Friendly invasion

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 1, Issue 7, 19 July 1983, Page 8

Friendly invasion

A small task force of American troops has recently arrived in New Zealand and are presently camped near Waiouru.

The Support Group of Task Force 'Rock Steady', comprising about 550 men from the. 1st Battalion of the 19 Infantry Brigade which is part of the 25 Infantry Division based in Hawaii, are here in Waiouru for their "winter training". And they are getting plenty of that . . in the first two weeks since they arrived and established their base camp at Helwan, north of Waiouru, they have experienced five snowfalls and two gales. "Thats what we came for and thats what we're getting" said liaison officer with the group Major Ken Deutsch, "New Zealand sure has turned it on for us" he said as snow fell in Waiouru on American Independence Day — the 4th of July. He explained that the troops that were here on

these winter exercises are normally stationed at the Schofield Barracks 14 kms from Honolulu and Waikiki Beach but in .order to gain experience of winter conditions, have to travel overseas. This cold weather training is necessary, he said, so that they could meet any emergency anywhere and at anytime it arises. Earlier this year they were in Korea and now as part of a reciprocal exchange ^greement within the ANZUS Pact they have come to spend a month in New Zealand. They arrived in two groups in late June, flying into Ohakea on C41 Transports, and will be , leaving on 2 August. During the time they are here they will be exercising and deploying on their own on and around Mount Ruapehu. The New Zealand Army is providing support in the form of transport vehicles, aircraft, rations, tents and other logistic supplies. On 4 July the troops celebrated American dependence with a 'fun d.^B of sport and friendly coi^^ petition after a ceremonial flag raising ceremony and 13-gun salute to honour the first thirteen States of the Union. Traditionally a holiday in the United States when Americans celebrate the occasion with outdoor barbecues and clam-bakes in the northern hemisphere summer, the troops on this exercise nevertheless enjoyed the novelty of Waiouru's sub-zero temperatures and snowfalls. They were all looking forward to their 4-day R & R leave this weekend to see other parts of New Zealand.