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Your Defence Forces Newsletter Military Service (1916-1923) Pensions Collection T he 2nd release of the military service pensions collection was launched this october in Dublin. the release consists of files relating to over 1,000 veterans from easter week 1916 to 30 september 1923. Included are documents relating to 10 veterans of Easter Week, notably the Dependants Claim Files of Sean Mac Der- mott (MacDiarmada),William Staines and Sean Furlong. Records relating to Sean Hyde, Liam Lynch, Robert Briscoe, John Joseph Carr and Patrick Moylett and other senior officers of the IRA in service during the War of Independence and Civil War continue to be released as part of the collection. Also featured is a surviving intelligence file dealing with the activities of Denis "Sonny" O'Neill during the Civil War and beyond, shedding new light on operations and tactics by "irregular" forces in West Cork during the Civil War. These records are just a small part of the extensive material that is being released. For more information, visit: www.militaryarchives.ie 2014 mt elBrus expeDitioN P ictured is Gnr Brian Galloghy (left) and Gnr Greg Mulligan (right), 2AR, summiting Europe's highest moun- tain of 5642m, Mt Elbrus. Lasting two weeks in July, the 12 member expedition was led by renowned mountaineer, Pat Falvey. The climb was Gnr Mulligans first foray into high altitude climbing, but will not be his last: "Next on the cards for me will hopefully either be Mt Aconcagua in Argentina standing at 6,960m (22,837ft) or Mt Vinson, Antarctica standing at 4,892m (16,050ft)... my ambition in the coming years is to complete the challenge of all 7 summits." DF COMbinED CORps TRAininG TEAM sOuTh suDAn P ictured are members of the combined Corps (Engr/Ord/ Med) training team who have recently finished the 2nd South Su- dan National Police Service (SSNPS) Conventional Munitions Disposal (CMD) Course in Juba, South Sudan. The CMD initiative as a whole has been a considerable success, so expect an in-dept article in a forth- coming An Cosantóir. SD No.1 Upgrade A J4 & Ordnance Branch col- laborative project is currently underway to upgrade the SD No 1 uniform for other ranks. As part of this project, they have initiated a number of surveys to assess the opinion of DF members as to the options available. Part two of the survey process is available from this October. The five minute survey can be accessed by the following link: https://ikon.defenceforces.net/ groups/clothingequipgroup/Lists/ Platoon attack comPetition C ongratulations to 7 Inf Bn who recently won both the DF Platoon and Section Attack competi- tions, which were run for the first time since 1999. Pictured with the trophies are, (l-r) Sgt Steven- son, Lt McMahon and Sgt Grey. Seven units competed in the fight to be crowned champions of the DF. The competition was held in June in the the Glen of Imall. Marks were awarded for all the stages of a platoon quick attack, but with a deadline of 2hrs 15mins, including delivering orders, all participants were under enormous pressure. The 7 Bn preparations were an example of the Single Force Concept in action with training assets integrated into one combined effort to win the competitions. Platoon Commander, Lt. Martin McMahon had this to say about the training and the result, "With a winning PDF Platoon and RDF Section, the 7 Inf Bn highlighted the Single Force Concept in the DF. Both teams began training early in the year, starting with the basic soldiering skills and progressed on to perfecting Platoon and Section level tactics respec- tively. While the two teams trained separately, joint PDF/RDF NCO workshops were held at Bn level to clarify working SOPs, drills and tactics. This close cooperation and intense training lead to the 7 Inf Bn winning all available prizes on the day. Furthermore the speed and controlled aggression of the NCOs and men was the key to the success of the Platoon on the day."

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