An Cosantóir the official magazine of the Irish Defence Forces and Reserve Defence Forces.
Issue link: https://digital.jmpublishing.ie/i/685731
An Cosantóir June 2016 www.dfmagazine.ie 18 | Mission Readiness Exercise REPoRt & PhotoS By CPL LEE COyLE T he mission readiness exercise (MRE) is an important part of all overseas training, as it sees the culmination of weeks of intensive training and puts com- manders and soldiers through a demanding series of scenarios based on the current situation and potential threats that may be encountered in the mission area. The personnel of 53 Inf Gp, United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), recently un- derwent their MRE in the Glen of Imaal over a two-week period. During this time the troops were faced with scenarios involving simulated explosive strikes, air mobile helicopter drills, anti-ambush tactics using a variety of ad- vanced weapons systems, detailed planning, and traditional peacekeeping. The 38-year-old UNIFIL mission changed significantly following the July/August 2006 Israeli-Hezbollah war, after which the Security Council introduced resolution 1701, which substantially enhanced the mission and expanded its original mandate to include monitoring the cessation of hostilities, as- sisting the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) in establishing an area free of armed personnel between the Blue Line and the Litani River, and assisting the government of Lebanon to secure its borders. These changes have required extensive mobile patrolling throughout the Irish area of operations, ground holding, and monitoring along the Blue Line. Operations are conducted on a 'high vis- ibility, low profile' basis, with access to both armour and soft-skin vehicles for interaction with local population. The 190 personnel will deploy in mid-May as a mechanised infantry company and a contingent support group, and will serve alongside 335 Finnish soldiers as part of the FinnIrish Battalion. In addition to UNIFIL, Irish and Finnish troops have also served together in joint units in Kosovo and Chad, and both share a solid, worldwide reputation as well-trained, impar- tial, professional peacekeepers. Of the 190 personnel, 68 are on their first tour of duty overseas. The remainder have accumulated 425 trips together, including Bty Sgt Patsy O'Driscoll, 1 Bde Arty Regt, Collins Bks, Cork, who has served overseas on 15 pre- vious occasions and who will be serving with his 10th UNIFIL mission.