An Cosantóir

17 OPERATIONAL CAPABILITIES OF 1 BAR while provided with security and clear terrain by the other FST crews, who had deployed around the LZ area) and transported back to Kilworth Camp. Prior to this, 1 BAR and 2 BAR personnel involved in the serial completed a heli-drills course in Baldonnel with the Aer Corps, in preparation for the exercise. On the last day of the exercise, after being reported to the FPC, the appearance of an enemy mortar position resulted in the need for a simulated precision airstrike, called in by one of the three FST teams. The strike was simulated by the flyover of two PC12 aircraft. Both the IED strike and precision strike included simulated explosions with the use of demolitions, planted by Ordnance personnel involved in the exercise. Once completed, a battle damage assessment (BDA) was completed by UAV crew Capt. Phil Dowling and Sgt. Steven Loughnane to ensure that the position had been destroyed. Throughout the exercise, the Regiments UAV asset was continuously able to provide an up-to-date image of the area to the FPC. The final serial included a quick action, with a fire mission being called while the battery was enroute to GPO (Gun Position Officer) Lt. Jack Sheahan's alternative deployment location. The gun battery was required to deploy the guns in a matter of minutes on the roadside after receiving a fire mission from the fictional 'POLCON' (Polish Contingent). This was the last serial of the exercise and signalled the end of the self-evaluation. The Regiment then returned in convoy to Collins Barracks for debrief and end-ex. The Operational Capability Concept Evaluation and Feedback Programme (OCC E&F) is a practical multipurpose military tool that serves as a vehicle for a closer operational relationship between NATO and potential contributors/partners of NATO. The programme is one of a number of partnership programmes the Irish Defence Forces is involved in, under the Partnership for Peace initiative that Ireland became a member of, in 1999. Ireland joined OCC in 2016, a programme which has been seen already, to accelerate Ukraine's military operational ability and is cited as one of the reasons for their sophistication and relative success against Russian forces in recent months. A similar OCC Evaluation was conducted with 1 ACS, the Armoured Cavalry Squadron, in 2017, in which the unit was tasked to conduct an exercise under which to be assessed. In essence, the programme led by Joint Force Commander (JFC) Brunssum since 2012, assesses a military's capability for inter-operability between its units and within individual units. The first part of evaluation, self-evaluation, which took place this month, tested 1 BAR's element's ability to operate efficiently with each other. As well as actual doctrine and tactics, focus was put on reporting procedures, and the unit's ability to communicate, to the command element (in this case, the FPC) and readily and promptly act. This exercise, however, is only the first part of the NATO-led assessment. The next exercise is to take place in November of this year, and this will be a NATO evaluation (NEL Level 1), which the Artillery Regiment are continuously preparing for. The contents of the exercise will be similar, as the evaluation is now completed by members of NATO and not the unit itself. As during the exercise this month, a team of assessors comprised of NATO nations will evaluate the unit's ability to operate in different scenarios and capability to communicate and follow correct procedures in all situations. Feedback and the assessment of the exercise completed at the beginning of this month, will be taken forward to the exercise in November, as the 1st Brigade Artillery Regiment now focus on the upcoming exercise and continue to train for their evaluation. 105mm Light Field Gun Being Rotated for Firing Camouflage and Concealment of Vehicles Preparing to Launch UAV Planning Cell Communication Cell

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