An Cosantóir

www.military.ie THE DEFENCE FORCES MAGAZINE | 19 ing in any direction which greatly enhances the safety of all involved in the exercise and something that simply was not possible in the old timber and block shoot through facility that the ARW used to train in. What makes the facility particularly useful is that with the multitude of potential set ups from the seven rooms and eighteen doors, the variety of scenarios is virtually limitless. The facility was even designed such that it can mimic the tactical difficulties experi- enced by an assault team in buildings rang- ing from domestic houses, offices, hotels and even ship layouts. As part of the design, a canopy roof and gantry systems for viewing drills from is also included as well as specially con- structed safe to shoot furniture, a moving target robot and spare Dura Bloc TM for replacement over time. Because of the nature of SOF units and the need for delib- erate and accurate firing onto designated targets according to the Mission's Rules of Engagement (ROEs), the ARW LFSH has an expected operational lifetime of at least 30 years and possibly more with the applica- tion of careful maintenance policy and the smart management of target placement and Dura Bloc TM recycling system. SOFQ course Bravo Two will learn the basics of their trade in the facility and will be doing so in an environment made much safer through the utilisation of modern tech- nological improvements. Meanwhile the operators of Bravo Team stack outside en- trance door number three for a fresh run at a yet unknown and dynamic scenario. It is going to be a long day of drills for the team, a task they have been specially selected, trained and equipped to do. It is a job that every one of them relishes and wouldn't want to change for the world, living up to the unit motto: Glaine ár gcroí (The cleanliness of our hearts) Neart ár ngéag (The strength of our limbs) Agus beart de réir ár mbriathar (And our commitment to our promise) The Live Fire Tactical Training (LFTT) instructor calls "End Ex" and the team files outside to review the video of how the assault went. Instinctively, they all know exactly what went right and what went wrong, they will go through multiple scenarios again and again until they have it perfect. This is the SOF way, the reason that only a dedicated few make it through the gruelling Special Operations Forces Quali- fication (SOFQ) process to begin with. The LFTT instructor is professional and thorough in his debrief. Doing so has become much safer and effective following the installa- tion of a new Live Fire Shoot House (LFSH) for the unit in 2017. The LFSH is a €1million euro investment which has given the ARW the latest state of the art live fire training systems from an American based company called Range Systems Ltd based on specifi- cations and design concept from the ARW. Utilising the latest technology materials and design, the facility is one of only a handful to meet the highest of standards in existence anywhere in the world. The 12.5mm steel armour plate that makes up the wall is the same quality protection used in armoured vehicles. On top of these and around the entire walled surface a specialist material, cold com- pressed vulcanised rubber panelling called Dura Panel TM is placed. A single 2ft square of Dura Panel TM can withstand up to 2,000 rounds of 7.62mm ball ammunition fired from point blank range. To augment it, the majority of the walls where targets will be placed against, known as 'Hot Walls', are covered with Dura Bloc TM each weighing over 30kg and which can take an additional 5,000 rounds of 7.62mm bullets before needing to be replaced. The design also fea- tures an innovative sliding bullet proof wall structure that can cover doors and change the orientation of the hallway configura- tion dramatically and be changed in mere seconds by an Instructor wishing to change around the scenario. The facility can also facilitate multiple team entries allowing teams to engage targets safely whilst mov-

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