An Cosantóir

14 | Day one (May 30th ): After a day of orders and preparation in the Curragh, the company moves at 1800hrs in convoy to Knock Airport, Co Mayo to secure the installation’s perimeter prior to the arrival of a diplomatic team in the early hours of the next morning for peace talks. Company in place before midnight. Distance covered: 210k. Day two (May31st): As the diplomats arrive by helicopter around 0200hrs, the company deploys a riot squad to stop protesters from gaining access to the airport and from impeding a convoy with officials going to the peace talks from leaving. Following scuffles, the protesters are pushed back and the convoy departs safely. Protesters disperse and the company resumes its perimeter in defence by 0400hrs. The rest of the day is spent preparing for a company night attack on a suspect enemy camp in the Ox Mountains, Co Sligo, again in the early hours of the next morning. An Army Ranger Wing OP observes the camp, while an engineering team checked roads and bridges en route to the target. Using helicopters, a three-man team is parachuted close to the camp to mark a detailed route in for the company, while a forward artillery observer team is droped close-by. By 1900hrs, the main body of the company departs for the attack, while the combat service support elements follow on later. Under complete darkness using night vision goggles, the company is driven as close as possible to the enemy camp before the company dismounts from its Mowags for a short march to a forming up point. Distance covered: 40k. Day three (June 1st ): At 0200hrs, following a pre-arranged artillery strike, the company successfully attacks the enemy camp. As dawn breaks, the company rendezvous with its Mowags and goes through a rolling replenishment taking on ammunition, food, water and fuel on the way to Carnagh Camp, Co Roscommon, where they undergo a full replenishment. Distance covered: 130k. Arrive in Carnagh by 1000hrs and the company takes on fuel and troops rest, prior to a move to take part in a cordon and snatch operation to capture a key enemy leader in the foothills of the Galty Mountains, Co Tipperary. Recce teams are deployed by helicopter to locate the enemy’s camp and the company leaves Carnagh at 1900hrs and arrives at a hide close to Mitchelstown, Co Cork just before midnight. Distance covered: 180k. Day four (June 2nd ): From the hide, the Company at 0200hrs moves to positions close to the enemy camp and cordon it off, while a snatch platoon moves in. Just before dawn, the enemy position is stormed and their leader is captured and moved under guard to Kilworth Camp, where he is handed over to the civil authorities. Following breakfast, the company heads back to the Curragh Camp, Co Kildare to hand in weapons, stores and to clean vehicles. Distance covered: 200k. Day five (June 3rd ): B Company crews assisted by the students continue to clean and ready the Mowags, before they are garaged. An Cosantóir July 2011

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