Exercise SENIO increases TF skills

12 August 2008

The 7th Wellington and Hawke’s Bay Battalion Group (7 WnHB Bn Gp) recently conducted urban training focusing specifically on house clearance techniques at Dannevirke in the old Dannevirke Hospital. The training was conducted at section and later platoon level culminating in confirmation Battle Handling Exercises (BHE). The weekend was attended by 75 Territorial Force soldiers from Wellington, Gisborne and Napier.

It was the second in a number of weekends which will focus on skills such as Force protection, 3 Block Warfare concepts and Territorial Force METLs. The success of the weekend was reinforced through the loan of equipment from the Combat School, 2 Engineer Regt, and TAD as well as direct on site dental support of the Intermediate Dental Course.

The old hospital provided the soldiers with a realistic multi level training environment including basements, tunnels, stairwells, large and small rooms, in the 2-story ex maternity wing of the hospital. SSgt Wayne Higginson commented that “it was important for the TF soldiers to be comfortable with up to date equipment and TTP’s. Good training opportunities combined with the right kit goes a long way towards achieving training objectives and attracting soldiers to training”.

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