NOUMÉA, New Caledonia—The 962nd Quartermaster Mortuary Affairs Company is currently participating in Exercise Croix du Sud 25, pushing their physical and mental limits through rigorous commando obstacle courses as of April 23, 2025.
This joint military training exercise, held in New Caledonia, focuses on disaster relief, crisis events, and enhancing the partnership and interoperability of military personnel from 18 countries.
Adjudant Jordan Goeury, an active-duty soldier with nearly 20 years of service in the French Armed Forces, oversees the safety and instructional quality of the challenge courses.
Goeury stressed the importance of overcoming fear as participants navigate the French Armed Forces’ two challenging commando obstacle courses—one situated on water and the other utilizing climbing harnesses.
“Military personnel must be versatile and ready to confront any obstacle,” Goeury remarked, emphasizing the need for mental toughness in addition to physical endurance.
Spc. Julie Marie Cruz of the 962nd Quartermaster Mortuary Affairs Company shared her experience after completing both obstacle courses on April 23, 2025.
Cruz highlighted the training’s reciprocal benefits for both U.S. Army soldiers and members of the FANC, stating that it allows for an exchange of military technical skills.
“It makes us refresh what we were taught in basic training, but then it also shows us how the French Army works and how they implement their soldiering skills,” she said, noting the insights gained from observing French soldiers during the exercises.
The climbing course includes essential instruction on rappelling techniques, ensuring participants can descend safely and efficiently.
A culminating challenge sees soldiers descending a steep rock face that overlooks the stunning aquamarine waters of the South Pacific, culminating in a 15-foot drop into a shallow lagoon followed by scrambling over wet rocks back to solid ground.
Meanwhile, the nautical obstacle course consists of various military challenges suspended above the water, including navigating a cylindrical structure, climbing nets, and quickly maneuvering over irregularly shaped obstacles.
Given their specialized training, soldiers from the 962nd Quartermaster Mortuary Affairs Company are well-acquainted with challenges, particularly those that require compassion and care in handling the remains of fallen soldiers.
Staff Sgt. Taufaanuu El Mechal, a squad leader in the 962nd, explained their preparation for emergency scenarios, including mass casualty incidents triggered by events like hurricanes.
During the exercise, their team sets up a Mobile Integrated Remains Collection System (MIRC) for efficient operational support.
Once on-site, the mortuary affairs team first checks for unexploded ordnance before recovering any fallen soldiers, ensuring their safety throughout the process.
After securing a deceased service member, personal effects are carefully stored and inventoried, and the body is kept until it can be transported to the Joint Personal Effects Depot at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware.
Nineteen soldiers from the 962nd, predominantly residing in Guam and Hawaii, are attending this significant international training exercise.
Based at Fort Shafter Flats, these soldiers are under the 9th Mission Support Command, recognized as the sole component in the Pacific supporting active-duty Army personnel.
Cruz expressed her conviction about the vital nature of this training, indicating that both U.S. and partner nations benefit equally from the collaborative exercises.
“It’s like 50-50 where they help us and we help them,” she noted, reflecting the mutual learning experience at hand.
Exercise Croix du Sud marks the 11th iteration of this biennial joint/multilateral field training exercise organized and led by the FANC, focusing on disaster relief and enhancing cooperation among militaries.
Approximately 2,000 participants are engaged in the exercise, utilizing 13 aircraft and five ships to facilitate various training operations.
In addition to the U.S. military, countries involved include France, Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, the United Kingdom, Vanuatu, Chile, Colombia, Germany, Japan, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Peru, Singapore, Belgium, and the Philippines.
image source from：https://www.army.mil/article/285193/962nd_mortuary_affairs_sharpens_recovery_skills_at_cds25
