An Cosantóir the official magazine of the Irish Defence Forces and Reserve Defence Forces.
Issue link: https://digital.jmpublishing.ie/i/1180628
An Cosantóir November 2019 www.dfmagazine.ie 12 | BY SGT WILLIE FALLON, 6 INF BN PHOTOS BY AUTHOR & SGT KARL BYRNE An Cosantóir November 2019 www.dfmagazine.ie 12 | T he 2019 International Marksmanship Skills (IMS) competition, co-ordinated by the IWW and held from 7th to 17th May, took a slightly different format from previous years, with a concentration week (7th-10th May) in Kilbride Camp and ranges, followed by four days of competition (13th -17th May) in the Glen of Imaal. This year saw a total of 24 teams compete: 16 from the Defence Forces, four from the USA, three from the UK, and one from the Netherlands. OC IWW, Comdt Gleeson, greeted the teams on their arrival in Kilbride for the concentration week and gave the opening ad- dress. All competitors, DF and international, were accommodated together, which led to an atmosphere that fostered a sharing of knowledge and some good-hearted slagging. The focus of the concentration week was to allow teams to prac- tice, train, learn and trade knowledge. Members of the ARW also gave instruction on the various weapons systems that competitors would use during the following week, such as the .5 Accuracy In- ternational Sniper Rifle and the FN Scar. Ordnance Corps personnel also provided instruction on the .303 bolt-action rifle. This was the first time this format had been implemented and it was a great success. The teams shared knowledge and tips with each other, demonstrated skills and drills, and displayed the various items of equipment and weapons that they had brought to the competition, all within a relaxed, non-competitive at- mosphere. It was especially interesting to see the international teams' issued equipment. The week also provided teams the opportunity to check weapon system zeros and shoot to 800m with their rifles, as well as taking advantage of the pistol range. Fairly im- portantly, it also gave competitors the chance to gauge the various teams' skill levels and identify who might be the main challengers in the following week's competition. At the start of the second week the teams arrived for an opening address and competition brief in the Glen of Imaal. There were to be two divisions in this year's competition, na-