An Cosantóir

13 was an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) or drone, operated by a team from 1 BAR which provided the various platoon commanders with real time footage of enemy activity and movements, and offered commanders the information needed to formulate his/her plan or amend it as needed. This cooperation really exemplified the Infantry Princi- ple of collaborating with supporting Arms and is a step in the right direction for the DF in terms of integrating modern, cutting-edge technology with Infantry soldiers on the ground. Week 5 FTX Immediate Action Arguably the most physically and mentally de- manding phase on the course, this patrolling ex- ercise in the Galtee Mountains, Co. Tipperary was made all the more challenging due to the severe winds and prolonged rain as Storm Eunice bat- tered the country. Over the course of 72-96 hours, we covered approximately 40km by day and night setting up patrol harbours, conducting ambushes, raids, FIWAF, resupply patrols and direct-action attacks. On this exercise we teamed up with the 12th Recce Commander's Course being conduct- ed by the Infantry Weapons Wing. The Recce Commanders and their troops were then tasked by us to conduct route recces, information gathering recce patrols and select suitable Patrol Harbour locations, ambush sites and FRVs. Again, this was a realistic and welcome example of cooper- ation and teamwork between units or supporting assets. This exercise culminated in a raid on an isolated hostel which was subjected to heavy pre H-hour fire by several GPMGs and a coordinated clearance by assaulting friendly forces, quickly followed by a CASEVAC removal exercise, as the hostel was expected to come under enemy indi- rect defensive fire. It was teamwork, camaraderie, loyalty to each other and determination that got everyone through this exercise and we learned that when the situa- tion gets difficult, it's those people around you that helps you through. Week 6 FTX Stand Alone This week, we moved location to the Glen of Imaal where we would be tested in our major command appointment as either Platoon Sgt or Platoon Commander in Company level attacks conducted in various locations around the Glen of Imaal train- ing area. Monday morning began with meeting 'our' exercise troops for the week on McDonagh Square DFTC. Those students in appointment had their work cut out; organising, processing and administering their platoons and was a good expe- rience in dealing with large numbers of personnel a number of different AASC. It was very physically demanding with the four CFAs being completed as well as additional battle PT sessions in between. It was also mentally demanding due to a lot of time spent away from home if not living locally, and a lot of work being done in the evenings as prepara- tion for the following day or week, known as OPT or Outside Programme Time work. This involved working late into the evenings most nights, work- ing on TEWTs or preparing orders for the following week's exercises. However, as a course we gelled very well togeth- er and kept each other's spirits high. In terms of morale (and I was crowned "Morale Queen" while on FTX Immediate Action in the Galtee Mountains in horrendous weather conditions), I was also very pleased to be nominated Class Vice President by the NCOTW Staff; my job was made very easy by the hard work of the students and the Class President. This experience for me, as a whole, has been very enjoyable and challenging but also very rewarding for the sense of achievement in completing the 7.5 gruelling weeks and now being eligible for pro- motion to the rank of Sergeant in the Infantry, as well as making a lot of new friends from all Infan- try units across the DF. All lectures, PTs, rehearsals, demonstrations and even the CFAs covered within the first three weeks, are geared towards preparing the infantry soldier for what was to come on the four exercise phases beginning in Week Four. Week 4 FTX Urban Warrior. A FIBUA/MOUT exercise conducted in Fort Davis, Co. Cork. This exercise revised everyone in per- sonal/section/platoon administration and associ- ated TTPs i.e. CASEVAC, ORBATTs, AMMO/CAS states, use of TAMs, various reports, radio usage and voice procedure. Also utilised on this exercise 8TH INFANTRY PLATOON SERGEANTS COURSE Cpl Shelley Kehoe, student on the 8th Inf Pln Sgts cse

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