An Cosantóir

17 the driving of the LTAV RG 32M in all weather conditions, operating the vehicle in a CBRN environment, conducting vehicle maintenance, safely conducting recovery operations, and confident in deploying in a tactical environment. The students will also be up skilled on and fire the MAG58 and 66mm smoke discharge system during the course qualifying shoot. The first two weeks of the course comprise of classroom and practical based lectures to gain an appreciation and understanding of the workings of the Light Tactical Armoured Vehicle. While the students also begin driver training, which is progressively introduced, that consists of extended periods of driving in both rural and urban areas, supplemented by practical lessons on vehicle recovery and maintenance. This tends to be a difficult transition for students who have to quickly adapt to a vehicle which differs greatly from anything they have qualified in thus far. The LTAV is a nine-ton vehicle with a 17-meter turning circle and needs to be cautiously manoeuvred by the vehicle operator, in order drive it in a safe and competent manner. To operate the vehicle correctly, the driver also needs to be aware and in full knowledge of the many systems incorporated into the LTAV. These include a central tyre inflation system, which enables the vehicle to navigate varying terrain, an onboard CBRN protection and ventilation system, and multiple communication suites including a Harris HF radio, Sincgar VHF Radio and a Motorala radio for in-car and car-to-car communication. Weeks three and four are ultimately seen as the assessment weeks, with the on and off-road testing of the students. The Cavalry School DFTC facilitate this testing for us, with the on-road test taking place in the greater DFTC area and the off-road testing on the cross country driving course in Coolmoney Camp. During week three the students also undertake night driving in the Defence Forces training area at Carnagh Ranges in Athlone, utilizing night vision equipment. Then finally in week four we conduct our tactical exercise and shoot. We vary this between the Slieve Bloom Mountains, Co Offaly and the Glen of Imaal training area for our tactical training exercise, with both areas very accommodating and ideal locations. During the 29th LTAV ODC we conducted our shoot and tactical exercise in the Glen of Imaal over a two day period, incorporating a tactical movement shoot on the Anti-Armour Range - which proved to be very popular and successful - then moving back to the camp training areas for the tactical aspect. Overall, the 29th LTAV ODC proved to a very enjoyable and successful course, and provided five students with the qualifications and training to deploy overseas with the 117 Inf Bn to UNIFIL. We wish them a safe and rewarding mission, whilst also hoping we see a number of the NCO students from this course back to 6 Inf Bn in the near future to complete an LTAV Instructor course. The 6 Inf Bn would like to thank all units who continue to support our Infantry LTAV training and encourage personnel from all units to consider completing these courses to up skill and open further opportunities for themselves in future. An LTAV is seen in the distance on the Lateral road in the Glen of Imaal An LTAV overlooking the range in the Glen of Imaal Members of the course under supervision deploy smoke grenades from the LTAV's An LTAV and its crew carrying out a range practice in the Glen of Imaal An LTAV gunner firing the mounted 7.62 GMPG on a conventional rifle range as part of their range practices LTAV ODC

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