An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir September 2015 www.dfmagazine.ie 18 | O n the 10th July 2015 members of b Coy 49 Inf Gp took part in a crowd riot control (CRC) exercise at UNP 2-45 in lebanon. The exercise had a multinational flavour to it as Finnish and Estonian troops were exercised alongside the Irish unit facing a group of rather loud and boisterous 'riot- ers' provided by Fijibatt. The exercise was the culmination of a week-long CRC course and was designed to simulate potential incidents that could occur in the UNIFIl AO. The scenario, designed by the S7 cell, incorporated many inter- esting serials throughout the two-hour exercise. The scene was set and the action kicked off when a routine patrol was denied access to a village by an angry crowd. When some women (rather convincing actors) feigned injuries that were deemed to have been caused by a moving UN vehicle, the crowd approached the vehicle, voicing their anger. After the patrol radioed for help a Finnish quick-reaction team (QRT) deployed to the area to monitor the situation. As the crowd heckled and threw missiles at them, the Finnish peacekeepers initiated the reporting process back to HQ so a proper picture of the unfolding scene could be delivered to other troops preparing to deploy. The FinnIrish Battalion Mobile Reserve (BMR) was mobilised and arrived on the scene to aid those already in location. After a quick sitrep and ground orientation the Finnish troops deployed from their SISU armoured cars and began to move forward. A section of troops flanked the lead SISU as they inched forward trying to disperse the crowd. Using the loudhailer at- tached to a SISU the on-scene commander or- dered the crowd back, but to no avail. Instead, the crowd began to become more irate and missiles filled the air. While the BMR tried to maintain control of the situation and succeeded in holding some ground, the CRC company was be- ing readied. As soon as the CRC force was deployed and ready to move the BMR pulled back. Another quick sitrep and ground orientation was given and command of the situation was handed over to Comdt Conor Gorey, OC B Coy, who quickly dispatched the Irish CRC platoon to gain the tactical advantage. The platoon formed up quickly and advanced on the rioters, showing controlled aggression as they asserted their dominance in the village and pushed the rioters back. Under a constant bar- rage of missiles and with their lines being probed by more reckless individuals, the platoon remained steadfast. by LT CONOR DUNNE, PIO 115 FINIRISHBATT, UNIFIL CRC EXERCISE

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