An Cosantóir

def-tec battlegroup | 23 APCs and LTAVs with four close recce detachments and three sniper teams; a medium recce troop with two CRVs and two MRVs (as well as the Mowags' surveillance equipment each vehicle carries a close recce detachment); a stand-off recce troop with four detachments of surveillance target-acquisition artillery FOO/FST teams, equipped with artillery LTAVs and Amstar ground surveillance radar, one UAS detach- ment, and one engineer recce detachment; and a combat service support platoon with CIS, fitter, Drops, medical, ordnance, and MP de- tachments. As of 1st July, 2 ISTAR Coy will be on standby for six months, capable of deploying within five days. In May, Operation 'Brightlight' the Irish company's culminating P art of the German-led EU Battlegroup, 2 ISTAR Coy comprises a HQ platoon, consisting of intelligence gathering and analysis cells; an infantry close recce platoon operating out of Mowag ered at HQ. The troops were also exercised in possible real-life scenarios such as road traffic accidents, dealing with IDPs and IEDs, and Casevac. "I was very satisfied with the national certification exercise," said OC 2 ISTAR Coy, Comdt Colin McNamee. "We spent camps and three main routes from North to South Daznu that were being used by IDPs as well as by the Daznu United Front, who were trying to destabilise the new established authorities in South Daznu. The exercise tested the troops in all aspects of ISTAR; from eyes on target from an OP to analysing the information gath- the fictional country of Daznu, where elements within the country were seeking autonomy. As part of a UN-mandated mission the German-led EU Battle Group had been tasked with establishing a secure and peaceful environment and pave the way for a future EUFOR or UN mission. There was a ceasefire in place and the three objectives for the Battle Group were to secure the airports and seaports to allow for a follow-on EUFOR/UN element; deploy to a forward operating base along the zone of separation between North and South Daznu and conduct peace-support operations in order to provide the peaceful movement of all internally displaced persons (IDPs); and establish and maintain a zone of separation and provide and assist in the delivery of humanitarian assistance. 2 ISTAR Coy was primarily tasked with monitoring three IDP phase of training and assessment in order to receive their national certificate of readiness took place. Run by the Cav School, the primary goal of the exercise was to test 2 ISTAR Coy in as close to real-life scenarios as possible in order to insure they are ready to participate in the Battle Group and ready for deployment. The scenario 2 ISTAR Coy was faced with was a deployment to eight months developing great teamwork, developing our deployment model, how our intelligence cycle worked with the operational collecting cycle. The investment we have made in terms of our soldiers' skills was very, very evident on the ground. People knew their job, they were very well trained and equipped, and therefore were able to execute the mission." www.military.ie THE DEFENCE FORCES MAGAZINE

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