An Cosantóir February 2016 www.dfmagazine.ie
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by CAPT P FINNEGAN ESSCO, FRC, 50TH INF GP
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ESSC Searchers conducting
area clearance
T
he United Nations Disengagement Observer
Force (UNDOF) was established on 31st May 1974
to implement UN Security Council Resolution
338 (October 1973), which had called for an immediate
ceasefire between Israel and Syria during the 1973 war.
Following years of relative peace in the Area of Sepa-
ration (AoS) the mission changed dramatically in 2013
due to the deteriorating security situation in Syria.
The current Irish UNDOF contingent, 50 Inf Gp, is
tasked with providing the Force Reserve Company (FRC),
consisting of a variety of specialist capabilities, from
an armoured quick reaction force to engineer specialist
search clearance, in what has become a dynamic and
volatile mission.
After a few short weeks in theatre, 50 Inf Gp was
tasked by the Joint Operation Centre (JOC) to carry out
Operation 'Moonraker', an area-clearance operation
on the Mount Hermon range, which is undoubtedly
key terrain for the mission as it dominates and over-
watches Syria to the southeast, Israel to the southwest,
and Lebanon and the disputed Chebaa Farms to the
Force Package on route to
Clearance Area
