young guns | 11
BY WeSley BouRke PHOTOS BY aRMN NevIlle CoughlaN
support on ground-based operations, and air defence. Artillery gunners are trained to find hostile targets through the use of unmanned aerial systems (UAS), radars, and fire-support teams (FSTs). They also gather information using specialist digital com- munications systems, which are used to transmit target information and orders. The Corps can provide fire-support with heavy mortars, light guns, or missile systems. To become an officer in a field artillery
T
he Artillery Corps is a vital combat support element responsible for sup- plying the Defence Forces with fire-
most varied, challenging, and interesting courses in the Defence Forces. Before learn- ing how to command a gun line the YOs have to learn how to use the 25pdr ceremo- nial gun, the L118 and L119 light field-guns, and the Ruag 120mm heavy-mortar system. These guns come with a wide range of am- munition including high-explosive, proxim-
or air defence regiment a lieutenant must complete the 26-week Young Officers (YOs) course. "The Artillery YOs course gives them a firm foundation in all aspects of field gunnery and air defence," explained Capt Bernard Behan (Instr Arty Sch). "They will qualify as gun position officers through the acquisition of high-level, map-reading and survey skills. They will also qualify as command post officers, which means they can command and control a full battery of guns. They will also receive an introduction to FOO/FST training, which incorporates the use of the OP suite, battalion-level fire plan- ning and use of the battalion's OS assets. Also, they will be qualified to operate as air defence radar commanders with the Giraffe Mk IV radar for important on-island opera- tions or VIP state visits. The 26-week course is probably one of the
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