Hutt Valley Man Continues Anzac Tradition in Queensland

Lance Corporal (LCPL) Gregory Sanford says taking part in a warfighting exercise led by the Australians is good preparation for future joint operations.

A Hutt Valley local, LCPL Sanford is one of five Military Police from the New Zealand Army’s 1 Brigade who have been working with a company of Australian Military Police in the past three weeks as part of Exercise Hamel.

Around 260 New Zealand troops are training alongside 4200 Australian soldiers in the Australian Army’s annual foundation warfighting exercise, which is being held in Townsville in Northern Queensland from 7 July to 1 August.

“It’s been invaluable to see what processing detainees was like in a war scenario and to learn how they do it. I haven’t set up or maintained a detention facility in exercises before so I am lucky to have worked with Australian soldiers who have had operational experience in this,” said LCPL Sanford.

LCPL Sanford joined the Army in 2008 with two of his friends from Hutt Valley High School.

“I joined the Defence Force because I admire people who serve their country and I thought it would also be an interesting career to pursue,” he said.

“Army training is a character building experience and has given me a lot of confidence.”

As well as the knowledge he has gained, LCPL Sanford said he is also going to bring home a wallaby or koala soft-toy for his son Lucas, who turns four on 4 August.

ENDS

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