An Cosantóir

www.military.ie the defence forces magazine | 27 The wide-ranging course included advanced training on drills such as the searching of vulnerable points for vehicle and dismounted patrols; systematic searching using the 5s & 25s system; introduction to weapons intelligence; a power-of-explosives demonstration; counter-IED strate- gies; group work on the construction of inert IEDs; an IED emplacement exercise; ground sign training; and a multi- vehicle, IED-focused, training exercise. Since January 2012, all newly-commissioned army offi- cers have completed the C-IED instructor course as part of their PCPSC (Platoon Commanders Peace Support Course), which they undergo soon after being commissioned, and the majority of students on this course were officers from the 11th PCPSC; the remainder were NCOs from various units throughout the Defence Forces. The IED threat is something that the Defence Forces has become all too familiar with over the last number of de- cades. Along the border with Northern Ireland, during 'the Troubles', which ran from 1968 to 1998, the Defence Forces, in conjunction with their colleagues in An Garda Síochána, played a vital role in maintaining internal security. Through joint operations the Defence Forces assisted gardaí with vehicle checkpoints (VCPs), border patrols, and searches for caches of paramilitary weapons and explosives. Between 1969 and 1994 Dublin alone experienced tens of IED incidents. However, with the development of a rela- tive peace in Northern Ireland since 1998, the IED in Ire- land has moved from the hands of subversive paramilitary groups and into the hands of hard-line criminal gangs. In 2013, for instance, Defence Forces EOD teams responded to 250 call outs of which 80 were found to be viable IEDs. Even while the 7th Counter IED Instructor course was on-going, EOD teams disposed of three viable IEDs around the country. On overseas deployments IEDs have been, and remain, a reality for our troops, and several have lost their lives to IEDs while serving with UN peacekeeping missions includ- ing three killed in an incident on March 21st 1989 while serving in Lebanon with UNIFIL. In 2008, a roadside IED, again in Lebanon, detonated injuring two soldiers travel- ling in a soft-skinned vehicle. In 2013, a Defence Forces patrol on duty with UNDOF on the Golan Heights between Syria and Israel came under small-arms fire. During the incident an Irish APC was hit by a blast, which sheared off one of the wheels and injured troops inside the vehicle. In Afghanistan Irish troops are deployed with ISAF, play- ing a key role in instructing the Afghan army and police force in IED disposal, and in the development of ISAF's C-IED strategy. The C-IED instructor course comprised lectures on the pillars and principles of C-IED in conjunction with practi- cal demonstrations of the drills required to operate in a high-threat IED environment. This combination of theo- retical and practical elements helped to foster a greater understanding of the role of C-IED and the degree of flexibility that is required in applying C-IED principles to an operational situation. The course included a series of assessments in which the prospective instructor had to demonstrate their knowledge of what they had learned and their ability to teach the subject. Another key aim of the course was to broaden the individual's understanding of the history of IEDs and their evolution. This was achieved through syndicate presen- tations given by the students, who were given a key IED event, such as the Oklahoma City bombing, to research and present to the class. This exercise generated much discussion and gave the class a greater sense of the capa- bilities and simplicity of IEDs. At all times the C-IED staff of the Ordnance School sought to highlight the real-life application of the lessons being learned on the course. Presentations from Defence Forces personnel who have experienced the IED threat first hand and critical analysis of current IED situations being faced by coalition forces in Afghanistan and Iraq helped achieve this level of realism, which was evident in every aspect of the course. The course also created an environment in which stu- dents could question or offer opinions on the skills, drills, and principles being taught. This level of student engage- ment developed a positive mindset towards C-IED and encouraged in-depth discussions of the topic. The points raised in these discussions were important as they were included in a detailed lessons-learned report that will be used in the continuous development of the course into the future and in the development of C-IED as an all-arms skill in the Defence Forces. The 7th C-IED Instructors Course was thoroughly en- joyed by all and on completion of the course the comman- dant of the Ordnance School, Lt Col Raymond Lane, certi- fied the students as C-IED instructors. Going back to their units, this batch of newly-qualified instructors will act as the future torch bearers for C-IED education through- out the Defence Forces, bringing with them a wealth of knowledge and skills to further enhance the force protec- tion of Irish troops against the IED threat at home and on overseas deployment. about the authors lt Brian Clarke Ba, llM: Prior to joining the Defence Forces, Lt Clarke completed a masters of law in Peace Support Operations, International Humanitarian Law and Conflict at NUI Galway. He is serving with 2 Brigade Artillery Regiment. 2/lt John nevin: Prior to commissioning 2/Lt Nevin had nine years previous service in the Defence Forces, completing two overseas missions, with UNIFIL (2013) and UNDOF (2015). He has also completed a diploma in Leadership, Management and Defence Studies with NUI Maynooth. He is serving with 1 Armoured Cavalry Squadron.

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