An Cosantóir

www.military.ie the defence forces magazine | 23 keeping the Limbers By WESLEy BOuRKE PhOTOS By CPL NEVILLE COuGHLAN AND A/B DAVEy JONES I n an age when technology changes at a phenomenal rate, keeping up with the requirements of a dynamic defence and security sector is a challenge. Whether operating in conflict areas or on peacekeeping opera- tions, the military needs to take a holistic approach. A soldier in today's Defence Forces must train for the harsh- est combat conditions but at the same time be able to sling his rifle and offer a hand of friendship. Most modern conflicts are asymmetric, where con- ventional organisation and sophisticated equipment can sometimes prove ineffective against insurgents employing unconventional tactics and using cheap, homemade IEDs (improvised explosive devices). Deployability, flexibility and versatility are, therefore, key fundamentals in the organisa- tion and equipping of modern military units. Recent Defence Forces re-organisations have brought dramatic changes, with some units disbanded and oth- ers created. Personnel, permanent and reserve, have found themselves having to start a completely new cycle of training. None has experienced more change than the Artillery Corps, where the traditional concept of separate air defence (AD) and field artillery regi- ments has been replaced with a multi-role regimental structure that comprises field, AD, and surveillance and target acquisition (STA) sub-units. Late last year An Cosantóir travelled to Custume Bks, Athlone, to find out how the newly-formed 2 Arty Regiment operates then under the command of Lt Col Ray yorke. Under the recent re-organisations 1 ADR; 1, 2 & 4 Fd Arty Regts; and 31, 54 & 62 Res Fd Arty Regts were amalgamated to form 1 Arty Regt, in Collins Bks, Cork, and 2 Arty Regt, in Custume Bks, Athlone. As well as incorporating field artillery, air defence and STA, these units are also fully integrating their reserve personnel in line with the 'Single-Force' concept. The two new units are identical, comprising Regt HQ; HQ Bty; 1 Bty (field gun and mortar); 2 Bty (AD and mor- tar); 3 Bty (STA); 4 Bty (Reserve field gun and mortar) and 5 Bty (Reserve field gun and mortar). The vast majority of the PDF personnel in 2 Arty Regt came from 4 Fd Arty Regt, including Lt Col Ray yorke and RSM Noel O'Callaghan, who are the new unit's commander and sergeant major respectively. Under their direction 2 Arty Regt has undertaken a massive up-skilling, re-training and integration programme, in order to deliver the capability requirements of the new organisation. Lt Col yorke explained how the new structures have provided a challenge for his personnel: "The STA bat- Rolling Along

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