Limerick man leads Defence Forces troops into ‘toughest military exercise worldwide’

A LIMERICK man is preparing eight Defence Forces troops for the “toughest military exercise worldwide”.

Team coach Sgt Tony O'Malley has been putting the troops, all based at Stephen's Barracks in Kilkenny, through their paces ahead of the Cambrian Patrol, which takes place at Brecon Beacons, Wales, from October 18-20.

The Cambrian Patrol is an annual international military patrolling exercise that makes its participating teams cover a 70 km course in less than 48 hours on foot while performing numerous types of military scenarios placed throughout the rugged Cambrian Mountains and swamp lands of mid-Wales.

Each team member will carry their own backpack weighing in excess of 80lbs.

“The Cambrian Patrol was first set up in August 1960 by Welshman Maj Gen Lewis Pugh DSO, featuring long-distance marching over the Cambrian Mountains from Tonfanau on the west coast of Wales to British Special Forces Units,” a Defence Forces spokesperson said.  

“Since then, the exercise has been rigorously updated to meet the challenges faced by modern soldiers. Some of the scenarios the teams will face include a 100 metre river crossing, casualty and medical evacuation, navigation, calling in accurate artillery fire, and operating in a chemical contaminated environment."

The 2018 exercise will attract teams from over 30 countries including Australia, India and Pakistan who will compete for gold, silver and bronze medals respectively. 

Team photo above:

Back l-r: Sgt Tony O'Malley (Limerick, team coach), Lt Shane Flood (Waterford), Pte Dan Kennedy (Wexford), Pte Josh Morrisey (Kilkenny), Pte Mark Sweeney (Tipperary), Capt Kevin Lanigan (Tipperary, team liaison officer). 

Front: Cpl Sean Fleming (Waterford), Cpl Ciaran Shelley (Tipperary), Pte Paddy Heffernan (Kilkenny), Cpl Blaine Donovan (Kilkenny).

The Irish Wolfhound is Cpl Fionn, the unit mascot.