An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir July / August 2024 www.military.ie/magazine 12 | O n 05th April 2024, the 128 members of the 68th Infantry Group departed Camp Faouar, Golan Heights for the last time. This marked the end of the 10-year Irish Defence Forces deployment as the Force Reserve Company (FRC). It also coincided with the 50th Anniversary of the establishment of UNDOF. The complexity of a withdrawal along with handover to a new troop contingent from Kazakhstan was compounded by the outbreak of the Gaza Conflict on 07th October 2023. After a highly successful pre-deployment training package, the main body of the 68th Infantry Group deployed to the Golan Heights on 25 September. In theatre training commenced immediately with the Force Headquarters giving a two-week window for the new FRC to reach Full Operational Capacity (FOC). Along with routine patrolling, area familiarisation and CONPLAN recce, the main effort of the FRC was the Quick Reaction Force (QRF). Rehearsals were conducted at a high tempo that remained in place for the entire deployment. No-one could have predicted how the actions of 07th October would affect the AOR and the region in general. After the outbreak of the conflict in Gaza, FRC informed the Force Commander that they could 'stand-up' as the FRC with immediate effect and did not require the full training time to reach FOC. The FRC then set about establishing their routine and continuing their CONPLAN and QRF rehearsals. We experienced a number of GROUNDHOGs due to armed elements firing into the Area of Separation (AOS) into the Alpha side. This led to response by the Israeli Defence Forces in the form of artillery and rocket fire back into the Syrian side of the AOS. The FRC settled into their routine very quickly, conducting regular MOWAG and AUV patrols within the AOS. In Dec, the FRC were the first unit to patrol to the southern tip of the AOR, on the Jordanian border in over a year which benefitted the mission, including increased positive engagement between the UNDOF HQ and Alpha-side forces. The unit also conducted a number of Deliberate Operations during this time such as a number of UXO disposals in densely populated areas by the Ordnance Section and route clearance operations of UN Observation Posts by the Engineer Section. All operations were conducted to a very high standard due to the excellent standards of all personnel involved. Withdrawal Plan A Campaign plan for withdrawal was devised by OC 68 Inf Gp, Lt Col Oliver Clear early in the deployment, with several planning meetings taking place. All key appointment holders within the unit were invited to contribute to the planning process, no matter how small they thought their idea was. This was a welcome initiative as it ensured unity of effort, with all members of the unit striving to complete this task to a high standard. The first part of the plan involved testing the complex border between Syria and Lebanon without delay in order to gauge the approximate timeline for a crossing to be completed, as all DF vehicles, equipment and personnel would have to complete this move as part of a withdrawal. END OF AN ERA END OF AN ERA DF FRC WITHDRAWAL FROM UNDOF 2024 ARTICLE BY CAPT GERRY DUFF ARTICLE BY CAPT GERRY DUFF PHOTOS PROVIDED BY CAPT GERRY DUFF PHOTOS PROVIDED BY CAPT GERRY DUFF Members of the unit pictured with UNDOF Force Commander, Lt Gen THAPA (NEPAL) at the Indian Contingent Festival of Colour FRC QRF conducting a QRF rehearsal involving CASEVAC to a UN OP

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