New Zealand Defence Force

STORY📰 Few sporting events push the human body like an ironman triathlon. But digging deep is something all too familiar for New Zealand Army medic and ironman athlete Private Caroline Paulsen. “I came back from a NZ Army exercise in Tekapo and thought if I could get through that, then what else can I achieve.” Her most recent achievement is graduating as a medic from our two-and-a-half year trade course, the longest on offer in our Defence Force. Read more ➡️ https://lnkd.in/gUeQHPNg #Force4NZ #NZArmy

STORY📰 From Edinburgh military Tattoos to Gallipoli services and concerts around the world, the opportunity for a full-circle return to Whanganui still stands out as a special occasion for two New Zealand Army Band members. As well as plenty of domestic travel both Private Lisa Crawley and Lance Corporal Jacob Mancer have had the opportunity to experience the world with their bandmates; Edinburgh Military Tattoos, Gallipoli services and concerts in Switzerland, Vanuatu and Australia to name a few. The upcoming run of concerts marks the end of Private Crawley’s second stint with the band, a poignant full-circle moment to finish in Whanganui. Meanwhile, Lance Corporal Mancer isn’t putting down the tenor horn any time soon, and is in fact set to mark the Whanganui concert with a special performance.  “I am very excited to be heading home and playing in the good old Whanganui Opera House. This is very exciting because my family will be attending and supporting me, but also, because I’ll be playing a solo. It’s a piece of music called ‘Enter the Dance’ by Andrea Price, I can’t wait.” ~ Lance Corporal Mancer Read more ➡️ https://lnkd.in/gCkTmkZz #Force4NZ #NZArmy

Ready at all times 🌒 South Island-based Army Reservists from 2/4 Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment recently congregated in Invercargill to train in tactical scenarios by both day and night. Our reservists: ▪️Engaged in battle scenarios, putting MARS-Ls to use ▪️Carried out casualty extractions ▪️Trained on the use of the new in service metal detector with the knowledge of Combat Engineers ▪️Conducted night patrols and room clearances ▪️Sharpened up vehicle dismount procedures during enemy contact “Working alongside different Corps (groups with different capabilities/skill-sets) within our region was an important factor when planning the exercise. We had medics, drivers and engineers attend, and the intention is to continue doing this with future exercises so we can share and build knowledge of each other’s capabilities”. ~ Captain Dion Beker, Officer Commanding Otago Southland Company. #Force4NZ #NZArmy

STORY📰 Our contribution to the Solomon Islands Assistance Force (SIAF) has ended, with four NZDF personnel returning to New Zealand. The SIAF deployed to Honiara in late November 2021 after a request from Solomon Islands Government to support the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force in restoring peace and stability following a period of civil unrest. The contingent has continued to support Solomon Island police to maintain peace and stability, including through community engagement and reassurance. Throughout the operation, our personnel have worked alongside NZ Police, Defence Australia, Australian Federal Police, Republic of Fiji Military Forces, Fiji Police Force and Royal Solomon Islands Police Force personnel. Read more ➡️ https://lnkd.in/gCD_jC3y #Force4NZ

WATCH🎬 Go behind the scenes at Exercise RIMPAC with Combined Task Force 173. #Force4NZ #RIMPAC2024

STORY📰 Fifteen years on from enlisting with our New Zealand Army Band, Staff Sergeant Nicholas Johnson is set to take charge of his first run of concerts in his new position of Bandmaster, starting this week at the Royal Whanganui Opera House. Originally from the United Kingdom, Staff Sergeant Johnson’s musical journey spans more than four decades as a military musician which has taken him all around the world. In his 15 years with the band he’s covered plenty of major events, from Edinburgh Military Tattoos to Anzac Day commemorative services at Gallipoli. “It’s a huge responsibility, but one where you get to experience first-hand how talented, receptive and engaged the musicians are.” Read more ➡️ https://lnkd.in/gTwG6aKc #Force4NZ #NZArmy

Medic Graduation 🩺 Defence Health School celebrated the tri-service graduation of 32 medics at a ceremony at Burnham Military Camp last week. Acting Chief of Navy Commodore Andrew Brown was the reviewing officer for the Gorman and Campbell classes. Our medics are essential in supporting the health of all our personnel in any environment - day to day within at camps and bases, on training exercises in the field, or on overseas deployments. The comprehensive and rigorous Medic course is the longest trade training the Defence Force offers, and it builds knowledge and experience from primary care to trauma response. With medics from across all three services, camps and bases around New Zealand will be welcoming the new graduates in the coming weeks. 📸 CPL S Spivey #Force4NZ

Boots on the ground 🥾 We have a range of Royal New Zealand Air Force personnel from a scope of trades supporting Exercise Pitch Black in Australia this year. So, what’ve our personnel been up to? ⛽️ Our refuellers have been providing support to aircraft from all different nations including these Indonesian F-16 Fighting Falcons 🦺 Our air load team has been shifting huge amounts of supplies, aircraft, and personnel in and out of RAAF Base Darwin 🧑🚒 Our aviation rescue firefighters have been working with international counterparts and maintaining firefighting capabilities out at RAAF Base Amberley, ready for any event 🔧 Our ground support equipment technicians have been hands-on with the RAAF 13 Squadron Mechanical Equipment Operational Maintenance Section to keep the exercise rolling With 20 countries involved, team NZ has been working hard to enable everyone to keep performing smoothly. #Force4NZ #NZAirForce

WATCH🎬 During the sea phase of Exercise RIMPAC, HMNZS Aotearoa conducted a successful Consolidation Replenishment at Sea with the US commercial tanker MV Allied Pacific. #NZNavy #Force4NZ #RIMPAC2024

STORY📰 For the first time, instructors from our Army have participated in the marching out of Republic of Fiji Military Force (RFMF) recruits. Sergeant Andrew Shaw, Corporal Darby Taunoa and Corporal Laura McFadzien took the Platoon Sergeant places for the march out of 192 recruits, performed in front of Fiji’s President, His Excellency Wiliame Katonivere, in Suva last week. Military training is an integral part of our Mutual Assistance Programme, which supports interoperability, standardisation and all arms progression across partner courses between the NZDF and RFMF. “We met as strangers and they now depart as close friends. We often say, ‘ke vakatau vei keitou na lako ke dou sa tiko madaga’, which translates to ‘if it were up to us, we would not let you leave’.” ~ Lieutenant Colonel Jerry Waqanisau, RFMF FTG Commanding Officer Read more ➡️ https://lnkd.in/gnhY-fsc #Force4NZ #NZArmy