An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir May / June 2025 www.military.ie/magazine A s a Platoon Commander within the European Union Battlegroup's (EUBG) Force Protection Company, I deployed to MILEX-25 from 3-12 April 2025. I had the privilege of leading my troops through a rigorous and enlightening exercise that showcased Ireland's operational readiness and capacity to conduct crisis management operations, alongside our European counterparts. MILEX-25 was an ALERT-DEPLOY exercise that took place at Pápa Airbase in Hungary, which simulated the Main Operating Base for any potential deployment of the EUBG. The exercise involved 13 countries and at its height 167 Irish personnel, including a LFTT Cadre of Irish Safety Staff. This comprehensive exercise aimed to train and test the EUBG, as part of the European Union's Rapid Deployment Capacity. The EUBG operates within a strict 10 day notice to move period which enables a rapid, robust, and effective response to conflicts and crises around the world, involving up to 5,000 troops and integrating land, air, maritime, and cyber components. The exercise required troops to be mobilised, transported, and operationally deployed in Hungary within this short timeframe. The Irish contingent, which serves as the Force Protection Company for the Force Headquarters of the EUBG, were responsible for ensuring the security of the Main Operating Base throughout the exercise. We achieved this by conducting counter reconnaissance patrols, maintaining defensive positions and manning the "War Gate", controlling the access of all personnel in and out of the Main Operating Base. Despite the challenges posed by a nearby Foot and Mouth outbreak, which required the support of the German and Lithuanian CBRN platoons to conduct post-exercise decontamination, we remained focused and operational. Our deployment to Hungary was expedited, and our initial platoons were operational within a remarkable 2 hours of landing in the Pápa Airbase. This quick response showcased our preparedness and adaptability in the face of unforeseen circumstances. The exercise not only tested our operational capabilities but also provided valuable insights in to how our European colleagues operate. The multinational environment allowed us to interact closely with troops from various nations, fostering cross-cultural understanding and enhancing our collective readiness and cohesion. Our integration into the multinational command structure highlighted Ireland's professionalism and commitment to the EU's Common Security and Defence Policy. I assumed the role of Platoon Commander of 2 Platoon in March 2025 after I finished instructing an Army 2-3 star course. This deployment was my first time abroad with the Defence Forces and was a great experience for me. Leading a platoon within the EUBG has provided me with invaluable lessons in command, decision- making, and operational planning, adding to my leadership skills and capabilities. In preparation for MILEX-25 exercise, we, as a contingent, embarked on a detailed deployment plan to transition from Ireland to Hungary within the 10 day notice period. The initial step involved notifying our troops, ensuring that all personnel were informed of the upcoming exercise and mobilisation requirements. Concurrently, we focused on preparing essential travel documents, ensuring that all necessary paperwork was in order for our transition to Hungary. We paid particular attention to the preparation of personal kit, ensuring that each soldier had the required gear, uniforms, protective equipment, and essentials for the exercise. Company equipment was also prepared for deployment, ensuring that all the necessary tools and resources ARTICLE BY LT PHILIP O'BRIEN PHOTOS PROVIDED BY LT PHILIP O'BRIEN AND HQ EUROCORPS Irish troops deplane in Papa Airbase 84 Det conducting dry drills in Bakony Training area Irish troops land in Papa Airbase, Hungary 2 Pln conduct dry drills before night firing MILEX 25 Leading the Irish Contingent in a Multinational Rapid Deployment Exercise 14 |

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