The New Zealand Army has undertaken a major training operation from the Waitaki Valley and across to Central Otago this week. Operation Jaffa, involving more than 120 personnel, will continue until June 5. Otago Daily Times journalist Matthew Haggart was attached to 13 Troop of Queen Alexandra's Mounted Rifles squadron as they put their land armoured vehicles through several missions during a two-day stretch from Luggate to Cromwell.
New Zealand's top army brass visited Cromwell yesterday to observe a major operation being held in Central Otago to prepare troops for deployment overseas.
Major-general Rhys Jones, Chief of the New Zealand Army, and his top soldier, the Sergeant-major of the army, Warrant Officer Class I Alan Cunningham, visited several troop units taking part in Operation Jaffa.
Maj-gen Jones was appointed to the top job in the army on May 1, from his previous role as the commanding officer of New Zealand's joint forces.
Visiting the troops and dealing with soldiers on the ground at an operational level was one of the best parts of his job, Maj-gen Jones told the Otago Daily Times.
More than 120 personnel are taking part in the two-week operation, which involves simulated conflict experiences and flashpoint situations around the towns and countryside of Central Otago and the Waitaki Valley.
"It is about maintaining our high professional standards and preparing ourselves for duties.
Our soldiers are deployed to areas such as Afghanistan.
These kind of operations help them prepare for the conditions and situations they will face."
The commanding officer of Queen Alexandra's Mounted Rifles (QAMR), Major Sholto Stephens, said he had chosen Central Otago as an operations base because of the area's mountainous terrain and cold winter temperatures.
QAMR troops, from the Burnham Military Base, near Christchurch, make up about a fifth of the total exercise personnel.
Force numbers have been supplemented by infantry units, signallers, snipers, intelligence officers and capabilities staff.
QAMR land armoured vehicle units have been involved in tasks, such as protecting key infrastructure (bridges, dams), identifying service needs for township populations (sewage, water, electricity and hospitals), and supplying operational support to security forces (police and United Nations).
The army operation continues in Central Otago until Friday, June 5.
• Operation Jaffa
Involved: More than 120 personnel, including LAV crew, signallers, intelligence officers, sniper units and infantry units.
Duration: Two weeks (May 24 until June 5).
Location: Upper Waitaki Valley, through Lindis Pass and around Central Otago, including St Bathans, Cromwell, Luggate, Nevis Valley, and across to the Maniototo.
Named: After a World War 1 battle in the Middle East.
Scenario: The New Zealand Army has been requested to provide support to a war-torn country, struggling to maintain law and order. Insurgent forces have received assistance from a neighbouring country with mountainous borders.
