An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir July / August 2026 www.military.ie/magazine ARTICLE BY CAPT BRIAN O'FARRELL AND LT LUKE SWITZER ENGINEERING ENGINEERING FREEDOM OF FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT MOVEMENT Captain Brian O'Farrell I was commissioned with the 98th Cadet Class in 2023 and am currently deployed as an Engineering Officer with the 128 Infantry Battalion serving under a United Nations mandate as part of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). My current overseas appointment commanding the Engineer Platoon is a culmination of The Army Engineers Graduate Programme (AEGP). The AEGP is an elite five-year leadership and professional development programme, which encompasses a cadetship, master's programme, home unit and overseas posting. Prior to my overseas appointment, I was posted to the 2 Field Engineer Company in Custume Barracks, where I lead the Engineer Recce Platoon as part of the unit's Operational Capabilities Concept (OCC) effort. The AEGP has now culminated in my current six-month deployment to Lebanon. 2IC to the Engineer platoon is Sgt Nick Fahy. Having also participated in the OCC effort as the Advanced Search Team (AST) Platoon sergeant, he has completed many military search courses and overseas deployments. As a result, he brings a wealth of experience, knowledge and guidance to the team. The Engineer platoon consists of personnel from across the DF with a wide variety of trades, and skills which are required for the broad range of taskings in the Area of Operations. Lieutenant Luke Switzer I joined the Defence Forces in 2014 and have spent most of my career serving with 1 Brigade Cavalry Squadron, Cork. Having been promoted to Sergeant in 2023, I applied and was selected for the 12th Potential Officer Class, ultimately commissioning as a Lieutenant in 2025. I've undertaken two previous deployments to Lebanon, serving as a Corporal on both. My previous overseas deployments provided me with significant operational experience and a strong understanding of the mission. Having previously served as an NCO in the mission area, I have a thorough appreciation of the roles and responsibilities of those within the Quick Reaction Force (QRF). I am currently deployed with UNIFIL as the Reconnaissance Commander for the QRF, where I lead Quick Reaction Team (QRT) 1 in conducting route reconnaissance, route clearance, and rapid response operations across our area of responsibility. The QRF is made up primarily of Cavalry Corps personnel from units across Ireland, including Sgt Darren Cronin and Sgt Phil O'Keeffe from my home unit. Having completed multiple courses, deployments and training exercises together over the past decade, we bring a wide range of experience, professionalism, and cohesion to the team, enabling us to respond effectively to the wide range of tasks assigned to the QRF. Capt Brian O'Farrell Lt Luke Switzer The QRF–Engineer Partnership in UNIFIL

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