An Cosantóir

www.military.ie the defence forces magazine | 27 After the initial four days of mission induction training, conducted during the first week of each month in UN- TSO HQ in Jerusalem, officers then deploy to their respective group (OGL, OGG or OOG-T) and commence the induction training specific to their Group mission area. One week later the officer begins the process of on-the-job training while operational on an observation post or patrol base. Usually after one week, the officer completes Senior Observer Test (SOT) 1 and within another six weeks of developing their practical knowledge and understanding of the mission area, as well as the functions of the military observer, they have suc- cessfully completed SOT 2; all before finally completing SOT 3 to qualify as HQ duty officer. Later, in preparation for possible selec- tion as a staff officer, there is a requirement to complete a specific Staff Officer Test. The time invested in training is important to ensure the highest levels of standardisation and it is also invalu- able in the development of a positive team dynamic, especially when the most recently qualified officer has responsibility for assisting and supporting the on-the-job training of the next batch of newcomers. While all Irish officers deploy to UNTSO initially on a one-year deployment the great majority are successful in extending for an additional year, dependent upon operational requirements. On average there is a deployment of one Irish officer to UNTSO every two months. Within their two-year deployment the officers nor- mally serve in a range of appointments, starting with the funda- mental job of a military observer on an observation post or on mobile patrols, and then ranging to the responsibilities of staff appointments within Group HQ, and for many the opportunity to serve in key staff appointments in UNTSO HQ. The two-year tour of duty is arguably very long but as it involves experiencing different appointments within the Group mission area, and, for many, within the wider region, it proves to be a truly unique and professionally enhancing experience, unparalleled in any other current Irish overseas deployment. Working in such a diverse multinational environment is al- ways interesting and the Irish officers are universally respected, particularly because of the prevalence of Irish officers in key leadership roles and staff appointments. In recent years Maj Gen Michael Finn (retd) led the mission as Chief of Staff/Head of Mis- sion between July 2013 and July 2015; a position previously held by senior Irish officers on four separate occasions. More recently Col Eamonn Caulfield (retd) served as Deputy Chief of Staff from September 2015 until September 2017. The current UNTSO Chief of Security is Comdt Ronan Corcoran, who, owing to his extensive mission experience (two previous two-year tours of duty with UNTSO), was invited to fill this key leadership appointment. Most recently Comdt Peter Ott filled the appointment of Chief of Observer Group Leba- non for six months and some 35 years after an Irish officer last served as Chief of Observer Group Egypt there is an Irish officer back in Ismailia as Chief Liaison Officer Cairo from October 2017 until October 2018. Next month Lt Col Denis Hanly will take over the key appoint- ment of Chief Joint Operations Centre (CJOC) in UNTSO HQ in Jeru- salem. Currently, Irish officers are also serving in the appointments of Deputy Chief OGL, Deputy Chief OGG-D, operations and logistics appointments in HQ OGG, Training Officer in OGG-T, and Mission Logistics Officer and Mission Information Officer in UNTSO HQ. The tasks and responsibilities of the officers serving with UN- TSO can be challenging but are hugely rewarding. The hope is that all who are serving in UNTSO and the other UN missions in the Middle East will continue to demonstrate the same commitment, efficiency and professionalism that has been the hallmark of UN personnel, and that they all, and in particular our Irish officers, will return home safe and well with invaluable overseas experience when their tours of duty are over. UNTSO has 70 years of hard work at the fault lines of Middle Eastern conflicts, and with a philosophy of 'good work done, more to do' will continue its mandate efforts until a peaceful regional settlement has been found. The Irish officers who take great pride in their service in UNTSO will continue that same committed and professional 'cool, calm and collected' legacy of the hundreds of Irish officers who for the past 60 years have served in UNTSO, working to resolve disputes, reduce tensions, and liaise with the parties to avoid the recurrence of conflict. current Disposition of irish officers in uNtSo: UNTSO HQ, Jerusalem: one commandant, one captain. Observer Group Golan (OGG), UNDOF HQ, Camp Zouina, Syria: two commandants. Observer Group Golan - Damascus (OGG-D), Camp Yarfour, Syria: one commandant. Observer Group Golan -Tiberias (OGG-T), Israeli- Occupied Golan Heights: one commandant. one captain. Obsever Group Lebanon (OGL), UNIFIL HQ, Naquora, Lebanon: four commandants. Liaison Officer Cairo (LOC), Ismailia, Egypt: one lieutenant colonel. (l-r) Comdt Shane Courtney, Maj Gen Kieran Brennan, Minister Keogh, Col Kajanmaa, Irish Ambassador to Israel Alison Kelly, Capt Dónal Gallagher, Mr Ciaran Murphy, Comdt Aileen Keating and UNTSO Chief Security Officer Mr Ronan Corcoran. Photo: Comdt Shane Courtney

• Cover