An Cosantóir

mine warfare and mine clearance as well as explosive demolitions. Over recent years a procurement programme has significantly increased the level of detection equipment available and ESSC teams are equipped with a range of metal and ferromagnetic detectors as well as ground-penetrating radars. The Multi-Mode Threat Detector (MMTD) enables the detection of explosives, narcotics, toxic industrial chemicals, and chemical warfare agents. The new MineWolf MW240 mechanical mine flail was also utilised on the course as teams must be aware of procedures for battlefield area clearance in both the military and humanitarian role. Team members are protected during operations by a number of levels of PPE, ranging from combat body armour and helmet to light-weight de-mining suits, up to the maximum protection level of the EOD 8 suit. Learning to operate and carry out arduous tasks in PPE is all part of the course. The course culminated in a two-week exercise where the teams were tasked on a daily basis to carry out different types of operations. The exercise began with low-risk, offensive searches such as vehicle checkpoints, and building and area searches. Information gathered during these searches led to the suspicion that a VIP would be the target of an IED attack during a conference held in the DFTC and consequently a defensive search of the venue was conducted. From this point onwards the exercise entered the high-threat phase where the subversive group had issued a direct threat against DF personnel. The two teams were tasked with conducting a route clearance operation along a route where a number of IEDs had been buried to target DF patrols. They also responded to several incidents where requests had been received from EOD teams to isolate and clear paths to suspected devices. One of these incidents occurred near the 'border' of a neighbouring country, which required the team to liaise with security forces on the opposite side of the border while carrying out their search operation procedures. Overall, the consensus was that the exercise was a physically and mentally challenging, but rewarding, end to the course as the students were given the opportunity to put into practice the TTPs that had been taught over the previous five weeks and were able to see that the techniques and equipment worked well in realistic scenarios. The students will now return to their units where they will form part of the unit ESSC Team, ready to deploy when called on in the ATCP role at home, or overseas protecting our troops from the IED threat. The newly search qualified personnel will get an opportunity in early autumn to hone their skills at the biannual search exercise conducted by the Corps of Engineers for ESSC teams in all formations. | 17 www.military.ie the defence forces magazine

• Cover