An Cosantóir Dec 2016 / Jan 2017 www.dfmagazine.ie
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REPoRt & PhotoS By
CQMS MIKE BARRETT,
E COY, RDF, 7 INF BN
'Belt Buckle'
E
xercise 'Belt Buckle' was conducted by the
NCo training Wing (NCotW) in Fort Davis,
Co Cork, between 3rd and 5th october 2016.
the purpose of the exercise was to teach the
students of the latest Infantry Platoon Sergeants
Course all aspects of fighting in built up areas
(FIBUA), in both offensive and defensive roles.
Fort Davis, which has several different FIBUA training areas, gives commanders ample
space to exercise troops in a range of different scenarios. Located at the entrance to Cork
Harbour, the fort contains a myriad of old buildings and tunnels, and offers impressive
panoramic views of the seaborne approaches to Cobh, Spike Island and the city of Cork.
The students and their NCOTW instructors were substantially supported by 7 Inf Bn,
which provided over 50 personnel for the exercise over its three-day duration. Of these
troops 12 were RDF members of the battalion.
Once in location, after departing Cathal Brugha Bks early on the Monday morning
and completing the four-hour journey to Fort Davis, the combined strength of all units
involved numbered over 100 personnel.
The 7 Inf Bn troops performed a variety of roles for Belt Buckle, including providing an
enemy force, exercise security, drivers, and an admin party. Support also came from the
Central Medical Unit (CMU), which provided two medics and an ambulance on site at all
times, and the cookhouse in Collins Bks, Cork, which provided all meals and fresh water
on a daily basis; provisions that were shuttled out to the fort by 7 Inf Bn transport and
work parties.
The Spartan living conditions of the fort were a challenge to all involved but, thank-
fully, the weather remained mild and rain free for the duration of the exercise.
ENDEX was called on Wednesday and the students returned to their base in the DFTC
while the 7 Inf Bn convoy set course for home after having made a substantial input to a
very successful exercise.
