Exercise JASCO Black: New Zealand Soldiers Welcome U.S. Marines

Photo By Sgt. Isaac Ibarra | U.S. Marine Maj. Terry Heichelbech, left, shakes hands with New Zealand Army Pvt. George Poa during the opening ceremony for exercise Joint Assault Signals Company Black, at Camp Linton, New Zealand, Aug. 11, 2015. Exercise JASCO Black presents the opportunity for the U.S. and New Zealand to strengthen their partnership, exchange training techniques and share knowledge. Poa is a weapons troop with 161 Battery, 16th Field Regiment. Heichelbech is from Louisville, Kentucky, and an artillery officer with 5th Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, III MEF. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Isaac Ibarra/Released)  

CAMP LINTON, NEW ZEALAND

08.11.2015

Story by Cpl. Isaac Ibarra                

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

CAMP LINTON, New Zealand - A battery of New Zealand Army Soldiers closes in on a company of U.S. Marines. The soldiers halt, and the two sides face off.

A hole in the pack of Soldiers opens, making way for three spear-wielding Maori warriors wearing nothing but shorts. In the 40-degree weather, their feet are chilled red. Shaking their spears and shouting viciously, they posture up to the Marines. One of them offers the official challenge: A small branch lain at the feet of the Marines.

Called a Wero, the branch is a peace offering. To accept peace, the visitor must pick up it up; otherwise, he is a foe.
Kiwi Soldiers with 161 Battery, 16th Field Regiment peacefully welcomed the U.S. Marines with this Powhiri ritual during the opening ceremony for exercise Joint Assault Signals Company Black, at Camp Linton, New Zealand, Aug. 11, 2015.

Afterwards, the Marines with 5th Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, III MEF, sang the Marine Corps Hymn to give the Kiwis a taste of Marine Corps tradition.

Exercise JASCO Black presents the opportunity for the U.S. and New Zealand to strengthen their partnership, exchange training techniques and share knowledge.

“This exercise will not only increase our interoperability, but also create new friendships throughout the training,” said Maj. Anthony Robinson, the acting commanding officer for 16th Field Regiment.

The partnership between U.S. and New Zealand traces back to World War II and continues to support to security and partnership in the Pacific region, according to Capt. Ryan Von Rembow, a UH-1Y pilot/forward air control officer with 5th ANGLICO.

“If we actually have to go to the fight, we will have a solid understanding and trust in each other to accomplish the mission,” said Von Rembow, from Fayetteville, Arkansas.

• Date Taken: 08.11.2015
• Date Posted: 08.23.2015 17:56
• Story ID: 173822
• Location: CAMP LINTON, NZ
• Hometown: FAYETTEVILLE, AR, US