An Cosantóir

www.military.ie the defence forces magazine | 19 We were met by a local militia leader who was to transport us to another base. As his vehicles approached, one struck a landmine. (The exercise utilised amputees to simulate casualties, which made it shockingly realistic.) Under the eye of Cpl Ward, the patrol medic, we treated the casualties, clearing around one who was located in a minefield just off the track, compiled and called in 9-liner and ATMIST reports, and extracted the casualties to a safe location for pick-up. We then moved heading for our next grid reference, which was beside a reservoir so we all knew what was com- ing next. On reaching the RV we were briefed before securing the location, constructing rafts with our backpacks, donning life-vests, and crossing the 120m freezing cold reservoir in two four-man detachments. On exiting the reservoir and putting on our now extremely heavy backpacks, we were informed that the area was compromised and that we had to move ASAP to a secure RV 4km away. When we arrived at the new location the heavy rain meant that any dry gear would be soaked within minutes, so we just changed our socks and headed for our next RV, another 8km away. There another militia man directed us a further 5km over a hill. By this point we had been on the move for almost 30 hours straight, with very little rest. Reaching our next RV we were given three 35kg ammuni- tion boxes to bring to the front line, which was 2km away and all uphill, where militia forces were running low on am- munition. This back-breaking and utterly gruelling 2km was the most severe part of the entire exercise. On handing over the ammunition we were immediately tasked with supplying two men for an AFV test (Pte Mori- arty and I) and two others (Sgt Ryan and Cpl Pilkington) to call in artillery fire on a number of targets. After this we were transported with a British team to a loca- tion where we were issued body armour and given a brief for a combined assault on a number of enemy locations. As we crossed the start line, live HMG fire and 60mm mortar rounds zipped over our heads. Summoned our remaining energy re- serves, we completed the assault in a matter of minutes. From there we were given a grid reference for the FIBUA training area near Sennybridge Camp. We set out hopeful that this was to be the finishing point but not allowing our concentration to drop, just in case… On arrival we were ushered into a large warm barn where other patrols sat around and, to our great relief, a colour sergeant told us that was it! After a quick kit inspection and the nicest egg sandwich and cup of tea that anyone could ever taste, we were on our way to another barn where a British colonel and major de- briefed us on every detail of the previous 48hrs. After one hour and 10 minutes of intense questioning on everything from the overall scenario, to the CTR, to the shura, to all our RVs and timings, the colonel congratulated us for reaching the end of Cambrian Patrol. We got our bags and made the short trip to Sennybridge Camp for a shower and some proper food. At 1000hrs with plasters on blisters, tired and sore, we made our way to the prize-giving ceremony. After a short wait, which seemed like an eternity, we were called front and centre to receive our result. We couldn't believe our ears when the announcement came: "The Irish Defence Forces are awarded... a gold medal." We tried our best to maintain our composure as we accepted our award from Brigadier Gamble, OC 160 (Wales) Bde. After five months of hard training, enduring 55km of arduous terrain, and having our military skills tested to the limits, not only had we successfully completed Cambrian Patrol 2014, but had been awarded a coveted gold medal. To put this achievement in perspective, almost one-third of the 119 teams failed to finish the course and only five (4%) received gold: the others were 1st Battalion, Duke of Lancaster's Regiment; Gurkha Sittang Company; 2nd Battal- ion, Royal Gurkha Rifles; and 8th Battalion, Garwhal Rifles (India). Our team's performance is a testament to the skill-set, physical fitness, determination, robustness and resilient nature of the Irish soldier and proves that we can compete against the best in the world. We are extremely grateful to the many people who as- sisted us along the way and without whose tireless hard work and effort it would have been impossible for us to perform to such a high standard.

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