An Cosantóir

| 25 www.military.ie THE DEFENCE FORCES MAGAZINE CHENS 2023 The Chiefs of European Navies (CHENS) is an annually held, independent and apolitical forum which is attended by the Chiefs of Staff of European nations, who as members of NATO or the European Union, have a military navy. The event seeks to promote understanding between navies of the member countries, to examine issues of common and mutual interest and to increase awareness of maritime domain trends and in member countries. This year the Flag Officer Commanding Naval Service (FOCNS) held the presidency and was responsible for hosting the event. There are 27 participating nations (Albania, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Germany, Denmark, Spain, Estonia, Finland, France, United Kingdom, Greece, Croatia, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Latvia, Malta, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia and Turkey) and four associate delegations (NATO MARCOM, NATO IMS, USN 6th Fleet and EUMS) who are invited as observers for CHENS each year. In May 2023 Ireland hosted this event for only the second time (previously hosted in 2001) and the 2 day programme was hosted in Cork. This event was attended by over 100 people from 27 different international delegations and had international speakers from military, industry and academia presenting on the theme of Naval Implementation of Emergent Disruptive Technologies. The co-ordination for this event was led by the Naval Service and would not have been possible without significant support and logistical assistance received from a wide variety of Defence Forces Units and State Agencies to deliver the event successfully. The event received extremely positive feedback and served to strengthen international ties for the Irish Naval Service in the Maritime domain. OPERATION IRINI - EUNAVFORMED In accordance with the government decision to contribute to the maritime mission OPERATION IRINI, LÉ WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS deployed in June 2023 to EUNAVFOR MED. During their 34 day deployment period, they operated to enforce UN Security Council Resolution 2292 and 2578, including the interception of illicit cargo such as weapons or oil bound to or from Libya. On a daily basis, the ship's crew conducted Friendly Approaches of merchant vessels. The friendly approach team was made up of 4 personnel, Boarding Officer and three NCO's. Prior to conducting a Friendly Approach, the ship would conduct a hail on the target vessel. Once the approach was approved, the Operations Officer would brief the Friendly Approach Team. This briefing would include information such as the ship's cargo, last port of call, the number of and the nationality of ship's crew and any other relevant information which would assist the approach. The team would then be mounted and COD6 (Use of Force) brief carried out, before launching the team on a RHIB. The team would embark the target vessel via a boarding ladder and would make themselves known to the ship's crew. The team would conduct a thorough inspection of the vessels documentation and of the vessel itself. The aim is to obtain as much intelligence as possible, including pictures of cargo or other items which may be deemed hazardous. Once the approach was complete, the team would return to the Unit to collate all the intelligence and information gathered, a formal de-brief could take place and an after action report would be sent to Fleet HQ. During its deployment with EUNAVFORMED, the ship fell into the fleet's battle rhythm as directed by Fleet HQ. In line with this directed battle rhythm, the ship also entered Sicily, Souda Bay and Malta. This was a very successful deployment, and proved the interoperability between the NS and other European Navies. MV MATTHEW SEIZURE The Joint Task Force (JTF) on Narcotics Interdiction carried out a coordinated Operation at sea on the 26th September. The JTF comprises members of the Naval Service, Revenue Customs Service and An Garda Síochána which resulted in the detention of a Panamanian registered bulk cargo vessel that originated in South America, "MV Matthew". A significant quantity of suspected controlled drugs were located onboard. The Defence Forces played a pivotal role in this operation after receiving a request for assistance from the JTF. The LÉ WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS, two AW139 helicopters, one CASA fixed wing aircraft and once PC12 fixed wing aircraft all participated in the intelligence led operation in addition to the Army Ranger Wing (ARW). The MV Matthew was being tracked by the Naval Service over the previous days and was detained following the firing of warning shots by the LÉ WILLAM BUTLER YEATS. A specialist team from the ARW were then deployed via helicopter, onto the MV Matthew via fast rope insertion, in challenging conditions. The ARW made the vessel safe and enabled it's boarding by officials and personnel from the Naval Service, the Garda National Drugs Unit, Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB) and Revenue's Customs Service. The MV Matthew was escorted by the Naval Service to an Irish port where it was detained to allow for a detailed search and investigation by the relevant state agencies. A number of arrests have resulted from the successful operation. NSR MOTOR LAUNCHES (MLS) As part of the ongoing regeneration of the Naval Service Reserve (NSR), a contract has been awarded to an Irish firm for the construction and delivery of up to four Motor Launches (MLs) for use by the NSR. The 14metre, twin engine MLs will be deployed to each NSR unit (Waterford, Limerick, Dublin & Cork) to reinforce and enhance their maritime capabilities in the littoral environment, in support of their Port Security role and wider operational support to the NS and DF. The MLs will be armed with 7.62mm GPMGs and fitted with secure military communications, to ensure full interoperability with the DF Joint Common Operational Picture (DF JCOP). In preparation of the arrival of the first ML, a new programme of training was implemented for NSR personnel to qualify them to crew and master the MLs. A series of modularised courses were provided to facilitate the dual commitments of NSR personnel (to the DF and their full time civilian employment). This was further enhanced with the award of Department of Transport (DoT) Passenger Boat Certificate of Proficiency (Category A commercial endorsement), on completion of the requisite examination and certification by external assessors. The first ML is due for delivery in February 2024, on completion of a series of Harbour and Sea Acceptance Trials (HATs & SATs). This will be completed in close coordination with the Marine Survey Office (MSO). It is expected that each follow on ML will be completed every twelve months. The NSR ML Build Project is being project managed by a First Line Reserve Officer (Lt Cdr MEO). This reinforces the importance and capability of the First and Second Line Reserve to the NS, in the delivery of operational capability. The NSR ML Project is also a manifestation of the positive future that is envisaged for the NSR, in accordance with the Government intent to implement Level Of Ambition 2 (LOA 2) of the Commission on the Defence Forces Report, published in February 2022. NS "SHIP" ADVERT The first Naval Service specific advertisement was developed, produced and launched this year in conjunction with the production company KICK Dublin, as part of the wider DF "Be More" recruitment campaign. This advert focuses on the values and qualities represented by words such as mentor, leader and guardian which can be found in one place; onboard an Irish Naval Service ship. The footage was shot onboard L.É. George Bernard Shaw in May with the rollout commencing in June across TV, Cinema, Social Media, Radio, Digital Audio and Print. This project is an exciting development for the NS and broadens the reach and scope of the ongoing recruitment campaign. www.military.ie THE DEFENCE FORCES MAGAZINE | 25 NS hosted a recent CHENS Conference NS picture showing Air Corps AW139 and ARW operators after boarding the MV Matthew

• Cover