Infantry skills tested

By Charlene Williamson

Soldiers from Alpha Company 2 nd /1 st Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment have been practising their fundamental military skills on Exercise Alpha Panjwai.

This was the first time Alpha Company have deployed into the field in 2020 due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The exercise provided soldiers with the opportunity to hone their skills at the individual and section level and included the use of the 60mm M6C-640T Light Mortar in a live field firing environment.

The 60mm is an indirect, high angle, muzzle loaded weapon designed for firing high explosive, smoke and illuminating bombs.

Officer Commanding, Alpha Company Major (MAJ) Sam Gouk said the exercise prepared soldiers to progress onto more complex and higher intensity training from the platoon level up. “The skills practised on this exercise set the foundation to conduct combat operations in a mid to high intensity environment.

“The scenarios in the exercise gave junior commanders the opportunity to make decisions on how best to employ the weapon systems they have available and to ensure they are able to seek out and close with the enemy,” he said.