Army counter terrorism training resumes after death of SAS Lance Corporal Nicholas Kahotea
Monday, 13 May 2019
An Army counter-terrorism exercise suspended following the death of a New Zealand SAS serviceman died has resumed.
The scope of the training, involving New Zealand Special Operations Forces and United States military, has been reduced and some more complex training changed after Lance Corporal Nicholas Kahotea died on Wednesday.
Chief of Army, Major General John Boswell, said safety was always the Defence Force's top priority.
'While we continue to look into the cause of the accident, I am satisfied that the measures put in place will allow us to continue with the remainder of this exercise safely.'
**READ MORE:
* **Army exercise suspended after SAS trooper dies after training incident
* Intense training, secret missions behind enemy lines: What is the SAS?
* SAS trooper Lance Corporal Nicholas Kahotea killed during training incident, Army confirms
A police investigation into Lance Corporal Kahotea's death on behalf of the Coroner is taking place following the incident in Ardmore, the site of a specially-designed SAS training facility.
The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) is holding a Court of Inquiry to establish the facts of the accident, so it said it would not be appropriate for NZDF to comment further.
Between now and the end of May, the SAS and US ground and air units will complete training activities as part of the exercise, including aerial gunnery at Kaipara Air Weapons Range and combined mission planning.
Kahotea joined the New Zealand Army in 2006 as a Royal New Zealand Engineer, with an initial posting to the 1st New Zealand Special Air Service Regiment as a specialist searcher in 2008.
He successfully completed NZSAS selection and was badged as an NZSAS operator in December 2014, and served in Afghanistan.
A statement from the New Zealand Army following his death said Kahotea would be remembered as 'a soldier, father, friend and proud New Zealander'.
Chief of Army Major General John Boswell said Kahotea was a consummate professional, who was known for his dedication and reliability – always upholding the Army's core values in every endeavour.