A mortar detachment puts theory into practice at the Nausori Highlands Training Area during Exercise Cartwheel. Photo: NZDF
Nearly 50 New Zealand Army personnel have returned from Fiji following a week of mortar and machine gun tactical training exercises.
Exercise Cartwheel is an annual Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) -US Army Pacific bilateral exercise designed to train, assess and build light infantry and combat support warfighting capability.
Fiji and the US are the main participants, while partner nations like Australia and the United Kingdom also regularly take part, with the NZ Army involved the last three times.
NZ defence force personnel recalls military exercise in Fiji
Exercise Cartwheel involved soldiers from 16th Field Regiment, Royal Regiment of New Zealand Artillery and 1st Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment delivering training courses to RFMF personnel, to further build their 81mm mortar and sustained-fire machine gun capabilities.
The exercise included a live fire exercise in the Nausori Highlands, which allowed the two forces to work together in a jungle warfare environment.
Commanding Officer of the 3rd Battalion Fiji Infantry Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Atunaisa Vakatale, said the exercise marks another milestone in the defence partnership of Fiji and New Zealand, and reflects the understanding, trust and shared vision between both armies.
Exercise Cartwheel is a valuable opportunity for NZ Army soldiers and RFMF personnel to spend time together in field conditions. Photo: NZDF
"It also highlights the successful transfer of knowledge and skills, and the completion of training objectives that immensely contributes to the readiness and capabilities of both forces," Vakatale said.
"I am certain the training activities over the past three weeks have not only further enhanced our cooperation and interoperability, but it has also set the conditions for more people-to-people connections and networking amongst our troops."
New Zealand Brigade Commander, Colonel Ben Bagley, was in Fiji for part of the exercise.
"Getting the opportunity to link up with our partners for these exercises in the field is critical for our relationships in the region, because fundamentally we - Ngāti Tūmatauenga, the New Zealand Army - are from, and of the Pacific," he said.
"What happens here is of huge significance to us all."
A soldier from 16th Field Regiment, Royal Regiment of New Zealand Artillery performing a haka at the Exercise Cartwheel closing ceremony. Photo: NZDF
Bagley said the feedback they get from the RFMF has always been positive around this exercise, and New Zealand also values the opportunity to come and learn.
"Purely on a tactical and technical level, any opportunity to get our soldiers into the field and put their skills into practice is fantastic, but Exercise Cartwheel is much more than just that," he said.
"It allows us to spend some valuable time with one of our key Pacific partners in the RFMF and enhance our interoperability."