An Cosantóir

www.military.ie the defence forces magazine | 19 The main training objective was to deploy a hybrid engineer company organised along conventional lines and capable of performing a full spectrum of operations for a 96-hour period. This would benchmark their capabilities, training and equipment in a realistic, multi-role scenario, and give them the chance to practice providing support to an infantry/cavalry force in a defen- sive operation. The engineers' main tasks were to assist with mobility, including erecting an infantry assault bridge and a medium girder bridge (MGB); coun- ter-mobility, comprising route denial with wire obstacles, cratering and field fortifications; and survivability, through the erection and mainte- nance of a brigade water point, which provided clean drinking water from a river. The construction of a HESCO bastion-type tactical command post on Cemetery Hill was an- other task undertaken by the engineers. This will remain as a legacy on Cemetery Hill and will be a welcome training aid for future exercises. The 7 Inf Bn with an integrated RDF platoon provided most of the exercise troops. Apart from providing security for the engineers, the exercise troops were required to 'defend, deny and dominate' within their area of responsibil- ity. This was achieved by the construction of entrenched defensive positions along Cemetery Hill and conducting various patrols and tasks throughout the exercise. HMEE The High Mobility Engineering Excavator (HMEE) is a centre- mounted, backhoe loader for use on rough terrain and unpre- pared roads. It is primarily used for excavating and earthmoving in support of mobility and survivability operations. It is capable of self-deployment by road and the loader end is fitted with a manual quick hitch and hydraulic self-levelling, which maintains shovel angle during loading. It is also fitted with an air system for tyre inflation. Other military forces currently deploying the HMEE include the UK, Sweden, Germany, New Zealand, Australia, and the US, the latter of which operates over 800 of the vehicles. Attachments purchased with the vehicle include rock breaker, pole driver and torque wrench. The Defence Forces has purchased the theatre entry model with STANAG Protection Level 3B. The cab is constructed of rolled-steel sections, backed by 9.5mm of armoured steel with additional floor and roof plates of 6.44 mm hard steel. The win- dows, or transparent armour, comprise 57mm-thick, laminated- glass panels. Driver safety is of high priority, with a blast at- tenuation seat and spall liner, and a belly plate of 10mm armour providing additional blast protection to the operator. weight: 16000kg. top speed: 88kph. Power: Cummins 190hp engine. Selectable all-wheel-drive system. BERRO 4500 BRACKisH wAtER PURifiCAtiON sYstEM The Berro 4500 is a self-sufficient, vehicle-towed, water purifica- tion system with the capacity to produce up to 4,500 litres of safe drinking water per hour from 6,000 litres of water drawn from viable sources. This is done through a reverse osmosis method in four modules contained inside the system. It can be operated by two to four personnel and has been used on overseas missions, including in as Liberia where safe drinking water was of upmost importance for mission survival.

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