This was the actual scene last week in Waipukurau. Military patrols on the town streets.
No, it wasn’t a coup. Will Foley won the mayoralty fair and square in a peaceful display of democracy. Alex Walker has confirmed that.
But the soldiers were for real. It was just an ‘urban warfare exercise’ by the NZ Defence Force – mission named ‘Exercise Santici’. A far smaller scale and more benign exercise than the battle underway for democracy in American cities.
But we digress.
According to the NZDF, Exercise Santici was intended for Officer Cadets to simulate “a Security and Stability Operation (SASO) environment in the Pacific covered many real-world scenarios officers could come across throughout their careers. It is a crucial exercise that forms part of the NZ Army Commissioning Course, which turns soldiers and civilians into military officers.”
Chief Instructor of the Officer Cadet School of New Zealand, Major Gwyn Macpherson, said the exercise covered urban patrolling, key leadership engagements, locating and neutralising improvised explosive devices (IED), protecting key infrastructure assets and countering enemy forces.
“Carrying out SASO operations is different from the close and open country warfare the Officer Cadets had done up until now,” says Major Macpherson.
“Operating in a different culture overseas requires finesse, especially when working with key community leaders and the local community, where you rely on their goodwill and cooperation to achieve your mission.”
During the exercise, Waipukurau residents saw Officer Cadets patrolling the streets with rifles loaded with blank ammunition. “Patrolling is a way of showing force, demonstrating a commitment to providing security and dissuading enemy forces from openly intimidating the public,” said Major Macpherson.
Sixty personnel from across NZ Army units supported the exercise, including an Explosive Ordnance Disposal detachment, infantry, armoured vehicles including four NZLAV, members of the Female Engagement Team, Military Police and medics from the Joint Support Group, as well as NZ Army chefs.
And then marched off to celebrate Ongaonga’s 150th Anniversary.
