An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir November 2014 www.dfmagazine.ie 12 | Praise for UNDOF Unit T he following is an abridged reproduction of a speech given by Brig Gen tony hanlon, Deputy Force Commander UNDOF, to the members of 44th Infantry Group, during their medal parade on 27th September 2014. "The Defence Forces have a long, distinguished and proud record of peacekeeping with the UN. Since 1958, we have had a continuous presence on peace-support operations across the globe. "The Defence Forces have had a long and turbulent association with this part of the world. Almost 50 of our colleagues died in Lebanon, with many more wounded or injured. This is a dangerous and volatile region. This contingent is testament to the danger and volatility that lies within this beautiful, tragic place. "The Force Reserve Company quickly established itself as the key enabler, the pivot, of the operational capability of the UNDOF mission. The contingent moved quickly through pre-deployment in Stephens Bks, Kilkenny, in January; onwards to deployment in March; and to the achievement of full operational capability shortly after arrival in-theatre. Now you are in the final phase: end of tour, relief-in-place and redeployment back to Ireland. "Regrettably the FC is on leave and it falls to me in his absence to thank you for the critical operational role you played in this mission. Please believe me when I say that you have made an entire nation proud of your operational achievements and the way you added further to the esteem in which Irish soldiers are held internationally. I am immensely proud of you and privileged to be associated with your achievements. "This contingent, consisting of 130 personnel, is the second rotation of Irish personnel to the Golan Heights. The contin- gent delivered, and will continue to deliver up until the handover/takeover, the critical enablers of QRF; force reserve; and specialist IEDD, C-IED and EOD capabilities, on behalf of UNDOF. "I applaud all your first tour personnel. The great depth of experience in your contingent has been the bedrock and guid- ing hand for those on their first tour of duty. There is a combined 239 previous overseas tours of duty in 44 Inf Gp, from deployments to Lebanon, Liberia, Kosovo, Afghanistan, East Timor, Eritrea, Bosnia, Hondu- ras, Uganda, Iran/Iraq, Chad/CAR, Congo, and now Syria. "Your primary tasking was to provide a quick reaction force but the reality is that you did so much more. To date you have completed an average of FROM THE ARCHIVES An Cosantóir Volume 74, Issue, 09, Nov 2014

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