Troops compete in show of military skills

PAUL STEIN/ Manawatu Standard

GETTING THERE: Regular and territorial force soldiers from 2nd Land Force Group negotiate the engineers pond in their innovative raft to get to an island to identify mines. Troops had to display a wide range of skills.

WARWICK SMITH/ Manawatu Standard

VITAL AID: Private Matt Radich performs the first-aider role in the medical station, which is a simulated earthquake scenario set in a dark, destroyed container. The victim is Private Holly Gilmour.

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Teams of soldiers vying for the top team title battled blustery winds in this year's final skills competition at Linton, in the Manawatu.

The first day of the two-day annual Skill at Arms exercise kicked off at the crack of dawn yesterday.

In the intensive competition, 40 teams of soldiers complete eight stations, testing a variety of mental and physical skills.

Twelve teams of nine completed the course yesterday and the final 28 teams were to compete today.

A 6am, 3km confidence course starts the round, followed by stations that test medical, shooting, communications and recognition skills.

Warrant Officer Class 2 Hemi Brown, from the 2nd Land Force Group, said the competition tested soldiers' leadership, teamwork, endurance and general military skills.

It also fostered spirit and unity within each team, he said.

"It's not just about winning, it's achieving all the things within it."

The results of the Skill at Arms competition would go towards the Command Trophy, which is awarded to the top unit of all the year's sporting events.

The winning team would also go to Wales to compete in the international Cambrian Patrol competition next year.