An Cosantóir

www.military.ie the defence forces magazine | 13 On 20th April 2015 An Cosantóir visited the 130-strong 48 Inf Gp, the current Irish unit serving with UNDOF. In- country for two weeks at that time, 48 Inf Gp has a platoon stationed inside the AOS at UN Post 80 (UNP80) acting as observers, and a second platoon acting as QRF with a 15-minute 'notice to move', stationed in Camp Ziouani, 1km from the AOS. In addition the FRC has an EOD/ESSCT capa- bility, a medical detachment and all the required logistical backup such as transport, cooks, technicians, etc. The new Irish contingent intend to build on the success of their predecessors, 46 Inf Gp, and maintain the Irish contin- gent's reputation as a highly-tactical, well-equipped force, and "a force multiplier", as DFC Brig Gen Anthony Hanlon called them, with their C-IED/EOD capabilities, which have become a great asset to UNDOF. On our arrival at Camp Ziouani, Comdt Paul Kelly, 2i/c 48 Inf Gp, briefed us on the troubled region, from the Six-Day War (1967) to the Yom Kippur War (1973) and the May 1974 ceasefire that brought about the UNDOF mission. While he told us that UNDOF is authorised to use force, "up to and including deadly force", under the UN's rules of engagement, Comdt Kelly pointed out that UNDOF doesn't have a mandate to get involved in the internal Syrian conflict; only "to observe breaches of the Disengage- ment Agreement". Later we met with UNDOF DFC Brig Gen Anthony Hanlon who told us that "UNDOF is greatly challenged" and that "danger lurks around every corner". Speaking of how quickly things can change he said: "No one envisaged the major attacks on UN posi- tions or the kidnapping of troops in August 2014 or that the front lines of the Syrian crisis that were 27km away six months ago would now be only 3km away." We asked Brig Gen Hanlon how the Irish contingents are thought of within the mission. "While as DFC I can't favour any unit and I see them all as equals, our troops' performance makes me proud to be Irish," he said. "The three infantry groups to date have been well-capable, well-equipped modern units and have done out- stand- ing work as soldiers - although there's nothing they shouldn't be able to do. They did what needed to be done and they were tested and proven." Brig Gen Hanlon said that in discussions with Israeli and Syrian military leaders and with other UN officials all had complimented the Irish peacekeepers and said it is known "you can rely on the Irish". The DFC finished by saying: "We have been doing our recces, patrols and rehearsal exercises and we will be going back (Bravo side) as soon as possible when it is safe to do so. We need to go back for the credibility of the mission. For 40-years Israel and Syria have been at peace, so the man- date works, but it requires all armed groups to move out of the area." During the form-up phase in Finner Camp, OC 48 Inf Gp, Lt Col Mark Prendergast, spoke about what he expected from his troops, saying he wanted "simple things to the highest stan- dards" and that "amateurs practice something until they can do it right: professionals practice until they can't do it wrong". Epitomising the CO's required standards, the FRC, who are on a 15-minute 'notice to move', have their mobilisation drill timing down to 10 minutes – that's geared up, in the Mowags and ready to go. Lt Col Prendergast, who is very familiar with the area of opera- tions having served as an UNTSO observer and chief of operations here previously, told us: "The DF provides the FRC. We have excellent comms, logs, weapons and troops: no one else has our capabilities. We are operationally self-sufficient and only require food, water and fuel." Speaking about the current chal- lenges in the mission he continued: "Although there are actors inside the AOS that are not part of the Agree- ment, the mandate hasn't changed and we still do our job. We have to deploy a force-protection capability going forward." He finished by saying: "We need to develop our armour ca- pability for present and future deployments and we need these types of missions to develop new leaders and our capabilities and equipment." Engineer Specialist Search Clearance Team (ESSCT) conducting a route- clearance operation. Photo by: Cpl James O'Dea, 48 Inf Gp

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