An Cosantóir

8 | TOP OF THE CLASS F SGT GERRY SETRIGHT (ORD SCH) rom 27 June to 8 July, 23 officers and NCOs from nine EU nations attended an EU course on different aspects of C-IED (counter-improvised explosive device) search, with the Defence Forces sending three NCOs, Sgt Gerry Setright (Ord Sch) Cpl Justin McDonald (DFTC) and Cpl John Keaney (D Ord Office, DFHQ). The course, held in the Italian C-IED Centre of Excellence in Rome, was conducted by a UK defence and security company, staffed with experienced instructors of a very high standard. Students were instructed, practiced and tested in person and vehicle search; building and area rummage; vulnerable point and vulnerable area route check; compound search; planning search operations in the low-threat envi- ronment; and planning search training. The first week of the course was spent receiving instruction in current TTPs regarding an operational environment where IED is the major threat. This included both defensive C-IED (the ability to operate effectively in the environment) and offensive C-IED (proactive IED). The second week focused on student teach-back covering all classroom and field lessons, drills and skills, taught the previous week. This was followed by the test phase, in which each student had to prepare and deliver a classroom-based theoretical lesson, a ground-based practical lesson, and undergo a general test. All three Irish students acquitted themselves extremely well in all tests. The final phase of the course was a day-long, stand-type exercise, in which all areas of basic searching were dem- onstrated by the students. Selected students were chosen for key speaking roles, including all three Irish students. The final exercise was observed by senior European military officers, military attaches, and EDA personnel. At the end of the course an awards ceremony was held, at which Sgt Gerry Setright received the award for Best Student, a fantastic achievement given the standard of the students on the course. This also represented two-in-a-row for Irish students, with Capt Dave O'Loughlin receiving the award in 2010. Sgt Setright, a C-IED instructor in the Ordnance School, is a very experienced NCO, with over 30 years military experience, and has attended training courses in Afghanistan, Hungary, Italy, Norway, Poland and the UK. He has also served nine tours of duty overseas and in 2010 he was awarded NATO's Meritorious Service Medal (MSM) for 'Displaying outstanding leadership qualities and personal example.' All three Irish students found the training to be extremely beneficial and it has now been integrated into DF training and most recently C-IED Instructors Course and the 2nd International C-IED/IEDD Course training, both held in the Ordnance School, DFTC. Sgt Setright receiving his award in Rome Brig Gen Conor O'Boyle congratulates Sgt Setright with Lt Col Desmond Donagh OC Ord Sch, DFTC An Cosantóir November 2011 Instructors and students in Rome Sgt Setright instructs at home

• Cover