An Cosantóir

23 UNDOF REPOR other occasions in places such as Chad, Liberia etc. "There is pride in serving your country, and the UN, in this way", he said, "Plus, Irish troops are held in very high regard, especially in UNDOF where their skill set – engineers, ordnance etc, are really acknowledged and appreciated." Yet while the work they have to do there is vital to the overall success of the UN remit, it is a six-month tour of duty without leave which won't see them returning home to Ireland until April 2021. "That is a big difference from previous missions, there will be no leave," he said adding this was a tough ask for them. "It is a long time to be away and particularly hard on those with young families at home, especially at Christmas, and it is because of COVID-19 that there will be no leave in that period. But everyone knew this from the start," said Lt Col Carey. He added that COVID-19 has had impacts in all sorts of ways, not least in the quarantine restrictions before departure from Dublin and on arrival in the camp. Yet it's good news for the 61st Infantry Group who could come home when they had been relieved. "Before we left Ireland you could hear the excitement in their voices on the phone, they were really looking forward to getting home after being away for so long," even though they faced 14 days quarantine on arrival back in Ireland. As for Lt Col Carey himself, he is really looking forward to the mission. The highlight of his Army career up to now, he recalls, was serving as Battalion Commander of the 27th Infantry Battalion based in Aiken Barracks in Dundalk, Co Louth, for two and a half years. "Joining the Army and attaining officer rank you always want to lead troops. To be a Battalion Commander was the pinnacle but to lead troops overseas is another highlight", he said adding that this was his first mission abroad. "It is something I am looking forward to, something I have always wanted to do", he added. A native of Bangor Erris in Co. Mayo, Lt Col Carey began his Army career in 1986 – completing 34 years of exemplary service which is even now reaching new heights. Minister for Defence Simon Coveney TD addresses the 62nd Inf Gp on their March Past day back in September 2020 A soldier of the 62nd Inf Gp carries out his marking drills during the MRE in the Glen of Imaal Troops from the 62nd Inf Gp carry out a minesweeping exercise in the Glen of Imaal on the MRE A Soldier travelling to UNDOF Syria receives orders during the MRE UNDOF was established by UNSCR350 in 1974 following the agreed disengagement of Israeli and Syrian forces on the Golan Heights after the ending of the Yom Kippur War. The Force deployed in and around an area of separation, which is 80km long and varying from 10km to 1km in width. UNDOF is the only military presence allowed in the area of separation, and it has 44 manned positions and 11 observation posts. The Defence Forces' first contribution to this mission consisted of providing one force commander, Brigadier General Dave Stapleton (RIP) (subsequently Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces). In September 2013 the Defence Forces was asked to participate and supply a larger group of troops to the Mission. They will be primarily tasked as the Force Mobile Reserve to undertake reinforcement, reaction, escort and other operations throughout UNDOF's area of responsibility.

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