Local community interacts with New Zealand and US militaries during Exercise Kiwi Koru Open House event

Photo By Tech. Sgt. Christopher Hubenthal | New Zealand Defence Force Gunner Salaikeni Salaikeni, 16th Field Regiment, 1st New Zealand Brigade, applies camo paint onto a child's face during the Exercise Kiwi Koru Open House event at the Stratford War Memorial Centre Nov. 16, 2014, in Stratford, New Zealand. The Open House event allowed the local community to speak with soldiers, tour military vehicles, and interact with military equipment. Exercise Kiwi Koru is designed to enhance defense relations between the United States and New Zealand, advance interoperability between U.S. and New Zealand forces, and increase the readiness of both militaries to respond to regional crises. Approximately 60 Soldiers from the 25th Infantry Division at Schofield Barracks and 40 Marines from I Marine Expeditionary Force trained alongside approximately 600 New Zealand Defence Force soldiers from the 1st New Zealand Brigade. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Christopher Hubenthal)  

STRATFORD, TKI, NEW ZEALAND

11.16.2014

Story by Staff Sgt. Christopher Hubenthal 

DMA Pacific - Hawaii Media Bureau   

STRATFORD, New Zealand -- The local community was invited to the Stratford War Memorial Centre to tour military vehicles, interact with military logistics and speak with New Zealand Defence Force soldiers, U.S. Army soldiers, U.S. Marines and U.S. Navy sailors during Exercise Kiwi Koru's Open House event Nov. 16.

Kiwi Koru is a bilateral exercise between U.S. and New Zealand militaries on the North Island of New Zealand and is designed to enhance defense relations with New Zealand through conducting multinational training and advancing interoperability between militaries.

Guests were able to get a hands-on experience with what New Zealand Defence Force soldiers work with and operate to receive a better understanding of what their military is like and get a chance to ask soldiers questions about their service.

U.S. Navy Lt. Danielle Anderson, Exercise Kiwi Koru medical officer, thinks the event is a great opportunity for the New Zealand Defence Force and the New Zealand community.

"I think this is awesome," Anderson said. "It's so great to see the military interfacing with the public. They get a bit of transparency in terms of what the military is about, what kinds of capabilities they have, and they also get to meet the soldiers face-to-face and establish a bond with them."

The children in attendance also were able to have a fun and entertaining experience Anderson said.

"The kids are having a great time climbing on the vehicles …this can only bring good things in terms of getting to know the military and being supportive of them," Anderson said. "I think it's been wonderful and it's been quite fun for me. The kids are adorable."

Trent Boyes, a local child in attendance, thought the Open House was entertaining and enjoyed the opportunity to meet soldiers after seeing them conduct missions during the exercise.

"It was pretty cool," Trent said. "I liked going inside the vehicles and meeting all the army people. Me and my mate talked to them. Some went past my house yesterday. Hopefully I can drive one of those vehicles one day."

The U.S. military and New Zealand Defence Force share a strong bond both in history and in recent military operations as coalition partners.

This year marks the 72nd anniversary of the arrival of U.S. forces to assist with the defense of New Zealand during World War II. Now 72 years later, the U.S. and New Zealand militaries train side by side and are scheduled to work together again in 2015 in support of the exercise Southern Katipo.

• Date Taken: 11.16.2014
• Date Posted: 11.22.2014 02:45
• Story ID: 148566
• Location: STRATFORD, TKI, NZ