CA on operation Burnham

A MESSAGE FROM CHIEF OF ARMY

This time last year I visited all the camps and bases to brief on our strategy, ARMY25. I presented: against the four pillars of People, Information, Capability Enhancement, and Relationships; the key initiatives we were putting in place and the outcomes we were seeking. All aimed at ensuring we continued to work towards becoming a modern, agile, highly adaptive, light combat force.

At its core, ARMY25 captures our change strategy for the next five years. It is fully aligned to the outputs required of us by government and it enables us to both meet the demands of the current operating environment and prepare for the future fight. The strategy remains ‘fit for purpose’ and it is starting to produce results. Let me hit some of the key points.

In the People space our Force Design Project is nearing completion and we are close to confirming for all Army units: by rank, trade and paraline; where we need to prioritise our 2025 funded growth, Regular Force and Reserves, to deliver on both current outputs and introduce into service a range of new capabilities, equipment and vehicles. It also provides us with a blueprint for what the Army of 6000 by 2035, as described in the Defence Capability Plan, could look like.

Against the Information pillar Army remains fully aligned to developments occurring at defence level regarding the wider information environment and, in particular, those that are integral to the range of capabilities and systems we will shortly bring into service as part of the Networked Enabled Army project. The NEA team really has got us to a great position to not only prepare individuals and teams to receive, manage and analyse large qualities of information, but better understand how to fight information. Progress with the establishment of a Mission Command Training Facility is an important enabler. This theme is going to gain real momentum in the next 12–24 months and, other than operations, will remain Army’s main effort for the short-medium term. Capability Enhancements, including infrastructure developments, are really starting to gain traction. NEA Tranche 1 will be completed by the end of this year whilst Tranche 2 has now commenced. We have seen the delivery of the Polaris and announcement of Bushmaster, the new uniform is being rolled out, and we are close to signing off a soldier system blueprint against which we will clothe and equip the force. On the infrastructure front work is already underway in a number of critical areas, and recent announcements, particularly those associated with the Consolidated Logistics Project, continue to enhance the Army estate.

While the current Covid environment has placed pressure on our engagement with partners and allies, it has provided an opportunity to continue to enhance our Relationships at both community and national level. And, as we continue to manage the challenges of Covid, this is likely to remain our immediate focus. Army will lean into this as required – it is becoming very clear that we have a critical role to play, and we will.

Across Army, at all levels and by people of all ranks, a lot of really good work has gone into not only giving real shape to ARMY25, but delivering on its key outcomes. This Army News captures that progress, both what has been delivered and what the next steps are.

We are making real progress against our strategy, and it is starting to deliver.

Major General John Boswell

Chief of Army

OPERATION BURNHAM

By Chief of Army, Major General John Boswell

You will no doubt have seen the media coverage following the release of the report into Operation Burnham recently. While that report showed failings on our part, there are some things I want to reiterate in relation to Operation Burnham and the report’s findings.

RESERVISTS ANSWER

CALL FOR HELP IN

NORTHLAND FLOODS

dicey due to extreme flooding, what we were trained to do.”

I am proud of our Army’s service in Afghanistan. I am proud of the difference we made for the people and government of that country. More than three thousand of our soldiers served there. Ten of our soldiers lost their lives there. All served in line with our values of courage, commitment, comradeship and integrity.

That is why I am not surprised that the report of the Inquiry into Operation Burnham confirms what we have all known to be true – that the operation was based on sound intelligence and it was justified: that it was properly planned, properly authorised, professionally carried out and, importantly, carried out in accordance with the rules of engagement and international humanitarian law.

The report says one person was killed by our forces on the ground in accordance with the rules of engagement and international humanitarian law.

The report says that, as well as insurgents, it is likely there were civilian casualties either killed or injured during the operation. The report is clear, our soldiers did not cause these casualties.

Operation Burnham was a complex and dangerous operation against armed insurgents who had attacked New Zealand and other international troops. It was also a successful operation, disrupting insurgent activity. The report confirms our soldiers behaved as we demand and in line with the traditions of both the Special Air Service and the New Zealand Army.

The Inquiry report also considered an operation carried out with the Afghan authorities to detain an insurgent leader in Kabul.

The Inquiry found a soldier struck the insurgent after he was detained. Actions of this type are not in line with the behaviour we demand and expect.

The Inquiry members made recommendations regarding detention during partnered operations, which are complex areas of international law. The NZDF will work closely with other agencies to ensure our frontline commanders have absolute clarity around detention policies and procedures when working alongside international forces and partners.

The report also makes a number of recommendations regarding record keeping, oversight of the NZDF, orders regarding processes in the event of reports of civilian casualties and the development of government policy on detention.

The NZDF accepts these recommendations as they apply to the NZDF, and will work with Ministers and other agencies to implement them.

Finally, it is right that I acknowledge the soldiers from our SAS, and their families, who have endured the allegations made against them, which has placed significant pressure on them. For them, this report confirms what we have always known. Operation Burnham was justified, legal and professionally conducted. For them, this report draws a line in these matters and they can now

New Zealand Army Reserves battle flood conditions to assist critical patients for Northland District Health Board.

When the call came in from Northland District Health Board for help in picking up renal patients stranded by Northland floods, Staff Sergeant Ben Penney was ready to go.

“Flood or not, I knew that these patients need their medical care and if they could not make it to a hospital or get their medication it becomes a life and death situation,” SSGT Penney from the 3 rd /6 th Reserve Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment, said of Saturday’s call. “I mustered our Reserves and together we prepared our Unimog truck. We got supplies to keep the patients comfortable on the trip such as thermal mats, smock liners and water. We then made our way to a patient in need in Ōakura. The roads were pretty however the Unimog is exceptional in such conditions,” he said.

“We picked up the patient and delivered him safely to hospital. It felt great to be able to use our training and equipment to directly help Kiwis in need. The patient was extremely thankful, and we all went home feeling like we did move on. Sarah Hoyle, Emergency Manager for Northland District Health Board, says it is absolutely critical that flood-isolated patients get treatment.

“The New Zealand Defence Force was happy to help. Seeing an Army truck in front of the hospital was a really welcome sight for our staff and patients.”

The Battalion provided two Unimogs, staffed by NZ Army Reservists, to assist with moving patients isolated by flood conditions.