NZDF working with Pacific partners to support regional security

From tactical field training in Fiji to fighting illegal fishing on the high seas, the NZDF has been maintaining a steady tempo of activity across the Pacific.

NZ Army conducts mortar firing and tactical field training with partners in Fiji

For the first time in more than 27 years, the New Zealand Army has undertaken 81mm mortar demonstrations as part of Exercise Cartwheel in Fiji.

According to a 22 September report, the tactical field training exercise was an US and Fiji-led multinational exercise conducted in the Nausori Highlands in Fiji and involved defence personnel from the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF), United States Army Pacific, British Army and Australian Defence Force.

Located in the interior of Fiji’s main island Viti Levu, the Nausori Highlands rise to the east of Nadi on the island’s western side.

A total of 55 combat soldiers from 1st (NZ) Brigade in Linton and Burnham participated in the exercise, designed to enhance capability in both urban and jungle environments. Training also included demonstrations of sustained fire machine guns, section attacks and ambushes, reacting to enemy indirect firing and ethical decision-making scenarios.

A light infantry platoon from Delta Company, 2nd/1st Battalion Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment (RNZIR), also conducted reconnaissance operations, section and platoon harbours drills, survival and tracking training. HMNZS Wellington combats illegal, unreported and unregulated Pacific fishing

An NZDF 05 September media release reports that offshore patrol vessel HMNZS Wellington has completed two fishing monitoring operations in the Pacific as New Zealand contributes to the battle against illegal fishing.

Nearly 60 percent of the world’s tuna stocks is fished in the Pacific and the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) believes approximately 192,000 tons of tuna is associated with illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing there each year.

With Ministry for Primary Industry (MPI) officers embarked, HMNZS Wellington and her crew of 60 supported the annual fisheries policing operation, Operation Nasse, for the Pacific Quadrilateral Defence Coordination Group, which includes Australia, France, New Zealand and the United States of America.

The operation involved identifying, hailing and boarding vessels of interest on the high seas of the South West Pacific.

HMNZS Wellington was assisted in its work by a Royal New Zealand Air Force P-3K2 Orion, a United States Coast Guard C-130 Hercules, the French naval patrol vessel BSAOM D’Entrecasteaux patrol ship and a Falcon 200 Gardian aircraft from the French Armed Forces in New Caledonia.

In total, 18 surveillance flights and 14 high seas boardings and inspections were undertaken.

Eight potential compliance issues were identified and these were reported to the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission and the flag states of the vessels.