New Zealand Defence Force
Te Ope Kaatua O Aotearoa

Media Release

23 February 2007

Defence Battlefield Clearance Team Get to Work in Lebanon

New Zealand Defence Force battlefield clearance experts in Southern Lebanon will begin surveying sites and clearing unexploded ordnance today.

The specialist 10 person team arrived in Tyre on February 11 and has spent the past two weeks establishing their base and gaining the in theatre accreditation required to begin work.

Senior National Officer Lieutenant Commander Steve Lenik said he and his team would travel approximately 10km to the east of Tyre today for their first day disarming cluster bombs.

“The team has settled in well and we are now ready to get stuck in and do the job. It’s going to be challenging but it will be worth it to see the Lebanese people moving back into the cleared areas in safety.”

The New Zealand Defence Force contingent led by Lieutenant Commander Lenik includes three Navy Operational Divers and six New Zealand Army Engineers.

The engineers will survey and mark the sites of unexploded ordnance while the Navy divers will use their specialist ordnance disposal skills to disarm and clear munitions.

Commander Joint Forces New Zealand Rear Admiral Jack Steer said the contingent was well suited to the job.

“This deployment to Southern Lebanon allows the NZDF to make a meaningful contribution with a niche capability. I’m sure the work of Lieutenant Commander Lenik and his team will improve living conditions for the Lebanese people and allow them to move through cleared areas with confidence.”

The United Nations estimates that more than one million cluster bombs and other unexploded ordnance remains in Lebanon following the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel in July last year.

The NZDF commitment to Southern Lebanon is for 12 months. The current contingent will be replaced after approximately six months.

ENDS

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