An Cosantóir

www.military.ie the defence forces magazine | 23 Vox Pops cpl Mick crowley "I am a captain with Stobart Air ( formally Air Arran), having recently passed my command upgrade. I have 20 years' RDF service with a two-year break while work- ing abroad. I started with 23 Inf Bn, which became 34 Inf Bn in 2005, and in the last re-org I joined 1 CIS RDF element. I previ- ously worked as a ship's radio operator with BP and as a power generator engineer in civvie street, so I brought my own knowledge and experience to my new unit." sgMn sean 'Maverick' MulQueen "In 1987 I was working as a prison officer when I joined 23 Inf Bn. I have always loved orienteering and I've won a number of all-army titles over the years. I previ- ously served with 34 Inf Bn before joining 1 CIS Coy. I've been flying since 1988 and hold both a private helicopter pilot's licence and a commercial fixed-wing licence. In Civvie Street I'm a flight training instructor with Atlantic Flight Training Academy." sgt kiaran pHelan "I'm a carpenter by trade and have 21 years' service with the RDF. This is the second exercise we have taken part of this year. During Exercise 'Viking' we operated a 'wash station' in the G6 cell, where we electronically cleaned all memory sticks coming into the exercise HQ. It was a large exercise and a great experience for us; this exercise also provides valuable experience, espe- cially working alongside PDF troops." hopes to get additional drivers trained up later this year. The trailer is equipped with VHF SINCGARS and HF Harris radio equip- ment and it can also be used to power laptops that enable use of the Tactical Battlefield Management Systems (TBMS), which provide HF wide-band capability. Coy Sgt Foley explained that the Nordic Battle Group are currently using HF wide-band to send data home through the TBMS and that the RDF element of 1 CIS are the only RDF unit trained in HF wide-band at present. The CIS detachment was on duty 24/7 from Sunday to Friday, with three teams of four operating four-hours-on and eight-hours-off throughout the week. The only logistical support they needed was fuel for the generator and rations. Coy Sgt Foley introduced us to his baker's dozen, who hailed from a variety of backgrounds and held a wide range of skills. Team Two, who were on duty when we visited the CIS trailer, consisted of Sgt Mick Fitzgerald, a tillage and livestock farmer; Sgt Denis Kelleher, a dairy farmer who holds a BSc from UCC; Sgt Ian Black, a lecturer with the National Maritime College of Ireland who holds an MA in telecom- munications and engineering; and Sgt Tom Williams who has a security industry degree and also a degree in motor mechanics. Coy Sgt Foley says that at this time last year they couldn't have participat- ed in this exercise, as they spent 2013 training everyone up and testing them as CIS comms operators. The success- ful participation of many of these RDF personnel in Exercise 'Viking' in May testifies to the success of this training and is a tribute to both the PDF and RDF elements of the company fully buying into the Single-Force concept.

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