Media Release

Tuesday 30 May 2006
Company Make Preparations for Move

The wake up call sounded at 4.30 this morning for the 124 New Zealand solders preparing to head into Timor Leste.

In Townsville for the past two days, the contingent and their equipment are now onboard two Royal New Zealand Air Force aircraft bound for Darwin.

Since arriving in Australia, the troops from 2/1 Battalion in Christchurch have been undergoing vital preparations for their deployment to Dili.

Yesterday was spent in the fierce Queensland heat training on the weapons range. There’s been no fog in Townsville and the temperatures are far closer to the Timor climate than Canterbury’s.

Weighed down by body armour, yesterday’s session on the range allowed the soldiers to train with equipment they don’t often use.

“It’s good to get out there and sweat it out,” said Corporal Geoffrey Smith.

For the Company’s commander, Major Eugene Whakahoehoe the time in Townsville has been crucial.

“The training we’ve been doing here is making sure we are thoroughly prepared,” said Major Whakahoehoe.

The RNZAF C-130 Hercules and B757 are due to land mid-afternoon in Darwin (local time), where the contingent will make their final preparations before getting the green light to move in to Dili

ENDS

http://www.nzdf.mil.nz/operations/deployments/east-timor/default.htm

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