An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir June 2017 www.dfmagazine.ie 12 | By PAUL O'BRIEN Author and military historian Paul O'Brien was given unique access to interview a long serving member of the ARW. D uring the late 1960s and early 1970s there was a dramatic in- crease in international terrorism. the media, reporting on the hijacking of planes, assassinations and the 1972 Munich massacre in Germany, brought home the facts that with terrorism, there were no defined battle fronts, and that civilians were often caught up in the fray. However, in the latter years of the 1960s, it was events in the north of Ireland that found the Irish Defence Forces facing and adopting to a new and demanding period within its history. In 1968, a number of Irish Defence Forces officers successfully completed a Conventional Ranger Training Course at Fort Benning, Georgia. Following this, plans were submitted to run a ranger course within the Defence Forces. In early July 1969, twelve Irish officers underwent and successfully passed the first Defence Forces Ranger Course in the Military College at the Curragh Camp in County Kildare. Their objective as outlined in the Syl- labus of Training stated, 'Using a fighting patrol as a mechanism of instruction, conduct sub unit level special operations in order to improve the personal confi- dence, leadership and navigation skills of the officer students.' The completion of this first course coincided with the Civil Rights Campaign in the North, and with the subsequent escalating situation in the region, the Defence Forces utilised its newly trained officers to run ranger type training for Special Assault Groups (SAG) for officers and NCOs from all commands. Between late August and early December 1969, officers stationed in the Military College in the Curragh Camp trained a number of personnel in basic ranger patrolling skills. In 1978 a presentation paper on inter- national terrorism by Intelligence Section, AHQ identifying the threat to the country, submitted recommendations in relation to the establishment of a special unit. In the months that followed, the Chief of Staff carried out a feasibility study in relation to costings, personnel, training, equipment etc. In 1979, the unit was sanctioned by the Department of Defence, which was followed by the appointment of an OC and 2 I/C which took place in early 1980. Soon after, the first selection and training courses were initiated. The Irish Army Ranger Wing entered the international arena as covertly as it was created. Officially designated 'Sciathan Fianógla- ch an Airm' which when translated is 'The Army Ranger Wing' with the Fianóglach linking the unit to the traditions of the elite and legendary Irish warriors of the 'Na Fianna'. On successful completion and passing out from the course, the newly qualified operators receive their 'Fianógla- ch' shoulder tab and the distinctive green beret of the ARW. The Fianóglach tab design is modelled on the US Ranger flash and was produced in 1970 by instructors on the first DF Ranger course. Personnel who serve in the ARW wear a flash with a red embroidered outline, this was in-

• Cover