Brigade Assessments 2010

Each of the Reserve Artillery Regiments contributed a FOO team to the Bde Assesments this year. 62 RAR provided an FDC. 31 RAR provided a BC up to 22oo Hrs on saturday when the position was then filled from 62 RAR. While not part of the actual Assesment itself, (the FOO’s were there to allow an assesment of the use of Arty) – it gave the three Regiments an opportunity to work together and exercise in basic FDC processes.

Each of the FOO teams joined their company commanders immediately before moving out of the harbour area to start the EX. All calls for fire were fed through the FDC which was co-located with the Batallion main HQ. On Day 1 the notional resources were 1 * Bty 105mm and 1 * Bty 120mm Heavy Mortars. Calls for fire came in as point platoons were hit up and the Company Commanders requested arty support. A Bty Command Post Ex was also set up and latest version of the Fire Control System put through its paces.

The second day, 2 * Bty of 105 mm were included. Haboured in the AO that night, FOO’s planned defensive fires for their company positions and were mobile next morning at first light as the Companies cleared their respective areas of the remaining pockets of resistance. A fire plan was developed in support, with modification by call sign 11 who was with A company. Bn Tac went mobile with the BC in tow as the ‘battle’ developed.

ATEx 2010 – Short Report

 

 

Adjust Fire Video

Our Annual Training Exercise provided the setting for an integrated 2 Eastern Brigade combined arms live firing exercise. 62 RAR Advance party took over Coolmoney on Saturday and prepared the way for arrival of the rest of the Regiment at lunchtime. Then it was straight into training and preparation for arrival of the 2 Eastern Brigade PDF units. Tuesday saw the start of a 36 hour ex which included night firing illum in support of the Infantry support weapons shoot (60’s, 81’s, .5’s and Mags). This was completed from the 2 FAR 120 Mortar Battery position due to the disposition of the other units in the ex – so all crews from the other 120mm mortar batteries rotated through this position (East of Stranaheely field). Wednesday saw first round at 0700 hrs to start target recording in prep for h-hour later that afternoon. 3 * 120mm Mortar Batteries and 1 * 105mm Gun Battery were provided by the Arty (62 and 2 Regiments), including a fully operational FSCC. Integrated into the fire plan were 81’s, 60’s, .5’s, Mags and Anti Armour.

HQ and 1 Bty provided composite 120mm Mortar battery located in Keoghs forward. 2 & 3 Bty provided composite 120mm Mortar battery located in Coan. FOO teams (2 from 62 RAR and1 from 2 FAR)  located in Stranaheeley.