An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir Dec 2015 / Jan 2016 www.dfmagazine.ie 22 | by COY SGT DAVID O'CONNOR, CMU 2 BDE – SOME PHOTOS FROM 2014 E xercise Arduous Serpent is the british Army's annual medical services tactical training exercise. It is a competition-based exercise involving the evaluation of both military and medi- cal skills. It takes place at different locations each year and this year's three-day competition took place in July in thetford in the south-east of England. the Defence Forces entered a team for the third time, having previously competed in 2012 and 2014. The aim of the exercise is to test personnel in leadership, com- mand and control, and the military and medical skills required for current, contingent and future operational environments. This year's competition had 22 teams, drawn from both regular and reserve medical units of the UK and Canadian militaries and the Irish Defence Forces. Teams had to comprise of 10 personnel and support staff and required to have both male and female members. Each team could include up to three non-medical personnel. From the outset of our training for the event we set clear objec- tives: maintaining the high standards set by previous DF teams; trying to progress one step further by claiming the top spot; inte- grating CMU RDF personnel into the team to prepare for future RDF participation in the event; and to gain additional knowledge and experience by having our support personnel assist in the run- ning of the competition stands. The DF team comprised Capt Gerry Waldron (CMU 2 Bde), Sgt Philip Green (CMU 2 Bde), Cpl Paula Burcheal (CMU DFTC), Cpl Eric Hurley (CMU 2 Bde), Cpl James Condron (CMU 2 Bde), Cpl Seán O'Sullivan (CMU RDF), Cpl Brian Corrigan (Med Sch, DFTC), Cpl Paul Burke (CMU HQ), Pte Adam Boland (CMU HQ), Pte Johnny O'Hare (CMU 2 Bde), Tpr Clare Durkin (2 Cav Sqn), Pte Kelly Smith (7 Inf Bn), and Coy Sgt David O'Connor (CMU 2 Bde) who acted as team manager. Team preparation was thorough and was based on a training programme developed from the experience gained by the teams that had participated in 2012 and 2014. Numerous DFTC schools and external units were involved in the training and their instruction proved invaluable. These included Med Sch (medical training), Ord Sch (foreign weapons) MP Sch (vehicle and POW search) Engr Sch (mine awareness and CIED) Sgt Nugent CMU 2 bde (CBRN) and 2 Bde Ord Det (tent erection). Team members also worked on their personal fitness and basic military skills, including patrol drills, care under fire, field craft and CASEVAC drills. This year's exercise theme was the end of WWII, with scenarios based on the Battle of Berlin. Consequently, our preparations included a lot of FIBUA training. Phase 1 of the exercise began in a staging and reception area with equipment checks, exercise and safety briefings, where any kit deficiencies or variations from the exercise equipment check list would result in team penalties. We completed this phase without any penalties and a maximum score. From the reception area the team deployed to a patrol harbour where, later that night, team captains were briefed and received orders before the team received their first FRAGO at 0430hrs. Phase 2 began at first light, with each team navigating to either an urban or green-field training area. All movement had to be con- ducted tactically and tight timelines had to be strictly adhered to. Each team navigated a route of approximately 20-25kms on foot, completing tasks at 10 stands throughout the day. Each stand consisted of a military task with multiple elements (for example, securing a HLZ and evacuating a casualty under fire) and lasted 45 The Irish team received a FRAGO.

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