An Cosantóir

16 LTAV ODC The 6 Infantry Battalion is the home of the Light Tactical Armoured Vehicle (LTAV) School of Excellence, which came into operation in 2010 alongside the induction of LTAVs into the Defence Forces. The LTAV has since become an important strategic asset of the Defence Forces and is operationally utilized both on island and particularly on our two main troop contributing overseas missions in UNDOF and UNIFIL. The LTAV is a 4x4 multi-purpose mine-protected armoured personnel carrier, which is smaller and easier to navigate than the MOWAG armoured vehicle. The Defence Forces currently use the platform for operational patrolling and as part of the Quick Reaction Forces in both UNDOF and UNIFIL; providing increased mobility, firepower and protection. The 6 Inf Bn LTAV Infantry School of Excellence run between five and eight LTAV courses annually, in order to qualify personnel to operate these vehicles, both at home and overseas, as well as up-skilling our own personnel in the gunnery and driving in order to continually increase our operator and instructor pools. These courses include Gunnery Dismount Course (GDC), Operator Drivers Course (ODC), Fitters Admin Drivers Course (FADC) and Instructors Course. The LTAV courses which we run are a vital cog in ensuring that there are enough personnel qualified to fill the overseas vacancies. In late 2020, the 6 Inf Bn ran an Operator Drivers Course (ODC), which is a four week course to qualify Defence Forces personnel in the driving, operational and gunnery skills associated with the Infantry LTAV. The 29th LTAV ODC had twelve students, six of whom deployed with the 117 Infantry Battalion to Lebanon as part of the UNIFIL mission, and proved to be a key enabler to qualify the required personnel for this mission. As mentioned, the LTAV ODC is a four week course which encapsulates elements of driving (on and off road), gunnery, tactical awareness and maintenance skills associated with the LTAV. This course consisted of twelve students from five different units across the entire Defence Forces. This is a thoroughly enjoyable, yet intense course and consists of classroom-based lectures, practical lessons, driving instruction, vehicle maintenance and gunnery training. The students, on completion of the course will be sufficient in: 29th Operator Drivers Course group photo 3 LTAV's lined up on display on the range before a shoot An LTAV hidden in behind a deployed smoke screen Photos provided by Capt Kevin Diffley Capt Kevin Diffley By

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