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OPERATION - KANUKA Activity Type: First bushcraft exercise for the Basic Cadets of the Squadron. Objective: To build on knowledge gained and confirm understanding of the bush covered in lectures. Location and Date:Orangimea Station - (Waitotara Valley) 4 - 5 Sept. 04 Exercise Numbers: Staff: 4 NCO's: 5 Basic's: 11 Total: 20 Report: Saturday 04-09-04 Majority at ATC just after 0700. Roll checked and group leaders checked that all cadets had adequate clothing. We awaited the arrival of Cadet Walker and on completing a follow-up was advised that he had been injured and could not participate. While driving to Waitotara and then up the valley to Orangimea the weather deteriorated and the rain started. We called into the farmers house and then into the woolshed to re-assess the situation. The weather forecast was for showers developing Saturday afternoon and rain Sunday. With a low cloud base, and the rain easing we made the decision to walk into the camp site with our pack, start the days training programme and re-assess the conditions around lunch time. At this time we cancelled the aerial fly-past. FGOFF Frericks conducted a briefing for walking in including, timings and where we were going. SQNLDR Quirk and Miss Smith headed in leaving marker poles along the way to ensure all made it to the camp site. All arrived at the camp site, FGOFF Frericks ran the briefing followed by the NCO lecturettes. The two sections then moved to their respective camp sites, discussed camp layout and began to collect firewood and then had lunch. The decision was made by the staff that we could conduct an adequate safe training programme and while traps and snares were been run, SQNLDR Quirk took 2 NCOs and 2 cadets back out to the vans, collected the tents, food and some ropes. After the traps and snares the cadets completed the camp setting up, putting up tents, getting more firewood, and building the toilet. Late in the afternoon Miss Smith ran a discussion on how to use the Squadron ration pack, followed by FLTLT Cleveland completing the orientation of the area to be used for the night exercise. After the evening meal the two Flight Sergeants ran the night exercise under the direction of the staff. Final debrief of the day with times advised for Sunday, then back to their respective sections for a drink, lights out, with the staff completing the final check of the cadets for the day once all were in bed.
Sunday 05.09.04 All up by 0730 and breakfast under way. In the briefing area by 0845, where a discussion on clothing was held by Miss Smith. A Check of the traps and snares and tidy up of that area. In the briefing area where FLTLT Cleveland talked through the aerial flypast and what we would have done, if it had gone ahead. A small confidence course was tackled with great deal of enthusiasm and completed in groups. We conducted a leadership exercise and the confidence course was disassembled. Cadets returned to their sections and started to clean up, have lunch, staff inspection of the section camp sites and following the debrief by FGOFF Frericks we departed in the groups for the road and back to Wanganui. Equipment returned to the store, tents pitched in one of the Army garages, vans cleaned and cadets then were able to go home. GENERAL
The basic skills of bushcraft were taught well, with a wide range of cadets prior knowledge been seen. This knowledge and skills gained by these cadets will be built upon over future exercise. Overall an enjoyable and successful weekends training.
Report By: 6 September 2004
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No. 9 (City of Wanganui) Squadron |
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