An Cosantóir

28 the team was invaluable. These insights could only be gained through first hand experience of the exercise and would not have been possible to simulate through training scenarios alone. Throughout the training phase the administrative team under the command of Cpl Ferguson endeavoured to ensure no stone was left unturned in regards to the preparation and execution of all scenarios, as well as critical analysis of how the team performed and what areas needed improvement. Having previously represented the Defence Forces on the international level with the Irish Sniper Team in Canada, he was able to translate his experiences and knowledge into focused and well rounded scenario based training. The team travelled to Wales on the 06-OCT-21. Prior to commencement of the exercise on 10-OCT-21 they had to undergo weapons handling and pyrotechnics training with the UK Armed Forces weapon systems which they would be using on the patrol. This training was provided by the 2 Royal Irish Regiment who were acting as the team's host unit. The team also received briefs in climatic injuries and UK section level orders to ensure a level of continuity among the international team's standards and the marking performa being used to assess each team's performance. Throughout the exercise itself, each member of the team performed to an exceptional standard both in their physical and mental resilience as well their application of the training they received. Pte James McClarnen acted as the lead scout and primary navigator throughout the duration of the exercise. Using his reconnaissance experience he expertly navigated the team through the rugged and unforgiving terrain of the Welsh countryside in often visual white out situations using only a compass and map as all electronic and digital devices were strictly prohibited. Pte Kevin Hill performed the role of scribe for the entirety of the patrol. This challenging appointment meant that Pte Hill had to be constantly aware of his surroundings taking note of all relevant information to be transferred into a comprehensive patrol report at the end of the forty eight hours. Being sniper qualified, he shone in this role and his careful and consistent note taking were of the utmost importance during a high pressure debrief session of the team at the conclusion of the exercise by the directing staff. Reconnaissance qualified Pte Kevin Barry McKerr was integral to the team's success, in particular during the orders procedure and delivery. His attention to detail and craftsmanship allowed for an impressive ground model to be constructed, aiding in a detailed delivery of the exercise orders, ensuring every member of the team knew exactly what was expected of them over the course of the forty eight hours. His own personnel commitment and loyalty to the team should also be highlighted. During the training phase he welcomed a new addition to his family and although this was obviously a demanding time for both him and his family, he approached training with complete professionalism and applied himself to the tasks at hand in remarkable fashion. Cpl Gerard Rodgers took on the role of signaller and was responsible for communication of reports back to higher command as well as reporting of rendezvous points and report lines as the team progressed through the different aspects of the patrol. He also acted as the Counter CBRN specialist and his knowledge and expertise came to the fore during both the training phase while instructing the other members of the team and during the exercise itself in the C-CBRN stand, in which the team encountered a change in equipment and standard operating procedures they had trained with. This may have caused problems only for Cpl Rodger's expert knowledge in the basic principles of C-CBRN that he was able to apply thus ensuring the team continued unhindered. Sgt John McGuigan was given the arduous appointment of team medic. He impressed the directing staff who singled him out for individual praise during the casualty evacuation stand in which a friendly forces patrol had ventured off Advance to Contact Drills EXERCISE CAMBRIAN PATROL 2021

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