An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir November / December 2023 www.military.ie/magazine 16 | J3/5 YEAR IN REVIEW BY CAPT KARL DEMPSEY PHOTOS PROVIDED BY CAPT KARL DEMPSEY T he EUs Common Defence & Security Policy (CSDP) provides the EU with the capacity to undertake peacekeeping and crisis management operations thereby strengthening international security in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter. To date, the DF have participated in many CSDP missions and operations. The value the EU places on the type of capacity and experience the DF brings to these missions cannot be overstated. In Mar 22, the EU heads of state & Government agreed the 'Strategic Compass' for strengthening the EU's security and defence policy by 2030. This document reflects Ireland's core values that underpin our approach to CSDP, including Ireland's commitment to effective multilateralism and the rules-based international order. This evolution in EU security & defence policy seeks to encourage increased cooperation between EU member states and Irelands engagement with EUMAM-UA affirms Ireland's commitment to enhanced EU cooperation. The Defence Forces' involvement in EUMAM-UA (EU Military Assistance Mission – Ukraine), which commenced in December 2022 with the deployment of one Staff Officer to the MPCC (Military Planning and Conduct Capability) in Brussels, has brought about several significant benefits for our personnel. This mission has offered our personnel valuable opportunities for growth, development, and DF personnel are in a position to share their expertise with UAF and our EU partners whilst gaining experience through operating in a Multinational HQ. The deployment of three personnel to the Special Training Command in Strausberg, Germany, in April 2023, further enhanced their training and expertise. This exposure to international training environments and collaboration with counterparts from other nations has significantly expanded their skillset. Additionally, the Defence Forces have continued to send mobile training teams to Germany and Cyprus to conduct specialized training in areas such as demining and clearance, tactical combat casualty care, and Drill Instructor training. These deployments have not only enhanced the proficiency of our personnel but also fostered cross-cultural exchange and cooperation, enriching their international experience. In 2024, the Defence Forces plan to maintain their engagement with this mission, ensuring that our soldiers benefit from ongoing opportunities for skill development, professional growth, and collaboration with our international partners. This continued involvement will enable our personnel to stay at the forefront of military practices and maintain a high level of readiness for a variety of operational scenarios, ultimately contributing to the overall readiness and effectiveness of the Defence Forces. OP 'PIANO' BY SO J3/5 The Defence Forces once again responded when called upon during the Maritime Interdiction Operation (MIO) against the 'MV Matthew' on the 26 SEPT '23. The Joint Task force (JTF), an emergency joining of state forces to deal with such incidents, managed this inter-agency operation. However, from the DF perspective, the DF Operations and Plans Branch, known as J3/5, coordinated all elements from the DF. The joint operation involved all elements of the DF including the Army, Naval Service (NS), Air Corps (AC) and Special Operations Force (SOF), the Army Ranger Wing (ARW). From the J3/5 perspective, Operation 'PIANO', required dynamic planning processes that are both robust and well-practiced, yet flexible to produce workable options in a compressed timeline. Relying on Liaison Officers (LOs) from all three (3) services and the ARW were key to the successful outcome of Op PIANO. The ARW, in close cooperation with the NS, Air Corps and J3/5 regularly run MIO and Maritime Counter- Terrorism (MCT) Exercises to prepare for such eventualities. The DF has a Joint Operations Centre (JOC) established exactly for such operations. The DF JOC is operated 24/7 and has been used regularly for both ongoing routine overseas operations and shorter, more high-profile operations such as Op 'PIANO' or the evacuation of Irish citizens from Kabul, Afghanistan in 2021. The setup of the JOC allows for a surge capacity of Liaison Officer's and other qualified advisors as necessary for such operations, coupled with the ability to track operations in real-time. In McKee Bks on the 26 Sept '23, the Director of J3/5 was able to monitor the Maritime Interdiction Operation in a secure setting, on multiple platforms while surrounded by naval, air and SOF advisors. This all enables the JOC to have the latest operational picture and situational awareness in McKee Bks despite the operation taking place off the Southeast coast of Ireland. Op PIANO once again showed how effective the Defence Forces can be when called upon in an emergency and how lessons from previous operations have improved the functioning of the JOC. This setup, and the ability to have advisors readily available in one location ensures that even when time is short and the tactical picture is changing, multiple courses of action can be quickly generated, disseminated and executed to achieve mission success. Counter IED training being provided by DF members EU Military Assistance Mission – Ukraine, DF instructor testing students Ukranian soldier performing counter IED drills DF instructor and interpreter during a student lesson Members of the ARW aboard the MV Matthew

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