An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir July/August 2019 www.dfmagazine.ie 12 | BY CAPT ÁINE MCDONOUGH, DEFENCE ATTACHÉ LIAISON OFFICER (DALO) A total of 44 countries have Defence At- tachés (DAs) accredited to Ireland. Their role is to promote co-operation between their own militaries and the Defence Forces. Only three countries have resident Defence Attachés in Dublin – the United Kingdom, the United States of America and Russia. The remaining 41 attachés are based in London. In order to maintain the connection with these non-resident DAs, every year the Defence Forces host a Defence Attaché Group Visit. The visit is hosted by a different Brigade or Formation each year, thus offering the attachés an opportunity to see various aspects of Óglaigh na hÉireann. This year 2 Bde hosted 33 DAs from 28 countries, along with their spouses from 8th to 12th April 2019. GOC 2 Bde Brig Gen Howard Berney greeted the group at the opening reception on Monday. On the evening of Monday 8th April, the Chief of Staff, Vice Admiral Mark Mellett DSM, and the Minister of State with responsibility for Defence, Mr Paul Kehoe TD, hosted the Defence Attachés at an official dinner in Cathal Brugha Bks. The follow- ing day they visited Aiken Bks, Dundalk where they were given a series of briefings on Defence Forces operations and unit life in the 27 Inf Bn. This was followed by a capability display which included weapons, equipment and vehicles from all corps. The DAs were also delighted to speak to the troops at each stand. After leaving Dundalk, the group travelled to Dublin to visit the National Emergency Co-ordination Centre, where they were briefed on the roles and responsibilities of the Office of Emergency Planning and the DF contribution in the event of a major emergency. On Wednesday 10th April, the Defence Attachés visited Iveagh House where they received a num- ber of briefings from the Dept of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Dept of Defence, along with presen- tations from Strategic Planning Branch and the Air Corps. They also had an opportunity to speak with Maj Gen Kieran Brennan, D COS (Ops) and Brig Gen Peter O'Halloran, ACOS. That evening, the Defence Attachés hosted their own dinner at the Honour- able Society of King's Inns, inviting all members of the General Staff and many others with whom they had interacted over the course of the visit. They were welcomed by a DF piper and entertained during the reception by a woodwind quintet from the School of Music. The spouses of the DAs were also present at this dinner, having spent the previous two days on their own cultural programme, ably escorted by Capt Richard O'Hagan, 7 Inf Bn. The spouses were treated to a private tour of Marsh's Library and St. Patrick's Cathedral and also had the honour of meeting President Michael D Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin. On Thursday 11th April the whole group came together for a cultural visit to Lambay Island. The DAs were brought to the island on board the LÉ Samuel Beckett, captained by Lt Cdr Eoin Smyth. Thankfully the weather conditions were ideal and it was smooth sailing from Dublin to Lambay. The DAs and their spouses were very impressed by the ship and her crew, as well as the excellent lunch provided by the School of Catering. On Lambay they were given a tour of the island and treated to a whiskey tasting in the castle. Edwin Lutyens, who designed the War Memorial Gardens at Islandbridge and the Cenotaph in London, also designed Lambay Castle and many of the other buildings on the island. The annual Defence Attaché Group Visit provides the Defence Forces with a tremen- dous opportunity to engage with foreign militaries through their DAs. It also serves as a showcase for Óglaigh na hÉireann, allowing us to demonstrate our capabilities and expertise to an international audience. A visit on this scale would not be possible without the assistance of all services and corps, especially those from 2 Bde who hosted the event. The Defence Attaché Liaison Office (DALO) is the single point of contact for Defence Attachés and all correspondence between the DF and attachés should be routed through the office. The DALO office is available to assist with any queries in relation to foreign militaries. LÉ Samuel Beckett Defence Attaché's visit LÉ Samuel Beckett DF COS Vice Admiral Mark Mellett DSM, talks to the Defence Attachés. Spouses Group visit to President Michael D Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin Defence Attaché Group

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