An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir April 2016 www.dfmagazine.ie 12 | interview with A rAnGer Throughout the 1960s and 70s there was an explosion in international terrorism. To combat this developing threat many nations established dedicated and highly trained counter terrorist units who specialised in conducting hostage rescue operations. With building instability in the North and a growing domestic terrorism threat the Irish government gave direction for the Defence Forces to establish a counter terrorism unit. On the recommendation of the COS the unit was activated on the 16th March 1980 and given the designation of the Army Ranger Wing (ARW). Initial focus centred on establishing a suitable recruitment and selection process along with procuring appropriate weapons and equip- ment. Eager to develop its specialist capabilities the unit dispatched personnel to a number of foreign Special Forces and intervention units. Over the following number of years the ARW developed its 'GREEN' conventional and 'BLACK' counter terrorism capabilities. Both skill sets mutually supported each other with regard to skill set and capability. The significant investment provided by the Defence Forces has resulted in the ARW developing its Land, Sea and Air capabilities which are on par with their international counterparts. Methods of insertion such as Military Free Fall and Combat Diving coupled with sophisticated sniping, medical and communications capability all combine to provide a unit that can fulfil its broad range of operational taskings. With the improving domestic security situation unit focus shifted to the interna- tional arena with regard to operational deployments. The first deploy- ment to Somalia in 1994 created an impetus to develop the overseas deployment capability. Since then the unit has successfully deployed to East Timor, Liberia and tChad. Other niche deployments such as close protection and support missions have also been conducted and this pattern is likely to continue into the future. The recent rise in global terrorism has again shifted the focus to our on island capability and the ARW prepare to meet any potential domestic threats. Today, An Cosantóir conducted an in depth and personal interview with a Sgt Team Leader in Special Operations Maritime Task Unit (SOMTU) on his experiences in this elite military unit. Identities of all ARW members are withheld for security reasons. interviewee: Sgt Special Operations Maritime Task Unit (SOMTU) where were you based before joining the Arw? I did my two- and three-star training at the age of 17 in 2001 in Collins Bks, Cork, after which I was posted to B Coy, 4 Inf Bn. what inspired you to join the ranger wing? During my time in Cork an ARW road show came to the bar- racks. It really excited me and opened my eyes to new pos- sibilities as I had found the day-to-day routine in barracks difficult to get used to after the high tempo of my three- star training. I'd enjoyed the physical side of training and the tactics and I needed to be challenged; to do something above the norm. After only a few months in Cork I went overseas to Eritrea with UNMEE and while there a couple of my platoon NCOs and my platoon commander told me about the Selection Course scheduled for shortly after our return home. They were very supportive, giving me advice and time to train, which made all the difference. I'll be forever grateful to them as they really encouraged me and were good role models for a young private like myself.

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