Army Tests Itself to Ensure Readiness

With all guns blazing the New Zealand Army has embarked on one of its biggest exercises of the year at Waiouru Military Camp.

Exercise Alam Halfa involves artillery, gunnery and engineers plus combat support units to train jointly with the Royal New Zealand Air Force, to synchronise effort and resources and show agility and adaptability for future combat environments.

While the New Zealand Defence Force has withdrawn from its major commitments in Afghanistan and Timor Leste it must still maintain a well trained, agile and capable Defence Force.

Ex Alam Halfa 2014 is an essential part of the ongoing and sustained training programme. The exercise will test personnel under a variety of conditions to replicate conflict scenarios.

The exercise scenario involves the troops aiming to restore peace between two fictitious nations Bekara and Alpiria, following on from previous exercises such as Southern Katipo in the South Island last year.

Exercise Alam Halfa takes place each year with involvement from the Royal New Zealand Air Force, and a small group of US Army and US Marines. This year several smaller exercises are being incorporated for efficiency and for individual units to ensure specific training elements are completed.

As well as training at Waiouru troops are also deployed around the Bay of Plenty and - later on - will deploy to Hawkes Bay where the training scenarios will mean they will be more visible to the general public when they conduct street patrols.

Exercise Alam Halfa will conclude at the end of May.

ENDS

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