An Cosantóir

16 The Irish FRC for the past months has provided critical support to UNDOF engineers seeking to implement the reoccupation of UN Post 86 Bravo. This is part of the UNDOF phased return to the Bravo side after the destruction of UN Posts during the ongoing civil war. Shortly after the initial deployment of 63 Inf Gp, ESSC assets were requested to clear a large area in and around UNP 86B, a former UN position adjacent to the Alpha Line, which had been occupied and destroyed during the civil war. Irish engineers completed this task and the position was handed over for redevelopment by UNDOF HQ. Throughout the deployment, 63 Inf Gp have continued to support this project, providing armoured escorts and force protection for UNDOF HQ staff, materials and other assets in order to ensure safe and secure conveyance of personnel and materials. The reward for this is in seeing the realisation of strategic objectives and the enhancement of the UNDOF mission and its presence in the Area of Separation, as the Uruguayan Mechanised Infantry Company began to occupy this redeveloped post last week. On 07 APR 21, 63 Infantry Group deployed to the Golan UNDOF UNDOF The area at UNP 86B that Irish Engineers have cleared for redevelopment by UNDOF Members of the 63rd Infantry Group, carrying out a force protection patrol inside the UNDOF area of operations Irish troops of the Chéad Chathláin Coisithe (1st Infantry Battalion) providing armoured escorts and force protection for UNDOF HQ staff 1 Heights, in Southwestern Syria to take up the role of the Force Reserve Company in the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force mission (UNDOF). The majority of the soldiers deployed are from an Chéad Chathláin Coisithe (1st Infantry Battalion), based in Dún Uí Mhaoilíosa, Renmore, Galway. The Irish Infantry Group's main task is to operate the Quick Reaction Force (QRF) throughout the UNDOF mission area. They are ready to rapidly deploy at the Force Commander's command. The Group has a wide range of capabilities, including armoured force protection, patrolling and mobility, communications, engineer search and clearance, Explosive Ordinance Disposal, medical and a wide range of operational expertise. Since their initial deployment they have completed multiple operations by day and night including armed patrols throughout the mission area, armed escorts of United Nations personnel and search and clearance operations of United Nations positions destroyed during the ongoing civil war. The soldiers are deployed in Syria for six months and will return to Ireland in October. By Sgt Aidan Barrett Photos provided by Sgt Aidan Barrett

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