COMBAT SERVICE SUPPORT TRAINING TESTED DURING EXERCISE CLIFTON’S RUN

Exercise Clifton’s Run is the field testing phase conducted by Logistic Operations School (LOS) for RNZALR Young Officers and top of trade courses for Combat Driver, Maintenance Support, and Logistics Specialist.

This is the first year the exercise has been amalgamated under one exercise construct. The exercise used a Combat Service Support Team (CSST) to deploy into Waiouru Military Training Area (WMTA) between 14–23 August, which enabled the testing of fifteen RNZALR SGTs and 2LTs in their Platoon SGT and Platoon Commander roles respectively.

1 (NZ) Brigade provided personnel and equipment to constitute the platoons for each trade and a CSST HQ. LOS provided Exercise Control (EXCON) and Directing Staff, with supplementation from 1 (NZ) Bde to facilitate the testing of students in the field.

The exercise scenario was a CSST supporting a notional NZ Task Group conducting Rear Area Security Operations versus an insurgent enemy with limited resources as part of an ANZAC Task Force. This allows for a threat picture for students to plan against, whilst retaining the focus of their testing on the deployment and establishment of CSS elements in the field. As the exercise progressed enemy activity increased and students had to balance trade production demands while maintaining their platoon security. As the NZ Army regenerates there is a constant need to maximise benefits and opportunities from limited resources, and Ex Clifton’s Run represents one of these opportunities. The primary purpose was to provide an assessment medium for 2LTs and SGTs but it also provided valuable field experience to all participants. This included off road driving, managing field operations, communicating effectively through tactical means and developing an agile approach to adapt to constantly changing threat and environmental conditions.

Overall the exercise was a success for Logistics Operations School as an assessment medium but also for the broader RNZALR. Students, both 2LTs and SGTs, acknowledged the benefits of training in an amalgamated environment which promoted peer learning and a diversity of perspective that enhanced previous separate course exercises.