An Cosantóir October 2016 www.dfmagazine.ie
18 |
undoF peacekeepers
display their skills
by CPL IAN KEOGH
PhotoS CAPT TIM
CUNNINGHAM (BOTH
HQ 52 INF GP, UNDOF)
Due mainly to operational
commitments, preparation
was not as smooth as hoped
for. However, the team worked
hard, studying, practicing and
training for the competition as
best they could, while receiving
assistance from other mem-
bers of 52 Inf Gp whose exper-
tise in the different disciplines
helped improve their knowl-
edge base. An extra obstacle
was encountered when Pte
Kennedy received an injury and
had to be replaced at the last
minute by Pte O'Hara.
Four teams, representing
NepCon, IndiCon, FijiBatt,
and Force Reserve Company
(Ireland) gathered in Khetarpal
Hall on the first morning for
the opening address from Chief
of Staff UNDOF, who wished all
competitors good luck. Then
the competition began.
Our first stand was the
combat life saver, where the
scenario involved responding
to multiple casualties due to
a mortar strike. The team had
to triage the casualties; treat
them; present a 9-Liner report;
and evacuate the casualties.
The team performed excel-
lently, remaining cool and
calm, treating the patients,
working as a team and work-
ing through the evolving
scenario that contained a few
twists and turns designed to
increase the pressure. Their
95% mark at the end showed
I
n August UNDoF peacekeepers
took part in the Force Commander's
Military Skills Competition in Camp
Ziouani. the Irish team, from 52 Inf Gp,
consisted of Lt hugh Forde (manager),
Cpl Ian Keogh (captain), Cpl Paul hanna,
Cpl Mark o'Donnell, Pte Ryan Kay, Pte
David Loughnane, Pte bernard briody
(sub), Pte John o'hara (sub) and Pte
Phillip Kennedy (sub).
My first challenge as team captain
was selecting a team with the skillsets
required for the seven stands the team
would face over two days, namely: gen-
eral knowledge of UNDOF and the mis-
sion; AFV recognition; combat life saver;
tyre changing; minefield extraction; run
and shoot; and obstacle course.
