22 June 2007
A team of 10 New Zealand Defence Force personnel are saying farewell to family and friends as they make final preparations to depart for Lebanon on 25 June.
The team, led by a Navy officer and comprising three Navy Operational Divers and six New Zealand Army Engineers, will replace the team currently based in Tyre in Southern Lebanon.
Working as a Battlefield Area Clearance team they will plan for, locate and dispose of unexploded munitions remaining in the region after the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in July 2006.
Team leader Lieutenant Commander Trevor Leslie is aware the job they are going to do is a serious one.
“We’re trained and ready to do the job, but we know there are going to be a lot of challenges. The guys in theatre now are receiving wide acclaim for their efforts from both the United Nations and the international community. We’re ready to pick up that mantle and continue their good work.
“I believe it will be intensely satisfying to see the immediate impact of our work, to see families and farmers being able to reoccupy land that has been made safe and allow them to earn their living again. That’s going to make the job really worthwhile.”The team currently serving in Lebanon will return to New Zealand in early July.
ENDS
For further information please contact Captain Rachel Riley, Defence Public Relations, 04 529 6031 or 021 806 926
Currently 675 New Zealand Defence Force personnel are deployed on 19 operations, UN missions and defence exercises around the world.