An Cosantóir

www.military.ie THE DEFENCE FORCES MAGAZINE | 31 (those evolutions that are performed remotely for a specified time frame). It is important to draw the distinction on these activities. Firstly the name; CMATT or Combined Mobile Advi- sory Training Team indicates that both ATF provide advisory function while ETTF provide soldier skills. With new direc- tives from HQ, the design and schedule of CMATTS change and readjust. The current plan is to visit each military region at least once a year. This is rescheduled based on availabil- ity of personnel due to centralised activities, and in some instances, the security situation in a military region. Mali itself for operational reasons is divided into eight military regions. CMATTs are further divided into two con- figurations based on size; Heavy and Light; Heavy obviously consuming a greater number of support assets and trainers than the light. CMATT light are normally performed in more austere locations such as Timbuktu or Gao, further to the north. Their location and distance requires a large logistical effort. EUTM personnel including Force Protection personnel will live and work from Operation Barkhane bases, which is an example of the support the two missions give each other. Due to operational security issues, the use of interpreters is prohibited in these locations. Therefore EUTM must exploit its human talent e.g. our albeit limited pool of French speak- ing personnel. As previously stated, not all Malian Soldiers speak French and this presents a unique challenge to the EUTM personnel. Personnel need to be able to adapt their planning and adjust the end state of CMATTs activities quite quickly, depending on circumstances. Therefore a degree of flexibility in all aspects of the approach is required. All other CMATTs; Sikasso, Kati, Kayes, Segou and Sevare have had significant levels of Irish participation. None of this is to say that Irish personnel are precluded from a particular location, it is merely a matter of selecting the right fit person for the job. FUTURE OF THE MISSION During the IRCON 12's time in country, EUTM built on the relationship between the Malian Military Schools (MMS) and the mission. It has been viewed as of critical importance to participate and involve EUTM in each of the three MMS; École militaire interarmes (EMIA – Malian Cadet School KTC), École d'état-major (EEM – Staff College, KTC) and finally the L'école des sous-officiers (ESO - NCO School, Banankaro). In December 2018 EUTM provided a consolidated block of training in EMIA which set conditions for current and ongo- ing participation in this school. It is worth pointing out that any previous misadventures or cultural misinterpretations have long since faded into obscurity. However, as I have mentioned above, drawing on examples, particularly from the Tourag rebellion of 2012, need to be made cautiously. The importance of EUTM maintaining a presence in the MMS cannot be stressed enough. It is analogous to EUTM provid- ing the on the ground realities and "Bottom up" approach and through our participation on CMATT and other central- ised and decentralised activities while both the coordinated and independent activities of the ATF and ETTF provide the "Top Down" effect on leadership. Irish trainers and officers are heavily committed in these areas and have enhanced greatly this particular critical aspect of the mission. It is true to say the security situation in Mali has changed greatly in the recent months, we all saw the manifestation of this deterioration in February of 2019, however this did not nor should it deter any of the participants from achieving the mission. All the personnel in KTC remained steadfast in their commitment to the core task and the mission. I personally saw the supreme commitment from all members of the mul- tinational cadre. However, to dwell on this issue or incident would be to expend valuable energy that could be otherwise put to good use. In order to demonstrate and espouse the virtues of the mission and in keeping with all good military transitions the core function must be executed now with greater resolve than ever before. It is not to say that anyone on mission should be blasé or negligent, however adjust- ing to the "new normal" in KTC was the imperative. EUTM is entering a new era, an adjusted security situation with new evolutions and departures in training being frequently encountered, my own time in the mission provided for an unsurpassed experience. The particular challenges, and the issues if working in the climate, country and environment on Mali are unique amongst current Defence Forces deploy- ment. It is a mission that any Irish soldier would be both privileged to serve on, and would invariably benefit tremen- dously from. CAREER BIOGRAPHY Comdt. Kyran Byrne Commissioned with the 78th Cadet Class in 2003. Held posts in B Coy 3rd Battalion, 27 Inf Bn, 2 Bde G3/5 and 7 Inf Bn. Currently posted to 7 Inf Bn as a company commander. Previous tours include 100bn T'Chad, 106Bn UNIFIL, G3 Sec West HQ in UNIFIL and finally Chief Instructor EUTM Mali as part of IRCON 12 from Sep 2018 – Mar 2019.

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