An Cosantóir

www.military.ie THE DEFENCE FORCES MAGAZINE | 13 (MaAF). The initial training and advice contributed to restoring self- confidence within the MaAF and facilitated the enhancement of the authority of the state over areas of the country that had been lost. Over successive mandates the mission has evolved to emphasise leadership and train-the-trainers courses. In 2016, decentralised training was introduced, seeing mission personnel temporarily deployed to Malian bases throughout a number of military regions on combined mobile advisory training teams (CMATTs) comprised of trainers, advisors, force protection 'guardian angels', and medi- cal assets. Typically, a CMATT delivers a bespoke training package based on the needs of the regional commander. EUTM Mali constitutes the military pillar of a comprehensive EU strategy in the country, which includes fields such as political and humanitarian development. Since its inception, EUTM Mali has been a non-executive mission, meaning its personnel do not participate with, or accompany, the MaAF on operations. The objectives of the mission, as per the current (4th) mandate are: to contribute to the improvement of the capabilities of the MaAF under the control of the political authorities, and support G5 Sahel through the consolidation and improvement of the operational capabilities of its joint force and through strengthening regional co-operation to address common security threats, especially terror- ism and human trafficking. In order to achieve these objectives, EUTM Mali bases its activi- ties on four pillars: training the MaAF; advising the MaAF at all levels; contributing to the improvement of the military education system, from schools to ministerial level; advising and training G5 Sahel Joint Force HQ. In 2013, a taskforce of British and Irish army personnel deployed to EUTM Mali as a combined training team, responsible for provid- ing specialist training to the MaAF in Koulikoro Training Centre (KTC). The goal was to provide basic training to multiple GTIA/BGs (groupement tactique interarme/battle groups), including con- ducting train-the-trainer courses and specialist weapons courses. The Defence Forces currently fills 20 positions in EUTM Mali, deployed in Bamako and Koulikoro. The current deployment, IRCON 14, has nine personnel based in the multinational Mission Force Headquarters (MFHQ) in Bamako, alongside personnel from 27 different nations. There are three personnel deployed in key staff officer and NCO appointments, including Chief J4 (logistics), which is occupied by the Senior Irish Officer (SIO). The other six personnel, a lieutenant and five NCOs comprise the Joint Transit Team, which effectively functions as MOVCON for the mission. The remaining 11 DF personnel are deployed to Koulikoro Train- ing Centre (KTC), approximately 60km north of Bamako, home of EUTM's main effort, the Education and Training Task Force (ETTF), which currently has 82 trainers from 18 EU and four non-EU states. These trainers constitute the primary interface between EUTM and the Malian trainees who attend courses at KTC. Five of the infantry training appointments are held by Irish Army personnel, two officers and three NCOs. Additionally, an Army commandant fills the appointment of deputy chief instructor, and the executive officer of ETTF is an Irish lieutenant colonel. Four other Irish NCOs are deployed in important supporting roles in the S4 and S6 cells. It is important to note that the Irish personnel in KTC and MFHQ plug into existing teams in a multinational structure, rather than operating as an organic stand-alone national team or in direct partnership with another nation, such as was the case earlier in the mission's history. This means that the vast corporate knowledge and experience the Irish Defence Forces has gained, in the multi- national peace support operations domain, is of huge significance even from a cultural awareness perspective alone. The two Irish infantry training officers in KTC plan, prepare and conduct courses for the MaAF, while the three NCOs instruct on conventional tactics, techniques, and procedures, using stan- dardised Malian doctrinal manuals. Experience in infantry skills such as combat shooting, FIBUA, patrolling, recce, sniping, etc, adds significant value to the training delivered. Additionally, Irish trainers often conduct classes in specialist subjects such as counter-IED, ground-sign awareness, mechanised- infantry tactics, leadership, and methods of instruction, to name but a few. Irish trainers also routinely participate in CMATTs in remote military regions. It is through the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) that the EU deals with collective defence and crisis management operations. Ireland has been a contributor to the CSDP since its inception in 1999 and Irish personnel have served under the EU flag with Operation Artemis (DR Congo), EUTM Somalia (with Brig Gen Ger Aherne and Maj Gen Michael Beary as mission commanders), Operation Althea (Bosnia), and EUFOR Chad/CAR (with Lt Gen Pat Nash as operation commander). Irish participation in EUTM Mali builds on this tradition and further establishes Ireland as an active contributor to European security and defence. In 2015 the EU established the EU Naval Force Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR MED), now known as Operation Sophia, to address the migrant crisis. The Naval Service contributed ships and per- sonnel the operation from its inception, and the DF continues to fill a number of staff appointments in the operational headquar- ters in Rome. Ireland's participation in EUTM Mali contributes to the stability of the country and of the greater Sahel region. Indeed, the EUTM Mali force commander and his staff engage regularly with the G5 Sahel coali- tion to ensure that the re- gion is united in its efforts to combat hu- man traffick- ing, improve security for the region's inhabitants, and stem the tide of northward migration. EUTM Mali contributes to this process by developing the capability of the MaAF with the ultimate goal of leaving behind a self-sufficient force that is capable of securing its own borders and defending its own territory. The nature of EUTM Mali training is constantly evolving. The next mission mandate is likely to focus on pre-deployment training for infantry companies who are scheduled to conduct counter- insurgency operations. Whatever shape the mission takes in the future, the Defence Forces is likely to continue to make a signifi- cant contribution to its ongoing success. Sgt Danny Smyth on the range with National Guard Groupement d'Intervention. Cpl Fran Fitzhenrey working with international colleagues from Estonia and Lithuania.

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