An Cosantóir

| 13 www.military.ie THE DEFENCE FORCES MAGAZINE A successful move of vehicle parts was completed into Lebanon in Jan 24. This gave us the approximate time it would take for storage containers to clear both Syrian and Lebanese customs checks and gave us a rough timeframe to work off for the rest of the withdrawal moves. From the beginning of February, with two months of the deployment remaining, the unit's work ramped-up as we had to prepare for the withdrawal whilst conducting a detailed, safe and orderly handover to the new FRC Contingent deploying from Kazakhstan. Mission Command. Theory vs Practice. Mission Command is a central part of leadership training in most modern armed forces. It is regularly spoken about in our own Military College on the many Officer and NCO career advancement courses also. This deployment with UNDOF was the first time where I witnessed MC in action. The CO levelled a huge amount of trust in the Officers and NCOs of the unit to complete both the withdrawal and the handover after issuing his commanders guidance. This level of trust ensured that the unit strived to succeed to support the commander's intent. The S4 Cell under the control of Capt Andrew O'Neill and BQMS Colm Donnelly were tasked to plan and conduct the withdrawal. Concurrently, the S3 Cell with Capt Cathal Owens, BSM Anthony Jinks, CQMS Thomas Campbell and myself were tasking with the planning, conduct and supervision of the handover to Kazakhstan FRC (KAZCOY). Handover to KAZCOY An Advance Party from KAZCOY arrived in the mission area in February. Kazakhstan's deployment to UNDOF was a national effort, as it was their first overseas deployment with the UN. Joint training commenced immediately with KAZCOY Officers, NCOs and APC drivers accompanying FRC personnel on patrols to familiarise themselves with the AOR. The members of KAZCOY were highly motivated, eager and driven so this assisted greatly in the handover process. The main point of contact was the KAZCOY DCO, who had previous overseas experience as a staff officer in UNIFIL. The new KAZCOY FRC would mirror the Irish FRC ORBATT in the way their QRF was structured by way of vehicles and personnel. KAZCOY deployed their main body in March with all vehicles, equipment and personnel landing in Damascus. FRC then had the task of conducting route familiarisation and QRF rehearsals with all KAZCOY pers. For a period of four weeks, this intensive training package was conducted by the excellent officers and NCOs of FRC who assisted KAZCOY on a daily a basis with this task. Capt Muiris O'Murchu and Sgt Warren Curtin were the driving force behind the slick transition from Irish to Kazakh FRC due to their tireless efforts daily with orders, patrolling and rehearsals. Over a period of two weeks, the remaining withdrawal moves were scheduled to take place. This had to be synchronised with the handover plan as the FRC were required to maintain operational readiness until 12 days prior to our withdrawal. Four moves were scheduled to move vehicles and equipment to the port in Beirut where a J4 work party awaiting to supervise the loading of a container ship that would transport all this equipment back to Éire. Vehicles and equipment were loaded and moved in packets with no issues encountered at the border crossings. The relationships developed during our deployment (and previous deployments) with Syrian Armed Forces (SAF), Senior Syrian Arab Delegate (SSAD) and UN MOVECON were a key enabler to this withdrawal and should be established and maintained in future DF overseas deployments. On the night of 04 April, a poignant and sad occasion took place as Irish troops paraded for the last time in the FRC Square, with the tricolour lowered by BSM Jinks. The 68th Infantry Group then mounted transport and withdrew to Beirut for the flight home. This marked the end of the DF 10-year deployment as the UNDOF FRC. Overall, this was a busy, eventful and challenging deployment for 68 Inf Gp. The success of the work completed, in an ever-changing operational environment was testament to the excellent teamwork, determination and commitment displayed by all members of the unit throughout the deployment. OC 68 Inf Gp, Lt Col Oliver Clear hands over the UN flag to incoming FRC Comdr from KAZCOY The repatriation of Mission equipment to Ireland via Beirut port BSM Anthony Jinks and CS Stephen Lynch at the 68 Inf Gp Half Marathon that took place at the end of deployment Capt Duff speaking to the media during the media visit to UNDOF UNDOF medals 68 Inf Gp Unit

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