An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir March / April 2023 www.military.ie/magazine 10 | 1 BDE ARTY REGT OPERATIONAL CAPABILITIES CONCEPT BY LT ROBERT SHEEHAN PHOTOS BY AIRMAN SAM GIBNEY 1 Brigade Artillery Regiment recently completed their second OCC block of 2022. Over 100 troops from 1 Bde Arty Regt, supplemented by members of 2 Bde Arty Regt, deployed to Kilworth for the exercise. The regiment was assessed in a number of scenarios including IED and CBRN threats, deployment and actions of an artillery battery, as well as the units UAV and FST asset's ability to provide an intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR) element to the fire planning cell. The Operational Capabilities Concept (OCC), is a NATO evaluation aimed at testing the levels of interoperability with NATO doctrine of partner nations or potential contributors, to work with NATO forces. Over the last two years of preparation, members of 1 Bde Arty Regt have been learning about NATO STANAGS (Standard Agreements) and ensuring that 1 Bde Arty Regt personnel understood them and could operate under them. This resulted in the updating of individual's battle books, as numerous tac-aides for various combat scenarios had to be updated, from ones used within the Defence Forces, to the NATO standard tac- aides for the purpose of the exercise. 1 Bde Arty Regt completed a self-evaluation in June. This evaluation gave 1 Bde Arty Regt a keener focus for the NATO evaluation which took place between 8th and 10th Nov 2022. The self-evaluation was a close reflection of the NATO evaluation (NEL). For the NEL, there were over 20 NATO assessors from various countries led by Chief Instructor Lt Col Sam Mason of the US Navy, with an additional number of NATO personnel, who were on their evaluator course. 1 Bde Arty Regt began an intensive eight week training block from 19th Sep 2022. This eight week training block focused on a number of key aspects that would occur during the evaluation. Throughout the eight weeks, all ranks were retrained and reassessed in gun drill, fire support techniques, C-IED drills, landing point commander training, heli drills, CIS training, medical training and CBRN training. Each subject in this phase of training was tested through practical exercises and written assessments. A robust physical fitness routine was brought into the unit ahead of the exercise. The unit took part in physical training five times a week, split between circuit training, battle PT's and unit block runs. The exercise scenario had an Artillery Battery (Bty) from 1 Bde Arty Regt, known as P Bty, deployed on a fictional UN mandated mission to Kilworth or 'South Dasnu' as it was known for the exercise. Dasnu was a country affected by corruption and ethnic tension, a bitter civil war had recently ended but IDP camps were still coming under attack from a separatist militia known as the Dasnu Union Front (DUF). It was P Bty's mission to deploy to South Dasnu and to act as a deterrent against attacks on civilians in IDP camps by the DUF. The Bty was commanded by Comdt Kevin Baston in the FPC with Bty Capt Paul O'Donoghue deployed in the battery echelon and Command Post Officer Lt Joe Everett, along with Bty Sgt Stephen Kiely and six detachment commanders over their respective guns. The day before the exercise commenced, P Bty gathered in the gym in Collins Barracks Cork on 07th Nov 2022. This was the unit's first dealing with the evaluators as they conducted an in-depth kit and admin assessment. All personnel were checked for Army I.D., dog tags, soldiers book and all personal kit and mission essential equipment as per the ORBATT. Once the kit inspection was completed, P Bty was ready to deploy the following day. The long convoy of P Bty departed Collins Barracks Cork on 08th Nov 2022. The HQ element deployed to the Fire Planning Cell in Kilworth Camp, the Command Post and gun detachments deployed to the FOB area in Kilworth and the Fire Support Teams (FST) and UAV detachment deployed to OP's throughout the area. The first day was a busy day for all involved, as the guns The OCC Evaluator Flash. This flash was worn by all evaluators throughout the exercise. Exercise troop keeping a watchful eye on sentry duty

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