NZ Army wins gold in Welsh military challenge

The exercise involved more than 100 teams traversing the undulating terrain of the Welsh Brecon Beacons, in all manner of weather, covering around 60km over 48 hours. It has been running for 65 years and is designed to be arduous, with participants needing to be mentally and physically prepared for the challenge.

Carrying more than 40kg per person, the 1 RNZIR section employed military fieldcraft, navigation, tactics, leadership skills and teamwork in reaction to a variety of scenarios, including minefield clearance, a tactical water crossing, capture of an enemy trench and battlefield casualty drills. 

Out of the four passing distinctions (gold, silver, bronze, basic pass), the NZ Army section achieved a gold medal standard.

Sergeant Jesse Faulkner, who led the 1RNZIR section, says the NZ Army takes part every year, with different units earning the privilege of representing New Zealand depending on who has won the 1^st (NZ) Brigade Skill-at-Arms competition. 

“As it happened, this year we didn’t have the competition, but 1^st Battalion had done well in similar exercises in Australia and Fiji. I had been a team manager for a Cambrian Patrol team in 2017 and I volunteered straight away for this – I thought I would have a turn myself.”

He says the section went in well informed and well prepared.

“We knew what to expect in terms of skills and competencies, what the terrain would be like and the kilometres to cover in the time constraints. 

“The Brits describe the terrain and weather as if it’s nothing we’ve encountered before. It’s a bit like back country around Waiouru. Our biggest challenge was that none of us had worked together before. So we were a mixed bag of soldiers together, including junior soldiers, wanting to operate at a high level. Which everyone did.”

Other challenges were basic fatigue while coming under pressure with tasks and scenarios along the way.

“At the end of the day, it’s a patrol. We know it, it’s what we train for every day. I would say to anyone, don’t overthink it. Everyone in the team had a good time and wants to do it again. It was a great experience, especially for the younger guys.”

Team manager Captain Mitch Berryman says New Zealand usually does well, with personnel from Queen Alexandra’s Mounted Rifles also achieving the gold standard last year.

“We’ve done a lot of exercises and operations this year, and doing this on top of that shows the depth we have in the New Zealand Army.

“If we had given them some more rations and water, they would have been good to go for another 48 hours.”