Brothers In Arm

The mountains and tropical valleys of Fiji’s Nausori Highlands provided the ideal grounds for jungle warfare and weapons training during Exercise Cartwheel 23.

A contingent of 92 New Zealand Army personnel took part in the annual bilateral exercise, led by the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) and US Army Pacific.

Major Michael Doughty, the NZ Army’s senior national officer on the ground, said the aim was to build light infantry and combat-support skills, while improving interoperability between nations.

He said this year’s training expanded on what the NZ Army delivered during Exercise Cartwheel 22.

“Last year we demonstrated the use of 81-millimetre mortars and sustained fire machine guns, but there was no formal course for the RFMF soldiers,” he said.

“This year, we’ve been providing courses for Fiji personnel, which means they’re receiving the same training as we do in these weapons systems. Our personnel from the 1st Battalion Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment and 16th Field Regiment delivered a Mortar Handlers course and a Heavy Machine Gun course, for 3rd Battalion of Fiji Infantry Regiment students.”

New Zealand Army and Republic of Fiji Military Forces personnel work together in the Nausori Highlands during Exercise Cartwheel 23. Photos: NZDF

Exercise Cartwheel 23 

Exercise Cartwheel 23 comes after the NZ and Fiji governments signed a Status of Forces Agreement in June, to further strengthen the two nations’ defence relationship. This will come into effect in the coming months.

“A secure, stable and resilient Pacific region benefits us all, and the NZDF is committed to supporting efforts to maintain that environment,” Major Doughty said.

Exercise Cartwheel 23 ran from 3-25 September.

Source: NZDF