Month test for Army

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 239, 12 April 1988, Page 5

Month test for Army

For 27 days in January and February 1989 the New Zealand Defence Forces will conduct the largest exercise held in the country in 20 years. The exercise, codenamed 'Golden Fleece' is designed to exercise the deployable forces which are the Army's specific responsibility, within a scenario which requires the support of elements of the Navy and Air Force deployed together as a joint force. The outline scenario for the exercise envisages the small island state of "Colchis" (the site of the mythical Golden Fleece) situated to the north of New Zealand and having defence ties with both New Zealand and Australia. A portion of the cen-j tral North Island will play the part of the island of Colchis. The northern part of Colchis - the area of operations for the New: Zealand forces, is sited between Taupo and Napier and roughlyj centred on Rangitaiki. THE SCENARIO: The Government of Colchis has suffered from thei effects of dissident elements within the country who have declare an alternative administration. "Musoria", a nonregional power, supports the dissidents and lands an intervention force to bolster the radicals and to provide military training. The Colchis Government appeals to Australia and New Zealand for assistance and combined maritime forces are deployed to prevent the infiltration of further Musorian forces. The Musorian and dissident forces withdraw into the rural areas of the island to avoid military defeat while international pressure is orchestrated by Musoria to recognise the alternative administration. The Colchian Defence Forces are able only to contain, rather than defeat the Musorian forces. Subsequently, in August 1988 the New Zealand, Australian and Colchian governments announce that initiatives will be taken on the diplomatic, financial and military fronts to re-establish the situation prior to the Musorian intervention. The three governments jointly state that unless the pre-intervention situation is restored by January 1989 then New Zealand and Australian forces will be deployed to the island to assist the Colchis Government in restoring control over its territory. However, the Musori-

ans remain intractable and in mid-January 1989 the three governments are obliged to direct their deployable forces to undertake counter-intervention operations in Colchis. In a novel move the New Zealand Army's Ready Reaction Force will deploy to the exercise by ship. Negotiations are under way by the army, to hire a vessel which will land troops, vehicles and stores through the Port of Napier. The Royal New Zealand Air Force will play a major role throughout the exercise. A large proportion of both personnel and material will be moved to

and from the theatre of operations by the Air Force. In addition it will be required to carry out numerous resupply and operational missions within the New Zealand area of operations using both rotary and fixed wing aircraft. In addition to military units it is expected that the New Zealand Red Cross, the police force, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other Government departments and agencies will be involved in the exercise. It is also expected that contingents from several overseas countries will participate in all phases of the exercise.

The initial deployments to Colchis will begin on 22 January 1989. These will continue until 17 February when the final elements of the Force complete their parts of the exercise and return to their home locations. Although the exercise will last for 27 days, both exercise and unit staffs have been preparing all aspects of the deployment for many months. Initial concepts, ideas and possible scenarios were formulated in January 1987. A full joint exercise planning staff was formed in January this year. Their job will be to complete detailed

planning and preparations for the exercise. Exercise Golden Fleece is a major undertaking and will seriously test the ability of the armed forces to undertake the kinds of roles considered likely by the New Zealand Government as outlincd in the 1987 Defence Review.