An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir July/August 2018 www.dfmagazine.ie 26 | By CPL LEE CoyLE PhotoS ARMn JAMIE BARREtt R econnaissance can be a valuable tool in a commander's tool belt on the battlefield; it can give vital information that will steer a plan of action. It can give one op- ponent the upper hand, it can also be the difference between success and failure. knowing the enemy and their activities and area they are working will always be at the forefront of a commander's mind. the skills required of a recce detachment to gather this information are unique and require soldiers who are strong of will and mind. The Infantry Weapons Wing (IWW), DFTC, Annual International Recce Concen- tration took place over a week in May to test the capabilities of such recce detachments. As well as to compete against each other, they also come together to learn new skills and exchange ideas. Recce Detachments from across the DF were joined from a team from the British Army. The first day seen the detachments receive their information packs and their scenario brief that would be played out for the week. The scenario that they would be using was built around an EU mission that had been deployed on an island that had two distinct ethnic groups, and historically had poor rela- tionships with each other. There deployment would be a supporting role of the govern- ment, which was predominately made up of one of the ethnic groups. For their first mission they departed for the old Odlum's Factory in Dublin's Docklands. This area is the ideal spot to begin an urban scenario, with its multitude of deserted buildings. At the factory there was some instructional stands, each giving the detachments time to show off there skills and while also gaining some skills. The stands included SERE training, FIBUA training and the typical set up of an Urban OP. After this training and prep time they then deployed to the first exercise area that was located 12Km away in a disused Ferry Terminal in Dún Laoghaire Harbour. The mode of trans- portation would be by RIB from Dublin Harbour to the ferry terminal in Dún Laoghaire. The DF Diving Group provided support and the RIBs, who picked up each detachment and delivered them to the ferry terminal. The first obstacle facing the detachments was an 18-foot ladder climb with all their equipment onto the pier. Their task at the terminal would be to set up an urban OP and conduct reconnaissance and surveillance on a target building and area, in order to determine its suitability as a Coy FOB. The building and area of interest was an adjoining pier to the terminal. The outcome of such a recce would dictate a commander's course of action (COA), so it would be a high priority tasking of a recce detachment. The ferry terminal was the perfect location, as the building provided plenty of room for each team to set up. Some of these areas proved challenging with different areas of light produced by the windows, and also with walls painted different colours, finding something that would blend in and look natural while also concealing the recce party was tricky. The area of interest for the OPs was the opposite pier to the ferry terminal that had actors playing enemy, who would have activity running throughout the night. Keeping the teams busy, with simulated drugs and arms deals to a kidnapping of an individual, plus the odd in- An Cosantóir July/August 2018 www.dfmagazine.ie 26 |

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