War-fighting and new Bushmasters key focus for new QAMR commander

2025 is shaping up to be a significant one for the Army’s Queen Alexandra’s Mounted Rifles Regiment (QAMR) as it prepares new armoured vehicles for operations and eyes two warfighting exercises in Australia.

The Linton-based QAMR is the oldest Regular Force unit in the NZ Army and its sole armoured unit. Primarily equipped with the New Zealand Light Armoured Vehicle (NZLAV), it is currently introducing into service its new Australian made 11 tonne Bushmaster four-wheel-drive armoured vehicle.

According to the NZDF, Lieutenant Colonel Caleb Berry, who has recently taken over as QAMR’s new commanding officer, has been part of the project that introduced the Bushmasters and

LTCOL Berry deployed as a 25-year-old patrol commander to Afghanistan in 2012 where he fought in the Battle of Baghak, and he led a training sub-unit in Iraq in 2017/18.

He said he wanted to train, mentor and develop combat-focused and inspiring leaders within the unit.

“Everything we do will be linked to enhancing lethality and our combat effectiveness and survivability on the battlefield,” he explained.

The Bushmaster would be key, Lieutenant Colonel Berry said.

“In 2025 we’ll be introducing them into active service, and we’ll need to do that while maintaining our warfighting culture within the regiment.

“As the sole armoured unit in the NZ Army we hold the expertise for mounted combat, noting that the wider NZ Army is on a journey towards greater motorisation too.

“What this means is that infantry soldiers and commanders should be proficient in operating from and working with armoured vehicles.

“We’re fortunate that we have some great exercises coming up over in Australia in 2025 that will really test us in this space, and allow us to really push our capabilities alongside our partners.”

As part of Exercises Diamond Strike and Talisman Sabre, QAMR’s combat team will integrate with infantry from 1st Battalion Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment, artillery gunners from 16th Field Regiment and sappers from 2 Engineer Regiment.

It will operate as part of Australia’s 7th Brigade, which will conduct both defensive and offensive tasks.

LTCOL Berry said he was also acutely aware of the importance of protecting his people.

“Combat is a brutal experience to go through, the decisions we make as leaders can ultimately result in our soldiers being killed or wounded,” he said. “So the onus is on us to be the best that we can be, to reduce that risk and look after our people as much as possible.

“And it’s more than just the personnel themselves, it’s the families and friends at home who also sacrifice so much in support of our people’s service. That is the burden of command,” LTCOL Berry said.