Gurkhas exercise with NZ Army

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 1, Issue 38, 13 March 1984, Page 5

Gurkhas exercise with NZ Army

One hundred and forty five soldiers from 'A' Company 2nd Battalion 2nd King Edward's Own Gurkha Rifles recently underwent training at Paradise Valley, Waiouru, for their part in Exercise 'Northern Safari' which commenced on Great Barrier Island on Saturday 25 February. The Gurkha Company itself will not be required until tomorrow when the field training part of the exercise — which will see the Gurkhas being deployed as , the'enemy' — gets underway. Exercise Northern Safari's aim is to test the capacity of the NZ Army to deploy it's Ready Reaction Force on operations overseas. The exercise will involve about 700 soldiers, including 73 Australian Army engineers, the Gurkhas and unit of the -N.Z. Army. In preparation for the exercise, a contingent of New ^Kealand Army engineers ^Bfpent several months last year upgrading the road between Port Fitzroy and Okiwi on Great Barrier. The island was chosen for the operation because of it's proximity to the mainland which will provide a realistic deployment exercise without having to waste scarce resources travelling unnecessarily long distances. As is normal practice, the Army has sought, and obtained, the consent of private landownerS and government departments to exercise on private and Cr-own Land. In preparation for their part in the exercise, the Gurkha Company, com•inded by 33-year old ajor Yambahadur Gurung, has been camping out at Paradise Valley. They have

been specifically involved in field firing training and then moved to Hopu Camp in Ngaruawahia for adventure training. Although the 'cool' night temperatures in Waiouru have upset the Nepalese Gurkhas — who have come from the British garrison in Hong Kong — Major Yambahadur insists that the Company are cheerful and looking forward to playing an important part in Exercise Northern Safari. Throughout their stay the Gurkhas have been guests of the New Zealand Army. In Waiouru, the Army have enthusiastically helped the Gurkhas and have also taken them on hunting expeditions for wild deer and goats. It is their first visit to New Zealand. The Gurkhas are well renowned jungle fighters and are an integral part of the British Army. They have battalions serving in Brunei and England in addition to Hong Kong where Major Yambahudur's company is based. The Gurkhas form the

largest part of the British military presence on Hong Kong Island and are heavily involved in patrolling the land border with China to prevent illegal immigrants entering Hong Kong. It is also a great source of pride to them that they fought in the Falkland Islands alongside the British regiments. Armed with their distinctive knives — the kukri — which incidentally, have been selling extremely well at Waiouru camp as souvenirs, the Gurkhas are indeed a force to be reckoned with. Major Yambahadur who is considered young to have command of his own Company, trained at the Royal Militaxy Academy, Sandhurst, England. Although Exercise Northern Safari will be fought under 'controlled' conditions, the New Zealand Army will be able to see at first hand the Gurkha soldiers at their best. The result of the 'battle' should be interesting.