An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir June 2019 www.dfmagazine.ie 14 | AN T-IARTHAIR INA DHÚISEACHT - THE WEST'S AWAKE! BY SÁIRSINT ERIC O'BRIEN, 1 CN COIS An Cosantóir June 2019 www.dfmagazine.ie 14 | F rom 16th to 18th April 2019, Complacht Tacaíochta (Support Coy) of An Chéad Cathalán Coisithe (1 Inf Bn) conducted exercise 'Atlantic Gale'. The exercise was conducted in the Renville and Oranmore areas of Co. Gal- way. The objective of Atlantic Gale was to exercise person- nel in devolved mission command, reporting procedures, Observation Posts (OPs), Close Target Reconnaissance (CTR) and deliberate offensive action. The exercise comprised both Permanent Defence Forces (PDF) and Reserve Defence Forces (RDF) elements. Atlantic Gale began in Dún Uí Mhaoilíosa (Renmore Barracks) on 16th April with an exercise scenario brief. The briefing contained information about a hostile enemy force the 'Connemara Freedom Fighters' (CFF) and their recent activities in the East Galway area. A spate of illegal activities resulted in An Garda Síochána requesting Defence Forces support for an Aid to Civil Power (ATCP) operation. The unit immediately began training for a number of possible scenarios including vehicle ambush drills, medical refresher lessons, signals refresher lessons and infantry drills. On 17th April 1 Cn Cois troops were given further situ- ational updates. Overnight the CFF had been busy; they had attacked a Garda checkpoint, taken over the mili- tary range in Oranmore and captured a member of the Defence Forces. Air Corps assets had provided footage of a weapons drop in the Renville area. The CFF had also deployed reconnaissance elements in the Renmore area that were known to be reporting troop movements in and out of the barracks. 1 Cn Cois troops were then ordered to establish an OP in Renville. The remainder of the platoon deployed to a Forward Operating Base (FOB) to the south of Oranmore Range from which reconnaissance patrols were launched in order to acquire information regarding enemy strength, composition and disposition. Due to the presence of enemy reconnaissance elements in the Renmore area, the Company Commander made the deci- sion to deploy 1 Cn Cois troops by Rigid-Hulled Inflatable Boat (RHIB) with assistance from the Defence Forces Dive Group (DFDG). The troops embarked in Galway Harbour and made the bumpy journey across Galway Bay to the Renville area in two groups. On arrival part of the first group deployed as the OP team. The remainder of the first group and the entire second group then moved via truck to the FOB. After a long wait the OP team observed and reported on an enemy arms drop made by boat in the Renville area. Infor- mation gathered from this OP was reported to the Company Tactical Operations Centre (TOC) based in the FOB and then relayed to higher HQ. Meanwhile, a reconnaissance patrol in the Oranmore area had encountered a CFF member who confronted the patrol and a verbal argument ensued. This was a test of the troop's rules of engagement for unarmed and non-physical aggression, which was handled well by the patrol commander. When the platoon consolidated in the FOB, a further infor- mation update and request was provided to the Company Commander, which required confirmation of enemy identi- ties, weapon types and their capabilities. Various CTRs were then deployed throughout the night, which resulted in the acquisition of invaluable information and confirmed the presence of Surface to Air missiles in the CFF base. Early on 18th April, the final information update was de- livered confirming the CFFs actions and intent. The scenario changed to a conventional military operation. Support Com- pany's mission was to neutralise the enemy's capability to carry out a terrorist attack and a deliberate offensive action was ordered on the CFF compound. With a fire support base in place, H-Hour was 0600 and with the GPMGs providing covering fire the offensive action was launched at 0601hrs. This involved a Military Operations in Urban Terrain (MOUT) clearance of buildings and the observation tower, followed by Directing Staff (DS) carrying out a detailed assessment of the consolida- tion phase. During this phase, medical staff from the CMU assessed the troop's ability to prioritise and treat wounded personnel, both friendly and enemy. The Platoon Sgt was also busy dealing with enemy prisoners and ensuring that work parties were dispatched promptly to treat wounded personnel and secure prisoners. At the end of the consolidation phase, the platoon was assembled and a hot debrief regarding the entire operation took place. Prior to the exercise, key learning objectives were laid out and the Company Commander, assisted by the DS, began to go through debrief points. These covered, planning and insertion by boat to an objective, occupying and report- ing on actions from a hasty OP in a public place, conducting basic infantry drills, reconnaissance drills, reporting, signals equipment familiarity and usage, medical skills, and most importantly devolved mission command. Devolving mission command allowed the unit to exercise an All-Arms Standard Course qualified Corporal as Platoon

• Cover