An Cosantóir

24 | BY CAPT GAVIN EGERTON (4 INF BN) RECCE Down South I n an age where information and up-to-date intelligence is key to success in the battlespace, the role of the recce soldier has never been more important. He/she is the battalion com- mander's eyes and ears, tasked with providing accurate and timely information by day or night, in all weathers, in all operations of war, up to 10km forward of friendly lines. During last October/November, 4 Inf Bn conducted a five-week recce course for 12 students from the battalion in Collins Bks, Cork. This comprised the four-week Infantry Basic Recce Course preceded by a prelim week involving map reading and practical navigation by day and night, weapons handling, support weapons characteristics, fieldcraft, patrolling and, of course, some battle PT. The course proper began with a written test on general military knowledge and a 12km battle fitness test, which all the students passed with 15 minutes to spare, showing a high level of battle fitness from the outset. The first week focused on low level patrol- ling skills and drills, and close target recce (CTR), with the students completing their first CTRs in Kilworth. The instructors conducted a walk-through, talk-through demonstration CTR by day showing how to best use the ground to approach an objective, and the safe distances to be maintained in order to avoid compromise. The information acquired during these first CTRs was impressive, reflecting high levels of enthusiasm and interest from all students. During the second week the students were required to build and occupy observation posts (OPs) over-looking target areas of interest (TAIs). Over a 48-hour period various serials of enemy activity, and long periods of inactivity, tested the students in observing, logging, and reporting via the SINCGARS. The routine was strict and concealment was maintained but due to a vigilant enemy, all OPs were compromised on the final morning and a casualty serial was included to exercise the students in their first aid and casevac drills. Week three saw the students conduct a river-crossing at the Fermoy reservoir and a patrolling exercise in the Galtee Moun- tains designed to test all the patrolling skills and drills acquired so far but under the context of a CTR and route recce. The students were ambushed on their withdrawal and required to conduct a casevac of a wounded enemy to rendezvous with an Air Corps EC-135 at Kilcoran range. This required the students to complete a MIST casevac report and transmit a NATO '9-Liner'1 to the mede- vac pilot prior to their arrival. Week three also saw the arrival of the dreaded night naviga- tion test that some students had feared. But, thanks to the de- tailed revision during the prelim week and some one-on-one coaching, all bar one student passed the test with ease. (One student passed all day and night navigation exercises and the test, showing a good natural ability.) An Cosantóir April 2012 www.dfmagazine.ie

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