An Cosantóir

www.military.ie THE DEFENCE FORCES MAGAZINE | 19 REPORT & PHOTOS BY CQMS (AR) MICHAEL BARRETT, 7 INF BN RDF T he weekend of 24th - 26th January saw Reserves Defence Forces (RDF) units of the Dublin based 7 Inf Bn fire their Annual Personal Weapons Tests (APWT) on Carna Range outside Athlone Town. The Battalions C and D Companies fired almost 60 reservist soldiers on what was weather wise, an ideal day for range practices. Both Companies were based in Custume Bks, Athlone for duration of the long weekend - this location was a pleasant change from our regular rifle range haunts of either Kilbride or Gormanston Camps. As an infantry battalion, rifle skills are paramount, the Steyr rifle is our personal weapon, every single soldier in the battalion must be both confident and proficient in its use. Firing and achieving a pass grade is essential for almost any course of training which an RDF soldier aspires to be offered, not to mention, it keeps us operational in the sense of our military weap- ons handling skills. This operational mode means we can support the PDF elements of the Battalion, if ever required to do so, for example during an exercise, a regimental duty or any other allocated task. This particular weekend was also busy for other elements of the 7 Inf Bn RDF. Our comrades in E Coy were conducting poten- tial RDF recruit's fitness tests in our home base of Cathal Brugha Bks, in Dublin. We also have students in the DFTC on the current RDF Potential Officers' Course. Other 7 Inf Bn reservists were also in the DFTC attending briefings for other courses. This weekend in Athlone also had another special occasion for the 7 Inf Bn, for a reservist with well over 40-years' service was firing the rifle for the last time. Coy Sgt (AR) Dave Tyrrell, D Coy, 7 Inf Bn who retired on the 5th February 2020, and this weekend away on the range practices was his last away trip with the RDF. Dave originally joined the FCÁ's 20 Inf Bn in 1975, at a time when the standard weapon there was the .303 number 4 rifle, other weapons in service with FCÁ back then included the excellent Bren Light Ma- chine Gun and even the legendary Vickers Machine Gun was still to be found in FCÁ unit stores. Coy Sgt (AR) Dave Tyrrell, who enlistment in 1975, is almost certainly one of the longest ever serving members of the Defence Forces in any branch or service. He enlisted at a time of great turmoil in the Northern Troubles, these troubles are difficult to comprehend now, but at the time they had a very real danger of spilling over into the South of Ireland on a massive scale. Dave, along with reserve soldiers like him, was there, if ever that need came. For this his last rifle shoot, Coy Sgt (AR) Dave Tyrrell fired his personal issued Steyr rifle for the last time. For this long serving reserve soldier, it was his last shot in the service of the State. 7 Last Shoot.jpg - Comdt Gary Skinner, OC D Coy, with CS dave Tyrrell and CQMS Donncha MacFhionnlaoich, both D Coy 7 Inf Bn.

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