Bushmasters on the horizon

NEXT STEPS ANNOUNCED FOR ARMY PROTECTED MOBILITY

The NZ Army will soon take delivery of a fleet of 43 Bushmaster NZ5.5 vehicles along with training, a desk top simulator, and operational equipment.

The Government has approved funding of $102.9 million for the project.

Getting people safely where they need to be, when they need to be there, is vital to mission success.

Chief of Army’s Army25 Strategy is designed around the Army being a modern, agile, highly adaptive light combat force, and the Bushmasters will be part of that force.

In 2019, Government launched its Defence Capability Plan – part of which signalled a re-equipping of the current NZ Army Pinzgauer fleet with modern, armoured vehicles better suited for an Army where agility is key.

Delivered through the Protected Mobility Capability Project – an integrated project team with staff from the Ministry of Defence and NZ Defence Force – and announced recently by the Minister of Defence, the Australian-built Bushmaster will provide a multipurpose, highly mobile vehicle that provides a high level of protection across multiple environments.

“The versatility of this vehicle will increase the Defence Force’s ability to help our communities during a time of need such as a natural disaster, and contribute to supporting vital peacekeeping operations with our global partners,” said Defence Minister, Ron Mark. Along with wide use in Australia and other Five Eyes nations, the Bushmaster is already in service with New Zealand’s Special Operations Forces. The vehicle’s high levels of blast and ballistic protection makes it suitable for deployment as a troop transport, operating as a command and communication hub, and as a means of evacuating casualties.

The vehicles will be based at Queen Alexandra’s Mounted Rifles (QAMR), in Linton Military camp. Work is underway through the Defence Logistics Command Consolidated Logistics Project to relocate and upgrade the stormwater network in preparation for the construction of new purpose-built maintenance and repair facilities for 2 Workshop Company, which will be capable of supporting the Army’s current and future vehicle fleets, including the new Bushmaster fleet.

This is the second fleet of protected mobility vehicles approved for purchase by the Government. It follows delivery this year of the Polaris MRZR fleet of side by side all-terrain vehicles that were announced last year to replace the quad bikes and other small vehicles used by the New Zealand Army.

Deliveries are expected to commence in late 2022 with the full fleet beginning operational introduction and the fleet workshops being completed from late 2023.

An impression of the new workshop which will support Army vehicles.

Tech Specs

Weight Payload Seating capacity Engine Transmission 17 tonne 5 tonne Up to 10 personnel depending on variant Caterpillar C3126e in-line 6-cylinder 7.2 litre turbocharged diesel engine ZF Automatic 6HP502 ECOMAT G2

Wheels fitted with run flats which enable the vehicle to continue moving after loss of air pressure. Fitted with a Central Tyre Inflation System to improve cross country mobility.

Vehicle design and construction material provide protection against attacks from ballistic and blast weapons. Capable of carrying a machine gun and military communications systems. Some vehicles will be fitted with self-recovery winches, while others will have an auxiliary power unit to provide electrical power when the engine is not operating.

CHAPEL GETS ITS VOICE BACK

Are you looking for a new challenge?

As part of 1 NZSAS Regt, Support Enablers are the personnel tasked with supporting capability through specialist logistical, medical, signals and intelligence input throughout the full spectrum of operations.

As logisticians, medics, signalers and intelligence analysts our goals are to enhance, enable and empower 1 NZSAS Regt by increasing capability depth through specialist knowledge in all combat support areas ranging from the front lines through to sustaining operations.

Our selection is made up of a two week package called Support Enabler Special Operations Training (SESOT) and is designed to test and integrate all enablers into the Special Operations family. It is mentally and physically rewarding and the friends you make are for life. additional names of engineers who

One hundred and twenty three years ago, an ornately carved reed organ was shipped from Canada to take up residence in the small country St Martin’s chapel of Makotuku in Southern Hawke’s Bay.

As time passed and the township gradually reduced in size to just a few houses, the organ and church parted ways. The church was gifted by the Parish to the Royal New Zealand Engineers Memorial at Linton Military Camp and was re-built by 2 Field Squadron and opened by Lieutenant Colonel Lindell in July 1974. The organ found a new home at the Dannevirke Museum.

Fast-forward almost three decades to when Rob and Gail Leach wandered into a second hand furniture dealers in Dannevirke in 2002 and stumbled across the organ. They had been searching for something like it for many years, so they bought it and then set about extensively restoring it and painstakingly researching its On Friday July 3 rd the organ was officially rededicated back into St Martin’s Chapel at Linton after being donated to its spiritual home by Mr Leach.

“I am delighted to pass custodianship to you as I know that it will be looked after in perpetuity and respected for what it is,” said Mr Leach.

“Not only has the organ found a worthwhile custodian for the future but it also is reunited with its original home.”

At the same time the organ was rededicated, the WW1 Roles of Honour that have been hanging in Linton Community School were transferred to the Chapel and extensive heritage.

have died while serving have been recorded on a new brass plaque.

Renowned New Zealand organist and composer Mr Roy Tankersley played the organ during the rededication and its rich sounds welcomingly filled the chapel after so many years.

Left: Mr Rob Leach with the restored organ in its new home.

1NZSAS Regt Support Enablers

To express interest in becoming a 1 NZSAS Regt Support Enabler, please: • submit an AFNZ49 with the posting preference to Support Squadron, 1 NZSAS

Regt through your CoC to DACM. • Ensure that you are physically fit and deployable as well as a trusted team player.

Any questions you may have on SESOT, what a support enabler does or what it is like living in Auckland can be sent to SASRec@nzdf.mil.nz and someone will get back to you.