An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir April 2016 www.dfmagazine.ie 6 | SAAC/OperAtiOnAl reAdineSS Pictured are some of the 140 Gunners of all ranks from 2 Arty Regt who held a very successful SAAC/Operational Readiness camp in TIS Kilworth Camp from 8th – 12th February last. The very comprehensive programme covered a diversity of military skills such as APWT on the rifle range, pistol, GPMG, grenade, CBRN, the IT test and concluding with LFTT. The programme also included after hour briefs on safety, social media and contractual obligations of regimental personal. Photo: RSM Noel O'Callaghan, 2 Arty Regt COS viSitS Aiken BkS DF COS Vice Admiral Mark Mellett DSM visited Aiken Bks recently, and called in to the Michael McNeela branch of ONE Drop-in Centre to meet and to chat to some of the ONE members. He also signed the visitors book. Photo: Jim Mc Eneaney, Chairman Michael McNeela branch lt COl AdriAn JACOBS Lt Col Adrian Jacobs is pictured with Brig Gen Joe Mulligan, GOC DFTC who congratulated him at his retirement function in Ceannt Officers Mess recently. Photo: Capt Patrick T. Sheehan Retd nS reCruit ClASS 'Sweeney' On Thursday 25th February 2016, Recruit Class 'Sweeney' had their passing out parade to mark the culmination of their training and successful entry into the Naval Service at the rank of Ordinary Seaman. The 39 recruits are drawn from 14 different counties, 2 of whom are originally from the UK. They range in age from 18 to 27 and have completed numerous modules during their 5 months extensive training, including weapons training, foot drill, arms drill, navigational training, medical training and of course seamanship. There were special awards given for Best Shot, Best Kit and Best Recruit. The class is named 'Sweeney' after Ted Sweeney, the Irish Coast Guardsman and Blacksod lighthouse keeper who on 3rd June 1944 delivered a weather forecast by telephone from Co Mayo's most westerly point. The report convinced General Dwight D Eisenhower to delay the D-Day invasion for 24 hours, potentially averting a military disaster and changing the course of WW2. Photo: Sgt Damian Faulkner, 105 Sqn, AC the nAtiOnAl wAr MeMOriAl GArdenS The National War Memorial Gardens in Islandbridge were visited by members of the DFTC on 23rd February as part of an educational and informative excursion to Dublin's battlefield locations in a run up to the Centenary Celebrations. Photo: Cpl Derek O'Bryan, Ord Grp, DFTC AuStriAn thereSiAn MilitAry ACAdeMy Recognising that diversity in decision making leads to more comprehensive planning, the Inf Sch, Mil Col and the Austrian Theresian Military Academy conduct an annual exchange of instructors to share ideas, and experience each other's decision making processes. Pictured is an Austrian Junior Staff Officers' Course student receiving instruction on the Irish DF Military Decision Making Process (MDMP). The Austrian Capts and Majs used the Irish MDMP to devise their plan and deliver an OPORD. Photo: Capt Gavin Egerton, Instr, Offr Trg Wing, Mil Col, DFTC

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