An Cosantóir

| 35 www.military.ie THE DEFENCE FORCES MAGAZINE UNIFIL 122 INF BN This article follows the recently published feature in the Jul/Aug edition of the An Cosantóir which followed troops of the 122 Inf Bn, UNIFIL. This unit recently returned to Ireland and was replaced by the 123 Inf Bn. Tensions have escalated in the region in the intervening time, and troops describe their experiences below. CPL RAY THOMPSON, BTA CPL, RECCE COY I am now coming to the end of my 4th overseas mission serving with the 122nd Inf Bn in UNIFIL. My appointment is Command Post Ack with Mortar Platoon in Recce Coy. My role is to survey into position a Battery of 120mm mortars before they are fired. One of my main tasking's during the tour was being a Patrol Commander. As Patrol Commander, I was tasked with conducting vehicle and foot patrolling in our Area of Operations on numerous occasions, working in conjunction with the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) while building relations and strengthening our ties. Patrolling the AO gives the battalion an understanding of what's happening in the local area and builds up relationships with the local population. As we entered the last two months of our deployment the tensions between Israel and Gaza escalated which had a knock-on effect in Lebanon and especially within our AO. This meant that as things escalated daily, we had to enter groundhog (into a bunker) and defensive positions on most days during our final few weeks, this is just a reminder of how serious we as peacekeepers need to know our roles and to be competent at our job. All of the training that we had gained pre-deployment came into effect when these real-life situations became our reality. LT CLARE MURPHY, CAV TROOP COMDR, RECCE COY Coming to the end of my first deployment, I have a lot to reflect on. The learning curve was steep but rewarding. We completed many inter-contingency exercises and operations such as Familiarisation Deployments (FAMDEP) and Permanent Deployments (PERMDEP) with the French and Finnish components of the Force Commander Reserve (FCR) and one large Mass Casualty (MASCAL) exercise with our own Polish colleagues called 'Angel Rescue' which included a heli medevac. The exercises included Personnel Recovery (PR), RTA, EOD and MASCAL. These were excellent to do as we had exercised our own MASCAL and RTA drills in the Glen of Imaal on Pre-Deployment training. As we are coming to the end of our Deployment, we find ourselves conducting OPs and reacting to real life HIGHFIELDs (QRT Callouts), MASCAL operations, firefighting support and multiple GROUNDHOGS, in light of the kinetic activity between Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) and Non-State Actors (NSA). Recce Coy QRT were tasked with providing OP screens, reporting on fall of shot and strike or launch locations. Recce Coy also had the additional task of creating Emergency Response Teams. These teams were created and trained to deploy as AUVs and MOWAGs to help evacuate civilians from towns in our AO. These ERTs were also used to provide security to B Coy during a breakdown and security for firefighters in SW. The training and exercises ran during Form Up and throughout the Deployment have proven invaluable to prepare us. Recce Coy personnel were excellent in their reaction times, standing up on immediate notice and never faltering in their determination to do their job. Recce Coy personnel's work ethic, resilience and drive never wavered during the hours spent in OPs, including the hours often in an OP while the rest of the camp were continuing with daily life. Recce Coy personnel did themselves proud doing their best with their accurate reporting, attention to detail, caring for each other and doing the right thing and owning their responsibilities while maintaining excellent standards and performance. The support and guidance offered by all ranks for the duration of the Trip was consistent and invaluable to me to learn and do my job to the best of my ability. I could not have asked for a better Coy to work with on my first deployment. UNP 6-52 PLATOON POSITION DURING THE CONFLICT LT DYLAN CADOGAN UNP 6-52 is Platoon sized post situated approximately four hundred meters from the Blue Line, which is the internationally recognised line of separation between Northern Israel and Southern Lebanon. The post consists of thirty A Coy and BSG, IRISHPOLBATT personnel who monitor and report activities along the Blue Line on a twenty- four hour basis. In addition, the post conducts routine operational patrols and has an Immediate Reaction Team on standby to deploy at short notice. The weeks following the attack on Israel on 07 Oct have seen the situation and relations between North and South of the border deteriorate rapidly. Over the last few weeks, troops in UNP 6-52 have observed and reported rocket and artillery fire, tank and small arms fire and airstrikes in both Lebanon and Israel on a daily basis. The location of the post and proximity to the fires have highlighted the importance of the location and purpose of UNP 6-52. During this time, the post has been subject to a significant number of Groundhogs, where troops must immediately seek shelter in bunkers due to nearby fire, and Danger Close situations, where incoming artillery, rocket and tank fire is sufficiently close to risk wounding troops. Our drills and procedures have been frequently put to the test, which has highlighted two distinct areas. Firstly, recent events have highlighted the resilience and professionalism of the Irish soldier. In times of extreme pressure and uncertainty it has showcased the reliability and determination of the 122 Inf Bn members. We as a group have had to adapt to an ever changing environment ranging from shells and rockets flying over the post, to providing medical attention to civilians caught in the crossfire. Secondly, situations like now have made everyone appreciate the importance of the Pre- Deployment Training which was received in the Glen of Imaal back in April. The long hours of planning for every eventuality has proven to be of the upmost importance. PROVIDED BY COMDT BARRY HANNON Blue line patrol UNIFIL troops taking part in MASCAL Ex UNIFIL troops in groundhog

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