An Cosantóir the official magazine of the Irish Defence Forces and Reserve Defence Forces.
Issue link: https://digital.jmpublishing.ie/i/973701
www.military.ie the defence forces magazine | 5 Manager Comdt Colin Lawlor info@military.ie +353 (0)45 44 5306 Editor Sgt Wayne Fitzgerald magazine@military.ie +353 (0)45 44 5307 Connect Sgt Karl Byrne connect@military.ie Photo/Journalist Cpl Lee Coyle journalist@military.ie Photographer A/M Jamie Barrett photo@military.ie Subscriptions Cpl Kelly Gallagher +353 (0)45 44 5312 subs@military.ie DF/PR Information Cpl Lynn Ryan admin@military.ie +353 (0)45 44 5308 DF Webmaster Sgt Mick Burke +353 (0)45 44 5309 webmaster@military.ie Magazine Archivist Mr Sean Shinnors Designer/Advertising JM Publishing & Media, Arklow, Co. Wicklow,Ireland Tel: +353 15331911 Tel: +353871344135 Web: www.jmpublishing.ie Email: info@jmpublishing.ie Printer Turner's Printing Co., Ltd Earl Street, Longford, Ireland Tel: +353 (0)43 3350500 The fact that an article appears in this magazine does not indicate official approval of the views expressed by the author. © Published by OiC Public Relations Branch for the Defence Forces at DFHQ, Block 5, Ceannt Bks, DFTC, Curragh Camp, Co Kildare, Ireland. Tel: +353 (0)45 445312 Front Cover Photo by Sgt Karl Byrne For more Defence Forces photographs, checkout: www.flickr.com/photos/ dfmagazine Editorial H ello, and welcome to our May issue. Taking a back seat this month, Sgt Wayne Fitzgerald hands the reigns over to myself as he prepares a Peace Keeping Special for Junes issue, which promises to be a collector's edition to your An Cosantóir stockpile. This month we have an array of different articles and features, varying from transport to RDF recruitment to fitness testing. As always our On Parade photographs feature on pages 6 & 7, moving onto our In Focus pages, which feature Museum Aiken Barracks by Sgt Riccardo Lucchesi, as well as the Easter Sunday Parade. Veterans News takes up its usual spot on page 10. Our first feature of the month is the 57 INF GP March Past who have recently travelled into the mission area, we then take a look at Ex Skipjack by our resident journalist Cpl Lee Coyle, which was a collaboration exercise between the Gardaí and our own Defence Forces. Cpl Lee Coyle features again with an article looking at an Engineer exercise called ESSC EX20. This is followed by our first Sport themed article by Sgt Shane Whelan who was a student on the recent PTI course run in the DFPES in the DFTC. Capt. Aislinn Kelleher (6 Inf Bn) then provides us with a nice piece, Mobility & Protection, on the recent LTAV operator driver's course, which was run in the 6 Inf Bn back in March. In our second Sports article CQMS Michael Barrett (7 Inf Bn Army Reserve) reports on the RDF fitness testing procedures in RDF – First Challenge. The Tac Aide moves into its fourth part of the series in survival, looking at how to make a Spanish Windlass. This months first History article comes from Guy Warner with Desmond Arthur Irish Airman, this is followed by Child Of Jadotville, written by Professor Declan McCabe which looks into the story of his father's deployment to Jadotville. Page 30 takes us back to athleticism with a report by Comdt. Orla Jennings (OC 501 Sqn & 2IC No 5 Sp Wing) on the DF 5 mile road race, which took place in Baldonnel Aerodrome back in April. Pte Padraic O'Sullivan (DFAVS) brings us a piece about current professional boxer and serving Cpl John Joyce (7 Inf Bn) in another Sport feature From Demons to Titles. Looking at the later end of this month's magazine, Hobby Airsoft affords the opportunity to win a pair of Defender-Flex jeans worth €105 in our regular Gear Up on page 35. Which leaves us with all the rest, Notice Board, Book Reviews and What I Do. Lastly, I'd like to acknowledge a member of our staff who has returned to his home unit, 105th Squadron in the Air Corps, Cpl Neville Coughlan. Neville spent 7 years with us here at An Cosantóir, also working very closely with the Press Office and very often the Chief of Staff Vice Admiral Mark Mellett. Neville will be missed by all the staff here at An Cosantóir, and we would like to wish him all the best in his career back with the 105 Squadron, Air Corps. Below are just a small selection of Neville's front covers that are accredited to him whilst working with us. We would also like to welcome A/M Jamie Barrett who replaces Neville from Photographic section, Air Corps. Sgt Karl Byrne - Editor