The Army added: “During the recent Regimental Exercise on the Otterburn Training Area, Gilbert and his Fire Support Team excelled throughout the technical firing phases, engaging all targets with speed and aggression.

“In the tactical phase, he led his team to an Observation Post 5km from their cached Foxhound vehicle. Carrying their equipment, specialised optics, and communications systems, Gilbert navigated them to the location and established a concealed hide in -5°C conditions.

“The team remained undetected for 20 hours while reporting simulated enemy movements before conducting a simulated strike on a High Value Target. Their performance was exemplary.”

Professionally, Capt Muldowney was “an exceptional officer who always put his soldiers first”, a statement added.

“He always led from the front, a hallmark of his character. His leadership, courage, and deep sense of duty earned him the enduring respect and admiration of all who served alongside him.

“Friends and colleagues will remember Gilbert for his warmth, boundless energy, and infectious humour. He had a rare gift for lifting spirits and bringing out the best in people, leaving a lasting impression on all who knew him.

“Gilbert was an unforgettable character and a rising star within the Army and the Regiment. His loss is profoundly felt by his comrades and friends, and our thoughts and prayers remain with his family at this most difficult time.”

Commanding Officer of the 4th Regiment Royal Artillery, Lieutenant Colonel Henry Waller, said Capt Muldowney was an “immensely enthusiastic officer who embraced life with a vigour that inspired everyone around him”.

He added: “Always full of ideas and never without a bright smile, Gilbert approached every challenge wholeheartedly, whether in camp or out in the field. His versatility was remarkable, and he threw himself into a wide range of activities with energy and commitment.

Professionally, Gilbert was an outstanding officer who consistently put his soldiers first. He led from the front in all that he did, a quality that defined his character. His leadership, courage, and sense of duty earned him the respect and admiration of all who served alongside him.

Friends and colleagues will remember Gilbert for his easy-going nature, boundless energy, and infectious sense of humour. He had an extraordinary ability to lift spirits and make the best of any situation, leaving a lasting impression on all who knew him.

Gilbert was an unforgettable character and a rising star within the Army and the Regiment. His loss is deeply felt by his comrades and friends, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this most difficult time.

Soldiers were wearing night vision goggles and shooting “pop-up targets” with SA80 assault rifles, The Sun reported.

The metal and wooden objects are designed to drop down if they are hit by live ammunition, he newspaper added.

Otterburn Ranges, owned by the Government since 1911, is described by Northumberland National Park as a “remote area” that covers nearly a quarter of the land.

It is a “wildlife lover’s paradise”, it adds.

“Moorland birds, such as curlew and skylark, as well as ravens and wild goats, flourish here with so few humans around,” the park’s website reads.

It adds: “Twenty-three percent of Northumberland National Park (stretching from the A68 to Upper Coquetdale) is owned by the Ministry of Defence and used as a military training area.

“It is the shared aim of the Northumberland National Park and the MoD to encourage as much access to the area as possible.”