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 Sam Gibney photo@military.ie Subscriptions Cpl Martin Bennett +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 Defence Forces Printing Press 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 Front Cover: A Helicopter Pilot of No.3 Ops Wing AC - Photo by A/M Sean Foley For more Defence Forces photographs, checkout: www.flickr.com/photos/ dfmagazine Editorial H ello, and welcome our third issue of 2020, continuing with our 80th volume – in the historic milestone the An Cosantóir magazine has reached. With the world changing around us we hope you are staying safe in this difficult time. Our On Parade section, as always has a wide variety of stories this month, please keep them coming in. Our In Focus pages provided by CQMS Michael Barrett (AR), takes us to an AR units rifle training in order to compete in the 2 Brigade shooting competition. We move forward then to our first main feature article, brought to us by Padraig Byrne of the 'The People Newspapers', Padraig interviewed the ex ARW member and current team member of the series 'Ultimate Hell Week' Robert Stafford. A very rare interview with an ex ARW member from Wexford looks back on his career and gives an insight into the show. In Watchful and Loyal, our second main feature, Lukasz Gancarz takes a look how No 3 Operations wing in the AirCorps began in its infancy and how it developed through the years to where it is today. Our third main feature, Operation Bushfire was kindly provided by Brian Hartigan, Editor of Contact Magazine, The Australian Military Magazine. The article gives the reader a personal insight from an Australian military point of view, with many interviews with the soldiers on the frontlines of the emergency. Moving on, we have a piece provided by Signal Magazine in Slándáil 2020, written by Dr Gerry Waldron, Gerry writes about this years National Security Summit Ireland which took place back in February. In another piece provided by Signal Magazine, Lt Col (Rted) Mark Prendergast talked to Ruairi Kavanagh about his career in the Irish Defence Forces and what it takes to be a good leader within a military environment. Many thanks to all our contributors, especially Brian Hartigan of Contact Magazine and Ruiari Kavanagh of Signal Magazine for providing us with some of the articles featured in this issue of An Cosantóir Magazine. Of course we have our regulars with 2 History articles, Sport, Tac-aide, Noticeboard and not to forget our 2 competitions. Sgt Karl Byrne – (Stand-in) Editor If you are considering buying your first home, moving house, planning a self-build or feel it's time for a change and wish to switch your mortgage, then look no further than EBS New- bridge, Co Kildare. Dave Keenan and Sheena Smith (pictured left) would love to discuss the EBS 3% back in cash offering along with the EBS low fixed rates. EBS is offering home buyers and switchers up to 3% Back in Cash. That's as much as 3% (2% upfront and 1% in 5 years) of the value of your new mortgage. Both Dave and Sheena are fully qualified financial advisors with a number of years mortgage experience. Dave Keenan, company COO and business development manager, is with EBS New- bridge over 16 years and advises that the Newbridge office has always had a close affinity with the defence forces and that connection is growing all the time. No matter what part of the country you are based in they are totally flexible and are happy to discuss all of your mortgage options at a time suitable for you. EBS Newbridge also offer a very convenient workplace appointment facil- ity where they will call to your office or place of work and can run regular mortgage clinics throughout the year which is a great benefit for all employees to have. If you would like to discuss how EBS Newbridge could possibly save you some money or for general advice, please contact Dave or Sheena on 045 431790 or mail newbridge@mail.ebs.ie.

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