TF Personnel Test Their Skills

By Private Jamie Clearwater

Territorial Force (TF) personnel from Otago/Southland and Canterbury districts were integrated into B company, 2/1 Battalion for a week of Company and Platoon level operations during Exercise Saladin.

Part of Army Exercise Saladin 2010 - a TF and RF Exercise in Central Otago for 2/1 Battalion from Army Base Burnham (AW-10-0721-1).

To many of the TF soldiers, the hardships and successes of the week were a brand new experience. From first hearing the hissing roar of an M72 SRAAW striking out at an unfortunate target, to suppressing an admiring grin at B Company’s OC during his fiery speeches, each and every soldier from the part-time contingent returned home with new and valuable experience.

As most exercises do, Saladin started with a long ride in a Unimog. More than 30 TF infantrymen made the journey from Dunedin, Christchurch and various South Island districts to Tekapo to begin preparations for the week of platoon and company level assault training. Despite a dire weather forecast, the weekend of platoon operations concluded before the rain descended and with a new sense of unit cohesion, the newly formed 6 platoon, B Company moved into the first phase of exercise Saladin - 4 days of live fire advance to contact training in North Otago.

The first few raindrops held off until B Company was mounted and moving to its area of operation, a steep sided river valley around 40 kilometres from Naseby. This slight drizzle would develop into a rainstorm that persisted throughout the first phase and would prove a challenge to all involved. For B Company, it was enduring 4 days of wet and cold while avoiding injury long enough to make it 'over the hill'. 'The hill' was 4 kilometres of winding, uphill pack marching, from the base of the valley to the top of a saddle, which for three days had obscured from view. Overall, the riflemen of 6 platoon had mixed experiences of the 28 kilometre move from the drop off point to the apex of the saddle. For some it was excellent revision of the skills and techniques that are employed daily in a field environment, while for others it highlighted the need for further personal improvement.

The transition into phase 2 of Saladin saw 6 platoon return to Tekapo Military Camp. Rehearsals began for the last of the planned activities for the week - a deliberate company attack on a fixed defensive position.

The snow that fell as 6 platoon practised trench clearing was thick on the ground when B and D companies debussed in the vicinity of Tekapo power station early on Saturday morning. Dawn saw D company advancing over the ridge and toward its designated target. B Company remained, individual soldiers black against the snow, waiting for the command to move. The distinctive beat of the LAV cannon and the steady pattern of mortar rounds could be heard from 6 platoon's position.

When the call came B Company quickly moved into position and advanced toward the enemy pits. 6 platoon's attack was over quickly, with the enemy position neutralised by a decent amount of high explosive. After a rapid reorganisation, a demonstration of the anti-tank prowess of the Javelin missile and a short ride back to Tekapo Camp, final administration signalled the end of Exercise Saladin.

One of the drawing points of field work is the chance to form solid mateship that only comes from shared adversity. This, along with the opportunity to test themselves, and to refine their skills with the light infantry of 2/1 battalion, made Exercise Saladin a truly unique experience for the TF participants.