Thread by @2BdeArtyRegt

The various ceremonial elements of a State Visit , the Gunners perspective - a thread 1/10

Preparation, preparation, preparation-Last Friday we did a full rehearsal @MckeeCamp , Guns were cleaned & checked, ‘put to bed’ for the weekend. Ordnance Gp techs checked the guns and blank rds before and after.Ceremonial Section attended along with Conductor @DFSMIreland 2/10

Today after an early start in #CustumeBarracks the Gunners assembled again in @MckeeCamp and moved the 25 Pounder Guns the short distance to the saluting position in Áras an Uachtaráin. @7_Inf_Bn & @DFSMIreland assembled in another part of the grounds. 3/10&

One final check from Ordnance Techs in situ and now changed into our No 1 uniform, time for another dry rehearsal and a misfire drill (quietly), the @7_Inf_Bn Guard of Honour march into position to the musical accompaniment of @dfsm , @2BdeGoc Military Police in position 4/10

Guns are loaded and set to safe, the OP Officer does a final radio check from beside the band. At exactly 1110 the 2 Cav Sqn Escort of honour @DFCavalryCorps arrive with the German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, @PresidentIRL in position. Stand By 5/10

Military Police guide President into Áras for brief welcome. Escort of Honour withdraw, Guard of Honour come to attention. Band ready. Safety off on the Guns. Gun Position Officer ready, Bty Sgt on stopwatch for time, Bty Qms to count the rounds fired, Gun crews ready 6/10

The President is guided to saluting position, Guard of Honour Present Arms, GPO watchs the @DFSMIreland Conductor’s arm and listens for order from OP, on first note of National Anthem as GOH have presented Arms, No 1 Fire ! 7/10

For the next 140 seconds (the duration of German and Irish National Anthems), we fire 21 rounds in total at a set interval, the Bty Sgt taps the GPO on shoulder to fire checking time, the Bty QMS counts the rounds, the Gun Crews fire on order, German National Anthem first 8/10

Second Anthem is always Amhrán na bhFiann , the GPO has to judge last round for the last note. Once complete we sit and wait as the GOH is inspected and the smoke clears, literally. 9/10

When the Presidents enter Áras an Uachtaráin, Ceremonial Section gives the signal for GOH and Band to withdraw. Time for us to tidy up, return the Guns and clean them before they are stored for next ceremonial event 10/10 #ÓglaighnahÉireann #StrenghtentheNation #Ceremonial