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SEPTEMBER 2015 Vol 19 Issue 3 Farewell Message www.military.ie Defence Forces Newsletter A gus mé ag teannadh le mo lá deirneach i nÓglaigh na hÉ- ireann ba mhaith liom glacadh leis an deis seo buíochas a ghabháil le gach ball don Arm, an tAer Chóir and tSeirb- hís Chabhlaigh, an Chúltaca san áireamh, as ucht an dea-obair a dhéanann sibh ar shon an Stáit. As I approach the end of my tenure as Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces I want to take this opportunity to thank the per- sonnel of the Army, Air Corps, and Naval Service, including the Reserve Defence Force, for your service during my time as Chief of Staff. I have had the opportunity to visit every barracks and installation and to observe training and operations at home and overseas and I have met and talked to many men and women of the Defence Forces. On every such occasion I have been im- mensely impressed by the devotion to duty, skills and loyalty of all our personnel. We have all witnessed the Defence Forces evolve and transform through reorganisation, capability devel- opment, training and education and capacity to deliver. This transformation is exemplified in how our role in Peace Support Operations has changed from occupying platoon-size static positions across an area of opera- tions to having the capability to deploy combined company-size Quick Reaction Forces under armour, with the appropriate firepower, protection, mobility and communications platforms to support other troop contribut- ing nations. The Air Corps capability to provide an Emergency Aeromedical Service and the Naval Service's first international operational deployment on the Search and Rescue and Humanitarian mission in the Mediter- ranean also typify this transformation. The ability to sustain and develop these capabilities is the focus of the 2015 White Paper on Defence, the roadmap for continuous development, but it is everyone's responsibility to ensure that the Defence Forces is operationally and tactically ready to meet any challenge or task assigned to us by Government in the years to come. You, the soldiers, airmen/airwomen and sailors and the members of the Reserve Defence Force are the greatest asset the Defence Forces have and you continuously display leadership and commitment, irrespective of rank. This has always been the way, a tradition of loyal and unwavering service. You represent the Defence Forces and the State with honour, pride and selflessness and this is the legacy you will hand down to those who come after you. I also want to take this opportunity to remember our personnel who have died in the service of the State at home and overseas. Their sacrifices and the sacrifices of their families will never be forgotten. The 1916 Centenary Programme will attract national and interna- tional attention and the Defence Forces will be at the centre of these commemorations. I wish you all well in your participation in the ceremonies and commemorations and look forward to watching with pride the superb performance always rendered by the Defence Forces on such occasions. Finally I wish my successor Rear Admiral Mark Mellett (DSM) every success as he assumes the role of Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces. I know he will enjoy your unwavering support and commitment. It has been the greatest honour for me to have been the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces and I wish you all well in your professional and private lives. Contents 37th ATC Course Mingy Prayerbook Last Round Pioneers & Aviators EIPD Awards Inf Sec Wpn's Poster

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