An Cosantóir

www.military.ie the defence forces magazine | 19 north. The task was to clear mines, unexploded ordnance (UXO) and explosive remnants of war (ERW), in order to provide the Nepalese contingent with safe areas within which to train and operate. A force package of 24 personnel was assembled to carry out this mission, consisting of an engineer specialist search and clearance (ESSC) team, an explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) team, a cavalry armoured recce section, tactical emergency medical operators (TEMOs), a heavy- vehicle mechanic, and a communications technician. The six-day mission for the FRC grouping would include travelling over 700km, passing through three countries and operating at an altitude in excess of 2,300m (nearly two-and-a-half times the highest point in Ireland). In order to achieve the mission objectives a significant amount of preparation took place. A full staff estimate was conducted by OC FRC to ensure that all eventualities were planned and catered for. This meticulous planning process ensured all operational and mission support requirements were met to the highest standards. The FRC DCO co-ordinated a comprehensive programme of mission work-up training for all elements to ensure operational cohesiveness and the implementation of risk mitigation to enhance the safety of personnel while carrying out the task. On D-Day the armoured convoy formed up in Camp Zi- ouani fully prepared for the operation and headed off to Mount Hermon, where they spent the night with their Nepalese colleagues in UN Post 12 prior to commencing the area clearance operation. On the morning of D+3 the convoy departed its stag- ing area at an altitude of 1,700m to the clearance area at over 2,300m, where they would operate for the next 48 hours. The tight mountain roads, edged with sheer drops, were navigated and traversed by the highly skilled drivers of the FRCs heavily armoured vehicles, including CRV and ambulance variant Mowags, and ESSC and EOD variant HX-60 armoured trucks. At the clearance area the operational and technical command elements of the force package deployed their respective groupings: security and protection from any armed elements in the area was provided by the cavalry; TEMOs and EOD were on call for tasking as required; and an operational command link to HQ in Camp Ziounai was established. With these elements in place, the ESSC team was in a position to commence the area clearance phase of the operation, deploying a number of area clearance teams with an array of equipment and capa- bilities at their disposal, including Vallon VMH3CS metal detectors and ground penetrating radar (GPR). While modern detection equipment forms a key part of the capability of an ESSC team, it is the training and personal experi- ence of each searcher that is invaluable on a dangerous task such as this. In order to qualify as an ESSC team member, personnel must undergo a physically and mentally demanding course conducted in the School of Military Engineering (SME). Af ter qualification they are required to carry out recurrency training during multiple exercises and operations each year to ensure skills are maintained at the highest standards. The ESSC team conducted a vigorous and intensive 48-hour area clearance in a hostile environment under the combined risk from strenuous atmospheric condi- tions and the explosive remnants that they were clear- ing from the area. As they were operating at such a high altitude, TEMOs constantly monitored ESSC team members' vital signs with heart-rate monitors and blood-oxygen saturation monitors, in order to enable searchers to work at their threshold, but not beyond, for a task that requires high levels of concentration and attention to detail. On successful completion of the task the ESSC team handed over the cleared and marked areas to their Nep- alese colleagues before forming up and preparing for the arduous return journey. On D+5 the armoured convoy set off on its return journey, descending the demanding terrain of Mount Hermon and taking the long way home to its base. As the convoy approached their base they met with the quick reaction force returning from a routine patrol and the large combined armoured convoy rolled into Camp Ziouani as night fell on the Golan Heights. After greetings from their colleagues in the FRC, the team were reintroduced to fresh Irish rations and were then re-administered as required for future operations and to reconstitute the FRC. This was a job well done by all mem- bers of the force package and a unique military expe- rience on the highest search operation carried out by the Defence Forces...so far. Finds extracted during an area being cleared Example of Safe Lanes marked following on from Area Clearance Force Package following successful completion of task

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