An Cosantóir

www.military.ie THE DEFENCE FORCES MAGAZINE | 29 In order to achieve its mission EUTM maintains two training bodies in order to deliver training to the MAF. The Advisory Task force (ATF), located in Mission HQ (MHQ) in the Malian capital of Bamako, and the Education and Training Task Force (ETTF), in Koulikoro Training Centre (KTC), situated 60 km to the North East. The advisory task force is largely responsible for the staff level training of the Malian Armed Forces in staff and HQ functions. Whereas the ETTF provides training in the "hard skills" domain from Counter Improvised Explosive Device (CIED), Company size operations and some operational level planning education and everything in between. MHQ, Bamako retains the customary military staff cells and function G1,G2,G3 etc with the support of a dedi- cated Force protection component. KTC has a similar Force Protection unit comprised of both Spanish & Czech person- nel along with various supporting and enabling functional groups, National Support Elements and the German-run Role 2 hospital. For explanatory purposes it is worth pointing out that most if not all appointments rotate on a six monthly basis. Certain entities will change nationality in the coming six to 12 months, however specific positions tend to remain the responsibility of one nation, which is confirmed at the Force Generation conference in Brussels annually. IRISH INVOLVEMENT Irish personnel are committed to all areas of the mission, from the MHQ in Bamako to the ETTF in KTC. The Chief G4, SO G1, a number of senior NCO staff and the Joint Transit Team (JTT), enabling armoured protected mobility around the Area of Operations (AO) at the direction of MHQ, are all appointments held by Irish personnel. The Irish component of ETTF is crucial to the mission. Executive Officer (XO) KTC, Deputy Chief Instructor (DCI), a number of training person- nel, the main body of the S6 Cell and a number of Logistics and Infrastructural NCOs are all Irish appointments. For the greater part of my own deployment I was serving in the position Chief Instructor, as my predecessor had. Due to the nature of the appointments at ETTF HQ, Irish staff serve on the ETTF Command Group. Having a voice and presence at this body ensures that through our participation in the mis- sion the Irish commitment is enhanced at all levels. Of note during the events of the attack of KTC on February 24th 2019, the Irish expertise in engineering and base security were deployed to great effect. Significant input & expertise was sought and provided at all levels, again Irish personnel were able, and in a position to contribute, across all areas, thereby providing value added input to the mission throughout. The core function of the EUTM is training, therefore the Irish training team are central to the missions main task. Presently there are a total of four trainers providing training across a number of areas. Personnel find themselves mandated for such specific roles due to a number of factors, such as the high level of ability of Irish personnel in planning and teaching skills. It is fair to say that no Irish trainer ever found themselves singularly employed in a particular area of their mandated appointment. Immediately upon arrival there will always be an imperative that all trainers while simultaneously establishing the rela- tionships with the other nationalities, improve and enhance their own skills. This means a deep immersion and advanced training in other weapons including RPG-7, DShK, PKM Brown- ing .50 Cal. Due to the perceived insider threat, additional classes in Unarmed Combat (UAC) were offered along with briefings on the particular cultural sensitivities of the mission. Of the total 90 of trainers with EUTM, at any one time there are approximately 80 in mission. Other issues such as national caveats precluded certain personnel from being selected for particular tasks. Therefore it was essential to maintain flex- ibility in all aspects of planning in order to select and assign trainers, while at all times maximising and exploiting the talent from within the teams and personnel. Previous experi- ence, level of staff training and, occasionally, language skills, were guiding factors in the selection of personnel. However, Irish personnel were central to providing assistance and guid- ance to other nationalities throughout the mission, due to their own high levels of ability and experience. DISPELLING MYTHS The primary EUTM language is English, much of discussion continues about the availability and use of French speakers in the mission area. Some of the contributing nations obviously arrive inculcated as fluent French speakers, however not all are employed as trainers and again their use and employ-

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