“Bam Bam” Out of Retirement to Stand as Sentinel

Today a ceremony was conducted to mark the formal handover of the M548 Track Load Carrier “Bam Bam” on loan to Army Command School (ACS), Waiouru. Bam Bam came into service between 1972 and 1974 and served mainly in Waiouru with Queen Alexandra’s Mounted Rifles (QAMR). It had a crew of two and was used to transport fuel, stores, and ammunition for armoured units deployed in the field.

Now standing proudly as a guardian and sentinel for the ACS parade ground, it provides a link for the New Zealand Army’s contemporary soldiers to their historical past. It reminds all that life is a continual journey linking the present and future to the past, and we take with us those who came before and honour their service and sacrifice.

Kia whakatōmuri te haere whakamua.

Walk into the future with eyes fixed on the past.