02 August 2011
Gisborne youngster Jack Notting had the time of his life last week when he spent a day with the Army at Linton.
ANZAC Poster Creation Competition Winner Jack Notting (20110727-OH-K1023900-0002).
Jack, 12, won the Operation Anzac Spirit art competition, and chose a day with the Army as his prize. The competition invited Year seven and eight students to submit posters showing what Anzac Day meant to them.
Accompanied by his friend Caleb Jones-King, and his dad Bryan, Jack was treated to a ride in a light armoured vehicle when he arrived at the camp. The trio was chaperoned by Warrant Officer Class One Bill O'Brien, who issued the two boys with special sized uniforms to wear for the day.
The Commander, 2 Land Force Group, Colonel Howie Duffy welcomed the visitors to the camp, as did the Formation Sergeant Major WO1 Rob McLean. They were presented with Army caps and identification tags, before being shown a weapons demonstration, and visiting 1 RNZIR's history room.
Next it was a light armoured vehicle ride for the boys and Brian Notting, which included passing through the camp's demolition range.
After morning tea they visited Linton's Simulation Centre, and viewed 16 Field Regiment's 105mm Light Gun. After lunch they called in on 1 NZ Signals Regiment where they took part in activities relating to field craft. At the camp Fire Station they watched motor vehicle extrication, and saw how thermal imaging cameras are used.
Later in the afternoon the boys joined engineers from 2 Engineer Regiment and visited the aerial ropeway construction, before being taken for a ride in the Zodiac/Kevlar Assault Boat.
Jack, who says he now wants to join the Army when he is old enough, says he enjoyed every part of the whole day.
"It was awesome - all the different guns, the grenades, the claymores, the LAV ride. I found the whole experience really great."