An Cosantóir

www.military.ie the defence forces magazine | 7 donegAl County museum sere trAining On Saturday 7th October as part of Wainfest 2017, Donegal County Museum was delighted to have Family Friendly Survival Skills Training Sessions with Coy Sgt O'Brien, a SERE Instructor from 28 Inf Bn. The 86 young and old participants came from all over Co Donegal and were guided through a variety of Survival Skills. They were delighted to learn some of the Defence Forces survival skills. Photo: Caroline Carr, Donegal County Museum irisH mAsters Judo oPen 2017 Pictured is Sgmn Martin Leonard, DFHQ CIS McKee Bks, who won a silver medal (100kgs) at the 2017 Irish Masters Judo Open recently. He is pictured right along with retired Sgt Paul McConville, 27 Inf Bn won a gold medal (90kg). Martin thanked his CO, Coy Sgt and members of his unit for the continued support and encouragement, which has allowed him to continue competing at the highest level. Photo: Sgmn Martin Leonard 31st Air Corps ApprentiCe ClAss 50 YeAr reunion The 31st Air Corps Apprentice Class held a reunion at Casement Aerodrome on the 22nd September 2017 to mark 50 years since they joined the Air Corps in 1967. The class originally had 49 members but ten have since passed away. Of the 39 surviving members 34 attended the reunion and after an hour reminiscing enjoyed a tour of the base and museum under the guidance of Cpl Michael Whelan. They ended the visit by laying a wreath at the ONE Memorial and remembering their deceased comrades. One member of the class, Cpl John Ring (RIP), was awarded a Distinguished Service Medal (DSM) for his role as part of a helicopter crew that carried out a very difficult rescue in the Wicklow Mountains in 1972. Photos: Lt Col Richard Cummins Retd 57th AnnuAl niembA CeremonY The Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel (ONE) held their 57th Annual Niemba Wreath Laying Ceremony in Cathal Brugha Barracks on the 8th November. Pictured is Brig Gen Peter O'Halloran ACOS laying a wreath with ONE National President Tom James. Photo: Michael McDonnell, ONE rDF sere trAining RDF personnel from 12 Inf Bn underwent a week-long SERE course in Ballymullen Barracks, Tralee recently. PDF SERE Instructors, Cpl O'Donnell and Cpl Warren delivered a very interesting and hands-on course culminating in a 24-hour training ground exercise, where all the skills learned were fully practised. Photo shows Instructors and Students on completion of the course. Photo: Comdt T. Martin (AR), OC F Coy, 12 Inf Bn

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