Training as a platoon in a company context, 54 New Zealand Army Reserve Force soldiers — including several from Timaru — worked in the dense West Coast bush near Maruia.
The goal of the soldiers from Canterbury Company 2/4 Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment, was to combine core infantry fire and movement drills into platoon-sized battle scenarios as they prepare for a major exercise later this month in Tekapo.
The soldiers from Nelson, Blenheim, Christchurch and Timaru spent the two days in the bush, relearning dismounted infantry combat skills as they faced ambushes, patrolling and conducting platoon-sized attacks against an elusive enemy.
Platoon Sergeant Ivan Barclay, a salesman from Timaru, said he enjoyed the weekend as it was his first in the role of a platoon sergeant with a full complement of soldiers to work with.
He had been a member of the NZ Reserve Forces for more than 20 years, starting as a young man when his mother inspired him to join the unit in Kaitaia in the Far North, Sgt Barclay said.
He thanked his wife, Caroline, and family for their support for him attending exercises and training sessions.
Commanding Officer 2/4 Battalion Lieutenant Colonel Gareth Seeds said the battalion was focused on relearning the core infantry battle skills needed to conduct light infantry combat operations.
This was a vital requirement of Plan Anzac, and it was great to see the soldiers and commanders getting back in the close country and putting those skills into action, he said.
"Plan Anzac is the New Zealand Army’s refocus on interoperability with our Australian ally and other regional partners.
"Exercise Ramshead North was a great chance for our young soldiers and commanders to learn how to work again as a fighting team."
It was also a chance for junior officers to practice commanding platoon-sized operations, "especially given the unit’s next field activity is Exercise Ypres, which involves a platoon live field firing exercise in Tekapo".
