An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir June 2020 www.dfmagazine.ie 28 | BY LIEUTENANT NICOLE KELLY I served with the European Union Training Mission Mali in the Mission HQ (MHQ), Bamako as the Joint Transit Team (JTT) Chief. We were a team of six; one Officer and five NCO's, working in the J4 Branch under SNR Lt Col Rob- ert Corbet. One of the key elements to the mission was to contribute to the improvement of the capa- bilities of the Malian Armed Forces and to the political stabilisation and improvement of the security situation in Mali. Like all op- erations and missions, a logistical element is required. This is one of two primary roles for JTT. We were responsible for the day to day EU transit operations and coordinate the marshalling area in liaison with the host nation support, third country nation SNR's and national support elements. Our other main role involved processing personnel both in and out of the mission. EUTM personnel are governed by the SOMA 1 agreement between the EU and the Malian Government. This includes a provision that all EUTM personnel are exempt from all customs and visa regu- lations. We ensured that the SOMA agreement was upheld by means of liaising with the Malian authorities. Our day to day job saw diverse challenges such as the continuing adaptation to an expanding mission in Mali. With this in mind, it's key to utilise equipment and ensure measures are adhered to in managing the stress on equip- ment and vehicles. With such activities time flies by, as each day rolled into the next. Another enjoyable aspect about the mission is getting the opportunity to work alongside many other nationalities, including the Malians themselves. The diverse personalities and different cultures were a common topic in conversations. It's very interesting to learn and dis- cuss the working background and methods of other military forces and sharing/comparing stories of how they operate both back home and overseas. Having the opportunity to work with the local Malians was thoroughly enjoyable. Their culture and mannerism is of a friendly nature, and their wel- come to us had been quite humbling. Over the weeks and months of the trip, various activities and events had been co ordinated in the MHQ. For the Easter weekend, welfare activities such as volleyball and tug of war were organised. Needless to say our Czech comrades outdid us in the tug of war competition, but these events were ex- cellent to participate in, and get involved in, as it is a means and way of making friends through sport. My daily routine varied depending on EUTM Mali's objec- 28 | 'The Welcome from the Malians has been Humbling' 1 Status of Mission Agreement (SOMA) between the EU and Mali.

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