An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir November / December 2023 www.military.ie/magazine 34 | BACKGROUND The 68th Infantry Group deployed to Camp Faouar as part of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in the Golan Heights on 05 October 2023 under the command of Lt Col Oliver Clear. The group consists of 130 personnel. There are 14 officers, one chaplain and 115 enlisted personnel. For 33 personnel this is their first overseas tour of duty. The lead unit for the mission was the 6th Infantry Battalion based in Custume Barracks, Athlone. The 68th Infantry Group was a joint-arms unit containing personnel from the Army and Air Corps. The 68th Infantry Group is a unit composed of soldiers with a wide berth of skillsets. The largest element of the unit is the Mechanised Infantry Company under the command of Comdt Paul Conlon. The unit contains two Mechanised Infantry Platoons and a Reconnaissance Section with both Cavalry and Artillery troops. The unit contains HQ staff with various roles including Signals, Medics, Engineers, Ordnance, Transport, Logistics and Military Police, who all serve to support the unit mission of being the UNDOF Force Commanders Reserve (FRC), who can be called on at any time to support United Nations elements situated within the Area of Separation (AOS). Prior to deployment, the unit underwent a period of focused training in areas such as Battlefield First Aid (BFA), Life Fire Tactical Training (LFTT) and Corps specific skills training such as Engineer Specialist Search and Clearance and Explosive Ordanance Disposal. The UNDOF Area of Operations In order to carry out its mandate, since 1974 (after the Israel Syrian conflict) UNDOF has maintained an AOS between Israel and Syria. The AOS is approximately 80 kilometres long, and ranging from 10 kilometres wide in the centre, and as little as 200 metres in the extreme south. The terrain in the Northern section of the AOS is mountainous, and dominated by Mount Hermon, which is where the highest manned UN post in the world is situated at a height of 2,814 metres, "Hermon Hotel". The AOS is broken into three sectors, North, Centre and South. Camp Faouar, which is the home of the 68th Infantry Group for the next six months, is located in the North Eastern area of Sector Centre. Unit Operational Readiness and Situation The security situation in the region is dynamic and complex. Violence occurs regularly, with a large portion of security related incidents occurring in the Southern section of the UNDOF AOS. Targeted killing, IED attacks and shootings are a weekly occurrence. The 68th Infantry Group maintains a high level of operational readiness during their deployment in order to be able to respond to any potential incidents occurring in the area. Recent Events and Activities Since arriving in UNDOF, the 68th Infantry Group has carried out a wide spectrum of tasks. The Unit conducts daily Observe Monitor and Reporting patrols to observe any violations that may be seen within our Area of Operation. The Unit has also trained and practiced their ability to conduct Contingency Planning (Con-Plan) Operations in the Event other UN groups become distressed and require evacuation. The unit continues to upskill its soldiers in Tactical Techniques and procedures in relation to medical, movement, communication and operating as part of a Mechanised Infantry Company. In November, a vast proportion of the unit signed up to "Movember", to raise awareness surrounding men's mental health, suicide awareness and male specific cancer awareness. The are three-unit values which are, and will continue to be the unit mantra for the deployment. They are, "Give of our Best, Do the Right Thing and to Take Care of Each Other". UNDOF THE 68TH INFANTRY GROUP BY COMDT PAUL CONLON PHOTOS PROVIDED BY COMDT PAUL CONLON Patrolling the Area of responsibility Unit CONPLAN 66th Inf Gp Unit picture

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