An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir February 2017 www.dfmagazine.ie 8 | by SGT KARL BYRNE PhotoS by CPL NEVILLE COUGHLAN & BQMS Conference 2016 RSM Noel O'Callaghan, 2 BAR. T he annual Sergeant Major and bQMS conference was held on the 29th November of last year in Case- ment Aerodrome, baldonnel. the GoC Air Corps brigadier General Paul Fry gave the opening address. he welcomed all who attended and spoke of his delight and how honoured he was at hosting the conference for the first time in baldonnel. brig Gen Fry then spoke of how the Air Corps have assisted in over 2600 callouts for the Emergency Aeromedical Service (EAS) and also how they are replacing the two CASA CN235 and one PC9. Col Sean Clancy, director of the strategic planning branch, then took to the floor and briefed the delegation on the plan for the day. He summarised the key aspects of the previous years conferences and how he seen the best ways to address this years issues. Col Clancy took a number of questions from the floor, some in relation to overseas and brigade formations. Comdt Larkin from D J1 A Admin was next to address the delegation and spoke of the performance appraisal working groups (AF667), the post 94-2013 contracts, the NCO promo- tion competition and the senior NCO's course. One of the questions raised was the ratio of officers to troops that are serving overseas which created a very heated debate and due to time restraints had to be cut short. Next to speak on behalf of J4 logs branch was Col Buckley who stated "Logs leads it does not follow" and "Planning without resources is dreaming". Leading on from that he spoke of delivering affordability along with the best value logistics for the Defence Forces. He also talked of the use of fuel, ammu- nition, clothing and those types of logistics and how they are being used, saying that clothing is sometimes hoard- ed and unmarked and is also in some cases sold online. After a short tea and coffee break the Chief of Staff, Vice Admiral Mark Mellett arrived and briefed the delegation on the Defence Forces Strategic Vision. As part of this he stated that our mission is to 'provide the military with the capabilities to defend Ireland and assigned interests internationally. The 'COS also informed us of the Defence Forces vision moving forward which is 'Strengthen our na- tion by inspiring pride and leading excellence' by consoli- dating, enhancing and evolving. His address was greeted with a round of applause and he was happy to openly answer questions on any of the subjects talked about and any concerns that any of the senior NCO's had. After a short period of Q&A with the COS, the delega- tion broke up into 4 groups, each table was separately chaired by the COS Vice Admiral Mark Mellet, DCOS Ops Major Gen- eral Kieran Brennan, DCOS Support Maj General Kevin Cotter and ACOS Brigadier General Peter O'Halloran. The whole group then convened to the square for the annual group photo with some new faces as well as the old reliable(s). Senior NCOs in discussion with the COS. Sgt Majors and BQMS Conference 2016.

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