An Cosantóir

13 UNDER GOLAN SKIES GONE, BUT NOT GONE APCs firing on the range in the mission area Darkness Into Light celebrated in Camp Faouar Engineers conducting perimeter clearance at OP 56 requirements of the training circular in different locations, with programs developed by section heads and all training coordinated through the Group HQ. Despite these challenges however, the group completed a robust and intensive program of training, emphasizing APC operations, medical training, minefield awareness and counter-IED TTPs. The MRE phase of pre-deployment training saw the group arrive in Coolmoney Camp to conduct a week of LFTT practices from individual dismount through to platoon level day and night attacks supported by APCs. The high level of professionalism combined with collective and individual skills on display throughout the week offered the proof that the decentralised training structure and mission command employed during Phase Two had been an outstanding success. The group was visited by Newstalk during the section level LFTT exercise, who observed a simulated patrol to secure UNMOs following an RTA, with the section providing initial treatment on scene, before withdrawing to the armoured ambulance under their own supporting fire following the initiation of contact. At all stages, force protection and the role of the FRC in reassuring and reinforcing our mission partners was to the fore in every exercise scenario. Following the LFTT week, 63 Inf Gp withdrew to Dún Uí Mhaoilíosa for the FTX phase of assessment. This was the first time such an exercise had been conducted outside of Following a review of the troops by the Chief of Staff, 63 Inf Gp entered a long phase of quarantine, commencing on 24 MAR 21, split between Kilworth and Camp Faouar. This is a UN requirement for all troops deploying overseas during the COVID-19 pandemic. The personnel of 63 Inf Gp were fortunate to have been the first group deploying overseas to receive the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine prior to entering quarantine. This was an important element of force protection, and with the subsequent delivery of the second dose during the quarantine period in Kilworth, the group was able to deploy as the most vaccinated contingent in the UNDOF mission area. In addition to COVID vaccination, the group were supplied with Digisoft contact tracing wristbands through the Joint Task Force, which supported COVID-compliant behaviour while ensuring contact tracing information was immediately available in the event of a positive case at any stage throughout the quarantine period. Fortunately, this was never required and, in the early hours of 07 APR 21, 63 Inf Gp boarded transport for Dublin Airport, COVID-free and ready for service in the UNDOF AOR. After arriving in Syria, the group entered quarantine in the FRC compound within Camp Faouar for a further 14 days. This grace period allowed the group to conduct all necessary equipment checks and familiarisation processes required, given the fact that a physical HOTO with the previous group had not been possible. On 22 APR 21, after almost a month in isolation as a group, 63 Inf Gp began familiarisation patrolling of the entire UNDOF AO. the familiar surrounds of the Glen of Imaal and it offered the group an excellent training location with a very realistic exercise. Patrols and QRF serials were launched to UN positions as far away as Carnagh range, approximately 90km, by day and by night. The unit's headquarters cells were tested by challenging serials and the unit's specialist engineer and ordnance sections were exercised in their organic TTPs. The exercise culminated in the extraction of UNMOs from a simulated UN OP in the Carnagh range area, testing the mech coy on their APC operations and contingency plans which had been carefully developed and rehearsed throughout the exercise in order to provide a simulation of scenarios relevant to the UNDOF mission area.

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