An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir February 2015 www.dfmagazine.ie 18 | cAMbRiAn pATROl by LT JOE GLENNON, 6 INF BN I n the Defence Forces, the reconnaissance role is primarily as- signed to infantry recce platoons and cavalry squadrons. To progress standards, the Infantry Weapons Wing (IWW) began conducting an annual All-Army Recce Competition in 2011. Since 2013 the winning unit also gets to send a team to represent the Defence Forces in the prestigious Cambrian Patrol, the British Army's gruelling 48-hr test of patrolling and military skills. Cambrian Patrol is a long-range (50km+) patrolling exercise con- ducted in Wales, the completion of which requires physical fitness, endurance, teamwork and determination, combined with excellent infantry skills. Teams that manage to cross the finish line, and many do not, are awarded a certificate, while teams who have impressed may be awarded a gold, silver or bronze medal. In 2013 a team from 27 Inf Bn set the bar very high, returning with a hard-earned, well-deserved silver medal. Having won the 2014 All-Army competition, 6 Inf Bn had the privi- lege of representing the Defence Forces in Cambrian Patrol 2014, alongside 118 other teams, mainly British but also from the military forces of Brazil, Kazakhstan, Oman, Georgia, Nepal, Norway, New Zealand, Poland, Pakistan, Czech Republic, France, Denmark, Austra- lia, Italy, Holland, India, Canada and Estonia. With the assistance of the IWW, Sp Coy, 6 Inf Bn, developed a five-month training plan to ensure that the team was trained to the highest possible level, under the tutelage of Sgt Derek Hussey (6 Inf Bn). The team consisted of myself (Lt Glennon), Sgt Ryan, Cpl Pilkington, recently promoted Cpl Ward, and Ptes Moriarty, Dunne, Sherrif, and Loonam. Pte Maloney and Cpl Glynn travelled as subs while also providing logistical support. Lt Gordon (IWW) travelled as team captain. At 0230hrs on 23rd October we were in a mini-bus navigating through a torrential downpour to a remote, isolated farmyard to begin one of the toughest exercises any soldier could encounter in their military career. With kit and comms checks completed and orders received, we were ushered into a forested area to begin our battle prep. As I began to prepare my orders, Sgt Ryan divided up our additional equipment, Cpl Pilkington worked on a detailed route card, and the rest of the team constructed a detailed model of the vast Brecon Beacons. At 0930hrs orders were issued for the next 12-14 hours. Our initial task was to conduct a close-target reconnaissance (CTR) of an enemy location followed by a link-up with a friendly forces agent to submit our report and receive further instructions. We gladly hoisted our 80-100lb backpacks, eager to get going. After 15km of boggy, steep terrain we arrived at our FRV from where we launched our CTR teams. With sketches drawn, bearings taken and information obtained, we made our way back to the FRV and then on to a lay-up point to complete our patrol report and have some well-earned food. We met our agent, who debriefed us and directed us towards four vehicles that were going to transport us to a forward operat- ing base (FOB) for a shura (Arabic for 'consultation') with the local militia commander. We arrived at 0200hrs and met 'Major Zukov' who required a CBRN lesson for his troops; Cpl Ward and Pte Mori- arty gladly obliged. Meanwhile, Sgt Ryan had been called away to receive orders for the next leg of our patrol. We moved off, under the command of Sgt Ryan, into the dark- ness and rain heading for our next RV. En route we were to carry out another CTR to confirm the presence or not of enemy. We walked throughout the night across extremely demanding terrain and arrived at our next RV at 0800hrs having confirmed enemy equip- ment in the target area but no troop movements.

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