An Cosantóir

29 Irish Cambrian Patrol Team receiving their Gold Medal in Sennybridge Training Area, Wales. Back Row (L – R): Cpl Alan Ferguson, Cpl Gerard Rodgers, Pte Kevin Barry McKerr, Pte James McClarnen, Pte Kevin Hill, Lt Turlough Gallagher, Lt Col David O'Shaughnessy. Front Row (L – R): Sgt John McGuigan, Cpl Sean Paul McCabe, Sgt Brian Loughran, Pte Mark Fitzachery. a secure road into a minefield, resulting in multiple and complex injuries to personnel. His systematic approach, calm communication and application of clinical skills ensured the friendly forces received rapid and lifesaving medical treatment resulting in the team scoring highly in this scenario. Cpl Sean Paul McCabe demonstrated his professionalism and instructor level knowledge throughout the duration of the patrol. His counter explosive ordinance skills were put to the test when clearing a path through a minefield in order to clear a safe passage for the team to use. He also displayed impressive knowledge during the AFV recognition scenario. This was a time pressure situation that required a calm disposition in order to correctly identify a range of armoured vehicles on a computer simulation during a period in the patrol in which all team members were struggling with sleep deprivation and concentration. Sgt Brian Loughran excelled in his role of 2IC of the team. Having completed Exercise Cambrian Patrol in 2017 and achieving a Silver Medal award there was a sense of unfinished business that needed to be addressed. From the first day of training to the final minute of the exercise, Sgt Loughran's experience and leadership was evident to be seen. His quick thinking and ability to adapt to an ever changing environment, was essential during all aspects of the exercise but this was of particular importance during the water crossing obstacle. Safety parameters set in place from the directing staff meant the team's normal procedure for crossing were not allowed and a new plan had to be conceived, explained and implemented in a ten minute period, all while under the cover of darkness with the team spaced out in all round defence. This was a make or break moment for the exercise but because of the professionalism of both Sgt Loughran and the team, they were able to overcome it and progress on. On completion of the exercise, Chief of the General Staff of the UK Armed Forces General Sir Mark Carleton-Smith addressed the weary but satisfied soldiers. "Congratulations to you all. The hard part is well behind you and that was putting your hand up and deciding you were up for a challenge and actually that you want to be tested and you are going to relish the opportunity. That's an even harder ask if you've flown in from the other side of the world, at the tail end of a global pandemic. Its not for no reason the Cambrian Patrol has got the reputation it has, which is, I think, a hard earned reputation for being the single toughest international patrol in the world. And only you will know if you think that is an appropriate judgement on it. Anyone who finishes has made a massive achievement and you should be incredibly proud of yourself". It is important to note that although the team trained and performed well over the course of the training phase and the exercise, none of this would have been possible without the help and support afforded to them by so many people within the Defence Forces. A word of thanks to Lt Col David O'Shaugnessy (OC 27th Bn), Comdt Mark O'Sullivan (2IC 27th Bn), Capt Killian Owens (CO Sp Coy 27th Bn), Sgt Maj John Doyle (BSM 27th Bn), Sgt Jeff Meehan (Sp Coy Stores 27th Bn), Comdt Joe Gleeson (OIC IWW), Comdt Niall Buckley (OIC 2 Bde Tpt), CQ Jim Collins (Procurement Section DFHQ), Maj Feargus Rice (2 Royal Irish), Capt Sam Maybin (2 Royal Irish), Sgt David McMasterson (2 Royal Irish) and a special acknowledgement to Pte Jennifer O'Connor in J7 Training. Without her knowledge and experience in organisation and liaison for an international training event, the team would not have been able to travel to the UK in the first instance. EXERCISE CAMBRIAN PATROL 2021

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