An Cosantóir November 2015 www.dfmagazine.ie
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by CPL LEE COyLE PhoToS by CPL NEVILLE COUGHLAN AND CPL LEE COyLE
50 Inf Gp UNDOF
W
ith the ongoing mission in
the golan heights area, to
observe and maintain the
ceasefire between Israeli and Syrian
forces and to supervise the implemen-
tation of the disengagement agree-
ment, having a highly disciplined and
well-trained Infantry group in the area,
is very important.
The 50th Infantry Group, United Na-
tions Disengagement Observer Force
(UNDOF) was officially formed up on
10th August 2015, with the main body
of the unit coming from the 1 Bde Arty
Regt and 1 Cav Sqn from Collins Bks
Cork. This is the first time Artillery and
Cavalry Corps have made up the main
body of an overseas mission.
Out of the 130 members of the unit, 30
of them are on their first trip overseas
and 7 have served in Syria before. So
there is a lot of experience within the
unit, and with the different corps mak-
ing up the main body, it gave members
the chance to cross train artillery and
cavalry skills.
The initial training being conducted in
Kilworth, Co Cork, covered a wide range
of skills including signals, medical, chem-
ical biological radiological and nuclear
(CBRN), anti-ambush drills, mine aware-
ness and counter improvised explosive
devices (C-IED).
With the Mission Ready Exercise (MRE)
being the culmination of overseas train-
ing, the 50 Inf Gp conducted theirs over
two weeks in September in the Glen of
Imaal. The MRE pulls together all the
information and instruction they have
received over the form up. The exercises
covered platoon and company level, in
various scenarios, which puts the skills
they have learned into practice.
