An Cosantóir

www.military.ie THE DEFENCE FORCES MAGAZINE | 5 Manager Comdt David McKnight info@military.ie +353 (0)45 44 5306 Editor Sgt Wayne Fitzgerald magazine@military.ie +353 (0)45 44 5307 Connect Sgt Karl Byrne connect@military.ie Photo/Journalist Cpl Lee Coyle journalist@military.ie Photographer Armn Jamie Barrrett photo@military.ie Subscriptions Cpl Kelly Gallagher +353 (0)45 44 5312 subs@military.ie DF/PR Information Vacant admin@military.ie +353 (0)45 44 5308 DF Webmaster Sgt Mick Burke +353 (0)45 44 5309 webmaster@military.ie Magazine Archivist Mr Sean Shinnors Designer/Advertising JM Publishing & Media, Arklow, Co. Wicklow,Ireland Tel: +353 15331911 Tel: +353871344135 Web: www.jmpublishing.ie Email: info@jmpublishing.ie Printer Turner's Printing Co., Ltd Earl Street, Longford, Ireland Tel: +353 (0)43 3350500 The fact that an article appears in this magazine does not indicate official approval of the views expressed by the author. © Published by OiC Public Relations Branch for the Defence Forces at DFHQ, Block 5, Ceannt Bks, DFTC, Curragh Camp, Co Kildare, Ireland. Tel: +353 (0)45 445312 Front Cover 94th Cadet Class conducting a FIBUA Exercise in Fort Davis. Photo by Sgt Karl Byrne For more Defence Forces photographs, checkout: www.flickr.com/photos/ dfmagazine Editorial H ello and welcome to the first issue of An Cosantóir's 79th year. This month's topics range from FIBUA (fighting in built-up areas) to instructor exchanges with the British Army, international courses, cyber security, and much, much, more. As ever your photos are On Parade to start us off, providing a wide view of the day-to-day activities of our military family. In Focus follows with two short pieces; the first about a fundraising event for a retired officer diagnosed with motor neurone disease, and the second taking a look at the DF Review 2018, which focuses on peacekeeping and peace-making interventions over the 60 years since Irish troops first deployed overseas. Our Veterans' News looks at the 2018 Veterans' Military Ball, which raised nearly €9,000 for ONE's Fuchsia Appeal. This month's lead article looks at 94th Cadet Class undergoing a FIBUA exercise in Fort Davis, Co Cork. This is complemented by The Infantry Platoon Sergeant in FIBUA, written by instructors from the NCO Training Wing, Military College, which looks at this type of urban warfare. In Sharing Knowledge: UK Instructor Exchange, Sgt Rory Behan reports on his attendance as an observer on the British Army's Urban Operations Instructors' Course, which also included close-quarter battle shooting and fighting in woods and forests (FIWAF). Reservist Capt Damien O'Herlihy gives us a snapshot of his unit's activities in Two Weeks in 2 Bde Cavalry Squadron Reserve, which includes participating in the escort of honour for the WWI Armistice centenary commemorations, the inauguration of President Higgins, and a 72-hour joint tactical exercise in the Slieve Blooms. Our own Cpl Lee Coyle gives us Friendships & Memories in Custume Barracks, in which he tells us about his meeting with some female civilian employees in the barracks who have given a combined 369 years' service to the DF. Lee also provides us with a look at Advanced Training on Security Sector Reform, which is an international course conducted by UNTSI. Our regular Naval Service contributor, CPO/ERA Ruairí de Barra, tells us about a recent Advanced Marine Damage Control and Fire Fighting Course conducted in the National Maritime College of Ireland. To start off our History section, Justyna Mazurek-Schramm tells us about the third conference on Polish/Irish history, held at the Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznan in conjunction with the city's Irish Culture Foundation. In Athy's Heroes & Veterans, I write about visiting that town's impressive Heritage Centre to learn about its military past and meet veterans who have set up one of ONE's newest branches. Peter Mulready MA looks at the strategic importance of The Siege of Malta 1940-1942 before our Sports pages finish the issue with a look at the DF Gaelic football team, which is under new management and building for the future. All this, plus our regular Tac-Aide, Gear Review, Noticeboard, Book Review and What I Do features. Sgt Wayne Fitzgerald Ombudsman's Visit The Ombudsman for the Defence Forces (ODF), Mr Alan Mahon, continued his orientation with a visit to the DFTC before Christmas. He found the day very informative and wishes to thank all those who facilitated the visit. Pictured are Lauren O'Donovan, Brian O'Neill, Alan Mahon, and Micheal O'Flaherty, along with Comdt Jamie Troy and Pte Iggy Mitchell. Photo: Capt Peter Dunne

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