An Cosantóir

18 | Background T he role of reconnaissance is to provide timely and accurate information by day or night, in all weather and in all phases of war. In the Defence Forces this capability has been primarily assigned to infantry recce platoons and cavalry squadrons. To assess the progressing of standards in this area, an allArmy recce competition is conducted annually by the Infantry Weapons Wing (IWW). With the first competition taking place in 2011 and won by a team from 1 S Bde's Nordic Battle Group (NBG). Since then the competition has been well attended with honours being claimed by 4 Cav Sqn in 2012 and 27 Inf Bn in by Lt Jonathan Gray (IWW) Main photos: 27 Inf Bn Team during 2013. As an incentive last year's winning unit the 2013 all-Army recce competition by Cpl Paul Millar would send a team to the prestigious Cambrian Patrol 2013, the British Army's annual gruelling 48hr exercise to test patrolling skills. Teams that manage to cross the finish line and many do not, are awarded a certificate and teams who also manage to impress may be awarded a bronze, silver or gold award. Last October, 27 Inf Bn took on the task of competing the Cambrian Patrol 2013, along with other foreign competitors including the US, Canada, The Netherlands, Germany, India, Pakistan, and others. In conjunction with the IWW, Sp Coy, 27 Inf Bn developed a four-month training plan to ensure that the team were trained to the highest standard across a wide variety of military skills, under the tutelage of Sgt's Adam Gallagher and Alan O'Reilly, both 27 Inf Bn. The recce section consisted of Lt Donnacha Reilly (Sec Comd), Cpl Stephen Flanagan (Sec 2i/c) and Ptes McEvoy, O'Connor, McGuigan, Ferris, Erasmus and Pentony. Cpl McKenna and Pte Murphy travelled as subs and provided logistical support. 27 Inf Bn concentrated their training on improving physical fitness, delivering orders, model building, dismounted close-combat skills, obstacle-crossing drills, first aid and casevac procedures. With the IWW giving specialist training in IED/minefield clearance drills, POW handling, helicopter drills, media handling, and artillery target indication procedures - all training was conducted carrying weight (min 60lbs). The team was thoroughly prepared to represent the DF for the first time in this prestigious international exercise. International Recce Competition Cambrian Patrol 2013 By Lt Donnacha Reilly (27 Inf Bn) At 0100hrs on 15th October we loaded our kit into our mini bus destined for Devil's Bridge, the RV and start point of the international exercise. As patrol commander I led call sign '6-1 Romeo' into location at 0430hrs. With kit checks and orders next, rain misted down as we went to work preparing a map model of the much-dreaded Brecon Beacons area. Cpl Flanagan received some admin instructions and distributed ammo while navigators Ptes McEvoy and O'Connor planned our route. An Cosantóir February 2014 www.dfmagazine.ie I began orders at 0800hrs, laying out the next 24hrs of the 48hr patrol. Our orders were a close target reconnaissance (CTR) of a possible enemy position followed by a link-up with friendly forces (FF). After a short drive to the start line we gladly hoisted our 75-90lbs rucksacks onto our backs. 15km later after traversing around various valleys and mountains we were at our objective. A vantage point was established, sketches drawn and information gathered on the enemy. CTR completed, we carried on narrowly avoiding search teams

• Cover