton from 2 Land Force Group, Linton. The poor weather conditions did however take their toll with over 40 cases of

hypothermia being treated. The Air Force also played a pivotal role in Exercise T akrouna providing people at Headquarters level as

well as helicopters, Skyhawks, Macchis, acting as enemy aircraft, and an Andover to perform practice medical evacuations.