Army soldiers hone their urban warfare skills

Soldiers posted to 2^nd/1^st Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment’s Depot Company have been practising urban operations at an infantry rifle section level as part of the Combat Corps Training course.

Personnel were equipped with Modular Assault Rifle System – Light (MARS-L) rifles, Light Support Weapons (LSW), and Glock G17 Gen 4 pistols, all forming the organic weapon systems of an infantry section.

Depot Company Second-in-Command Lieutenant Will Hutchinson said the 65 trainees were exposed to a variety of scenarios from low to high threat in order to test their skills in urban operations.

“This included room entry and building clearances as part of urban attacks, as well as support and stability operations which included vehicle check points, IED (improvised explosive device) route clearances and detainee handling,” he said. 

The soldiers undertook several theory lessons, followed by practical implementation and repetition, all tested in a series of tactical battle handling exercises at facilities across Christchurch and Selwyn. 

LT Hutchinson said that with an increase of warfare being conducted in urban environments it is important that soldiers are competent and can operate in complex situations.

“The urban environment is something we continue to develop as part of our warfighting capability.”

This was also the first time that soldiers on Combat Corps Training operated with the new Soldier Personal Protective Equipment (SPPE) body armour and helmets.

Trainees will now move onto the last component of their training, Exercise Southern Warrior at Tekapo Military Training Area which will focus on open country operations.