Rapid Lightening strikes Woodville

Exercise Rapid Lightening will see the Woodville racecourse transformed into a mini Army Camp as it becomes the temporary home for soldiers from the Linton based No 2 Signals Squadron.

Arriving at the racecourse on 4 April 2008, they will be setting up a mobile communications facility similar to what would be found in any deployed operation.

The New Zealand Army is a large complex organisation that requires rapid and reliable communications that make operating effectively in any role, from peacekeeping or civil aid to combat, possible.

“The aim is to establish in a field environment, sophisticated communications network systems, telephone, computer services, and a combat net radio to support combat operations” says acting operations officer, Warrant Officer Myron Warr.

The exercise will involve 65 personnel, including a number of reserve soldiers from Palmerston North and Auckland areas.

The deployment will also evaluate the squadron’s logistic capability to support everything from fuel and food to mobile showers to be transported into the field.