An Cosantóir

18 | Sarsfield Bks Sendoff for 108 Bn By Wesley Bourke Photos Armn Neville Coughlan T MISSION READY By Sgt Wayne Fitzgerald photos Armn Jason Byrne (105 Sqn) I n mid-April, 332 Defence Forces troops from 108 IrishFinn Battalion carried out their mission readiness exercise (MRE) in preparation for their deployment to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in May. The MRE put the unit's commanders and soldiers through a demanding series of scenarios based on the current situation in Lebanon and potential threats that may be encountered in the volatile mission area. Scenarios involved simulated explosive strikes, helicopter drills, anti-ambush tactics, detailed operational planning and medical evacuation exercises. Deputy Chief of Staff (Operations) Maj Gen Ralph James who was visiting the exercise said: "This mission readiness exercise is testing our troops across a spectrum of realistic simulated peace support scenarios. This training has been realistic and thoroughly robust. I am confident that this unit will maintain the excellent reputation of the Irish Defence Forces in this troubled region and I wish them well on their forthcoming tour of duty." The OC of 108 IrishFinn Battalion is Lt Col Anthony McKenna, from Cahir, Co Tipperary, who is currently OC 12 Inf Bn. Lt Col McKenna, who has over 32 years' service with the Defence Forces, has previously served overseas in Somalia, Syria, Chad and Afghanistan. At the MRE he said: "I am looking forward to the honour of taking command of this combined Irish-Finnish unit on overseas service. This volatile mission area will always test peacekeepers but I know this unit is up to the challenge." An Cosantóir June 2013 www.dfmagazine.ie he Minister of State at the Dept of Defence, Paul Kehoe TD, recently reviewed the 332 Irish personnel of 108 IrishFinn Bn prior to the unit's deployment to Lebanon to replace 107 IrishFinn Bn. Over the past several months the peacekeepers of 108 IrishFinn Bn have been trained in civil-military co-operation (CIMIC), humanitarian assistance, armoured patrolling, and counterimprovised explosive device (CIED) detection, just to name a few. The training culminated with the unit's MRE in the Glen of Imaal. The unit, which began its deployment to South Lebanon on May 9th, will be headquartered in Camp 2-45 close to the village of At Tiri area. While for 76 of the soldiers this is their first time overseas, others have multiple trips, such as Coy Sgt Patrick Ryan for whom this will be his 21st trip overseas. Coy Sgt Ryan first deployed to South Lebanon in 1978 with 43 Inf Bn, Ireland's first battalion to serve with UNIFIL. Minister Kehoe wished the troops a safe tour of duty and told them that they are "carrying on a proud tradition of bringing peace and security to the world". Brother and sister Sgt Darren Nolan and Pte Amy Nolan from Kilkenny. Brothers Ptes Barry and Murtagh Pennefather.

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