One thousand Defence Force personnel will deploy to Timaru and Oamaru for Exercise Southern Katipo this month.
Exercise Southern Katipo will be conducted over the period 21 February to 10 March and will include a large number of Army vehicles (including LAV) the Navy’s HMNZS CANTERBURY and Airforce C130’s.
The exercise scenario is set in a stability and support operational environment that aims to test the Defence Force’s ability to react to short notice deployments.
Stability and Support operations are conducted when assistance is needed to help stabilise a foreign nation. Operations that are undertaken can include the protected evacuation of New Zealand nationals, disruption of insurgent and criminal groups and provision of Humanitarian aid.
Defence Force personnel will be carrying weapons during the exercise and will use blank ammunition for some exercise activities.
Media are invited to visit Exercise Southern Katipo throughout. The following activities and dates are recommended:
22 to 24 Feb – HMNZS CANTERBURY will dock at the Timaru port to offload vehicles and soldiers. Media are invited to visit the ship and speak to sailors/soldiers at the port. There will also be a number of activities as part of the exercise scenario happening around the port area. Media are invited to attend these activities.
24 Feb – An Army LAV Combined Arms Task Group will be in the vicinity of the Timaru Airport. Media are invited to visit this unit and watch exercise activities. Interview with Army commanders will be available on request.
27 Feb – A non-combatant evacuation exercise will be conducted in the Oamaru town and surrounding area. This will involve a large number of Army personnel and vehicles.
03 Mar – A cordon and search operation will be conducted in the Oamaru region. This will involve a large number of Army personnel and vehicles.
There are additional opportunities throughout the exercise to visit the many units taking part. Interviews with the exercise commander are also available on request.
The NZDF trains for a wide spectrum of operational environments. Support to Stability and Support operations is only one of the many skills required by the NZDF to be a highly mobile force able to deploy in short time frames.
NZDF
