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Editorial
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Front Cover
A member of the 27 Inf Bn at the
2013 Recce Concentration. Photo
by: Cpl Paul Millar
For more Defence Forces
photographs, checkout: www.
flickr.com/photos/dfmagazine
ello and welcome to our first issue of 2014. This issue starts off with your photos everpresent in On Parade. In Focus features the recent Air Corps Robot of Destruction display
at the 50th Young Scientist Exhibit in the RDS and a recent CIS Riggers course with members of
the Fire Brigade. In our first feature Lt Tomás Caulfield brings us up to date on the progress of
the EU MP Training in Somalia. Our front cover story International Recce by Lts Jonathan Gray
and Donnacha Reilly, who both combine to tell us how the 27 Inf Bn winners of the 2013 Recce
Concentration exercise, and then represented the DF at the Cambrian Patrol Competition 2013
in the UK. In Caring For Veterans, Sgt Karl Byrne and I visited Leopardstown Park Hospital where
we met some very interesting and delightful UK veterans. Our next main feature is Value Added:
Change for the 21st Century by Comdt Peter Ott, on the largest third-level academic awards to
members of the Defence Forces in IT Carlow. In our Strategic Review, author Paul O'Brien writes
an informative piece on the modern trend Piracy on the High Seas. In Reserve by Lt Ross Wainer
features 4 and 5 Reserve Batteries of 2 Arty Regt conducting their FIBUA Training in Haulbowline.
In History, Col Bill Nott (retd) reminds us of the 37th Cadet Class visit to the US in 1963 who
performed at the funeral of JFK, and of their recent trip back for the 50th anniversary. In Sport, Cpl
Robbie Daniels writes about a recent 3 Inf Bn mountaineering training exercise in The Adventure
Begins. Plus we have all our regular features – World Strategic Picture, Tac-Aide, Gear Review,
Noticeboard, Reviews and What I Do.
At this time I would like to say a fond farewell to our longest-serving member, Wesley Bourke.
After 12 years as the magazine's journalist he has taken early retirement with over 19 years
service with the Defence Forces. He has submitted many articles yet to feature so this is not
the last you will hear from him. On behalf of all at An Cosantóir I wish him the very best in his
future accomplishments.
Sgt Wayne Fitzgerald - Editor
Note: Articles are currently being sought for the 2014 edition of the Defence Forces Review. Those interested in
contributing should contact Comdt Neil Nolan (C&S Sch, Mil Col) at Phone: +353 45 44 5114 or Ext 5114 or
email: neil.nolan@defenceforces.ie
EMPA Awards
Recently I met up with author and military historian Paul O'Brien,
and presented him with the prestigious European Military Press
Associations (EMPA) Best Article 2013 award for his article in An Cosantóir May 2013, At the Gates of Hell – Mali. Photo: Sgt Karl Byrne
Congratulations
Pictured is Comdt Damien Coakley, EO Provost Marshal's Office,
DFHQ, being congratulated by the Garda Commissioner on his
graduation from the Garda Senior Investigating Officers Course in
the Garda College in November 2013. Photo: Garda Training College
graduation
Pictured at their recent graduation night are (L/R): Sgt Colin McNamara (MP Group, DFTC) who received a Certificate in Photography
and Sgt Mick McGrath (Office of PM and D MP Corps, DFHQ) who
received a BA in Photographic Media from Griffith College Dublin.
Photo: Sgt Mick McGrath
Military Service Pensions Project
Pictured are An Taoiseach Enda Kenny, retired Taoiseach Liam
Cosgrave, son of Easter Rising veteran WT Cosgrave, and Comdt
Pádraic Kennedy, OiC of Military Archives, at the launch of the Military Service Pensions Project, which took place on the 16th January
2014 in the GPO. Photo: Cpl Neville Coughlan, PR Branch
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