Taupo exercise for Waiouru soldiers

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 14, Issue 672, 4 February 1997, Page 3

Taupo exercise for Waiouru soldiers

Many of Waiouru's soldiers will take part in a major military exercise that is to be con ducted in the Taupo airfield and Lake Taupo Forest area from 12 February to 6 March. Exercise Green Fern 1997 will involve up to 1200 soldiers from Linton and Waiouru based units of the 2nd Land Force Group, together with aircraft and helicopters of the Royal New Zealand Airforce. The aim of the exercise is to practise deployment of the elements of the Army's ready response units and conduct a number of scenarios, including peacekeeping operations, said Captain Evan Williams, public relations officer. The exercise is to be conducted in the area between

Taupo and Turangi. A significant amount of equipment, including armoured vehicles and engineer equipment, will be used to support the exercise. This equipment willdeploy from Waiouru by road around the western side of the lake over the period 20 - 23 February. The majority of the soldiers will deploy from Waiouru to Taupo by Royal New Zealand Airforce Hercules aircraft on 21 and 24 February. Royal New ZealandAirforce helicopters, New Zealand Army armoured personnel carriers and Army trucks will be used to move these troops from the Taupo airport into the exercise area in the Lake Taupo Forest. The soldiers will conduct a number of activities includ-

ing vehicle check points, patrolling and vital point protection. Activities will involve firing blank ammunition and limited battle noise simulation. The majority of the exercising elements will be in the forest area, with the headquarters, the logistics support units and the helicopters, being based around the Taupo airfield. The exercise will end on 4 March when all exercising elements will begin returning by road and air to Linton and Waiouru. All exercise equipment and personnel will be clear of the Taupo area by 6 March. Exercise Green Fem will be the second Land Force Groups' major exercise for the year and will see significant military activity in and around the Taupo area.