An Cosantóir

34 | what i do WILL LAWLER CORPORAL INFANTRY WEAPONS WING, MIL COL, DFTC I joined the Defence Forces in July 2000, originally serving in 2 Inf Bn for 9 years, I really enjoyed my time there, but working here is very interesting. I have served overseas with UNMEE (Eirtrea), 2 x UNMIL (Liberia) and the 38 Inf Gp KFOR (Kosovo). The primary function of the Infantry Weapons Wing is to train instructors for the De- fence Forces in Infantry Support Weapons, these include the .5 HMG, 60mm and 81mm mortars, 84mm anti-tank rifle and the Javelin anti-tank missile. I am an instructor on the .5 HMG, Javelin anti-tank missile, 60mm and 81mm mortars. Members of the DF would know some of these as the Direct Fire Instructors course (.5 HMG and Javelin antitank), or the Machine Gun Instructors course (.5 HMG and SFG). Once qualified, instructors then go back to their respective Brigade Training Centres/Units and run their courses. We also run the Reconnaissance Commanders courses, Sniper Instructors course, and the Level 3 Armoured Fighting Vehicles Recognition course. The latter is the highest level that can be achieved and this can only be tested by us. We are also responsible for the updating and writing of weapons manuals and syllabi. This makes sure there is the same standard throughout the Army. Because we are the primary centre for infan- try weapons training we run and judge all the Army competitions. We are also the primary centre for training of Live Fire Tactical Training (LFTT). All LFTT instructors, (all officers, Sgts and above) are trained here and all exercises are coordinated through us. In order to keep up with best safety practises LFTT instructors are regularly brought back to us for requalification. This is very important due to the intensity and high safety parameters for LFTT exercises. I personally instruct on the Direct Fire Instructors course, and the Mortar "I love my job here, we are at the top of our fields and are setting the standard for the whole Army" Instructors course. Incorporated into that we have some really cool equip- ment which has really improved the capabilities of these weapons. On the mortars for example we use what is called a MorFire Controller System. This can be linked to the Sincgar radios, LH40C Laser Range Finder, and Gar- man Global Position- ing System (GPS). The Mortar Fire Controller, who is in the Observa- tion Post calling in the fire, uses the MorFire to calculate the targets. The Sincgar allows him to send the information via a text message to the Command Post Operator (CPO) on the gun line. The CPO calculates and sends via the Command Post Control Unit down to the Monitor Dis- play Unit on each mortar, this is a computer screen in front of the No. 1 man on the mortars. The system is very fast and cuts out all the shouting that we used to have to do on the gun line. The No. 1 simply hits Apply, Acknowledge and Fire. Very Fast, Very Efficient. An Cosantóir September 2011 WHAT I DO

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