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  • Defence Forces Operations

    Defence Forces Operations in 2014

    Overseas

    There are currently 430 Military Personnel serving on Peace Support Operations in sixteen different countries across the globe. The largest troop mission is the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) where there are 199 Irish personnel serving, followed by the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force on the Golan Heights where where 138 Defence Forces personnel are deployed.

    Irish Troops are also serving in Mali, Sierra Leone Ivory Coast, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Afghanistan, Bosnia and Heregovina, and Kosovo.

    Security Escorts and Duties

    Provisional figures for 2014 indicate that the Army completed over 1299 cash in transit escorts until the end of Defence Forces Cash in Transit escorts in November 2014. The Army has also completed 139 special category prisoner security escorts up to the start of this month.

    Explosive Ordnance Disposal

    The Defence Forces maintain a number of Army Bomb Disposal teams across the State on a 24/7, 365 days a year basis. In close cooperation with our colleagues in the Gardaí Síochána, these teams are mobile to the scene of incidents within a matter of minutes. This year’s provisional figures indicate that the Teams have responded to over 141 call outs so far this year down from 250 in 2013. This year's call outs included 53 viable Improvised Explosive Devices (including 7 call outs to conduct post blast analyses), this is down from 80 in 2013. The teams also dealt with 22 call outs for hazardous material and pyrotechnics which are generally unstable chemicals in laboratories, schools and colleges and 35 conventional munition destruction call outs, usually historical or legacy munitions found by people renovating houses, gardens etc.

    Education

    This year 223 Defence Forces graduates were successfully conferred at Carlow Institute of Technology. The graduates successfully completed elements of the Leadership, Management and Defence (LMDS) programme. This training and education programme is of major significance to the educational recognition of training conducted by the Defence Forces.

    The Higher Education Training and Awards Council (HETAC) approved the validation of Defence Forces enlisted personnel career courses for awards under the National Framework of Qualifications in 2012.

    The aim of the award is to validate the lifelong and taught learning that soldiers, sailors and airmen and women of the Defence Forces complete throughout their military careers. It captures the training from completion of a soldier’s initial training to completion of the most advanced training programmes that they can complete. It also takes into account the experiential learning personnel glean from their operational deployments and work both at home and overseas.

    The Defence Forces also have close links with NUI Maynooth who also recognise Defence Forces career courses.

    Defence Forces Ceremonial Duties

    2014 saw the Defence Forces involved in more than 30 significant Military and State Ceremonial Events;

    State ceremonial duties were conducted at the Easter Sunday Commemoration Parade at the GPO; the National Famine Commemoration in Strokestown; the 1916 Leaders Commemoration in Arbour Hill and at the National Day of Commemoration in the Royal Hospital, Kilmainham. In addition to these events State ceremonial duty was conducted for the Presidential State visit to the United Kingdom in April and China in December and for State visits to Ireland by the Presidents of Mozambique and Austria in June and October respectively.

    On 02nd April 2014 the Defence Forces provided an all female tri-service (Army, Air Corps and Naval Service) Guard of Honour to commemorate the centenary of the founding of Cumann na mBan.

    On 27th July 2014 the Defence Forces supported a joint official/community event to mark the centenary of the landing of guns in Howth Harbour aboard the yacht ‘Asgard’.

    On 31st July 2014 Irish and British Military Ceremonial Elements participated in a ceremonial unveiling of the newly installed Cross of Sacrifice in Glasnevin Cemetary. This ceremony was led by An tÚachtarán and HRH, The Duke of Kent.

    Over the Summer months of 2014 the Defence Forces conducted ceremonies at the National Memorial, Merrion Square, to remember those soldiers who have given their lives in the service of the State.

    Throughout 2014 various other ceremonial duties were carried out across the country by all members of the Defence Forces.
    Last edited by Rhodes; 31 December 2014, 01:16.

  • #2
    Air Corps Operations in 2014

    The Air Corps is a constituent element of the Irish Defence Forces and is the State’s organic military air asset.

    Since its foundation in 1922, the Air Corps has a proud tradition of service to the State and the citizens of Ireland. It fulfills all defence and security roles assigned to it by the Government and actively supports other State agencies and bodies in delivering services beyond their current capabilities.

    In 2014 the Air Corps has proven itself again to be flexible, adaptable and fit for purpose. During the course of the year it has flown over 10,000 hours on over 5,500 missions in support of the people of Ireland, and has conducted missions throughout Ireland, Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the United States during 2014.

    As a learning organisation the Air Corps used 2014 to continue to develop its potential to respond to the changing demands and needs of its role. During the year personnel were deployed on NATO courses, International Airspace Management courses, multinational training exercises around the world, and even deployed an AW139 helicopter to the UK to take part in an International Helicopter Handling Instructors Course with the RAF.

    Air Ambulance

    The Air Corps completed 107 Air ambulance missions, including 64 national and 47 international transfers of patients. The Air Corps’ unique ability to conduct multiple missions using fixed wing and rotary wing assets meant that there were several days in 2014 when numerous air ambulance were completed at the same time.

    The Air Corps also had the privilege of welcoming back some of VIP passengers during the year to meet with the crews who fly them when they were in need. One such visitor was 5 year old Hannah, from Donegal, came to say thank you to some of her heroes in August.

    On the 26th November 2009 she first met with the Air Corps when she needed urgent transport from Letterkenny to Dublin. Thanks to the speedy transfer from her helicopter crew and the support from Air Corps ground staff, she got the treatment she required and has made a full recovery.

    The increase in demand for air ambulances has given rise to the Air Corps maintaining dedicated crews on stand-by 24/7 for fixed wing and rotary wing with the ability to cove
    • Transport of Neonates;
    • Inter-hospital transfer of patients with spinal or other serious injury;
    • Transport of patients requiring specialised emergency treatment in the UK;
    • Transport of Organ retrieval teams in Ireland ;
    • Transport of patients from the islands where the Coastguard is not available;
    • Transport of paediatric patients requiring immediate medical intervention.


    Missions such as the rapid transfers to London are especially important to Irish children requiring transplants. These time critical patients are included in the UK’s donor pool and so rely on the speedy transport of the Air Corps when they receive a call to the UK for a transplant.

    On one of these missions to Birmingham in July the crew met with international pop star Pharrell Williams who offered his thanks and support to members of the Irish Defence Forces for their efforts in helping to save lives this way.

    Air Corps helicopter crews can also utilise specialist Night Vision Goggles (NVG) for night time missions and are the only pilots in the State with the capability to fly using NVG. In addition to these inter-hospital transfers the Air Corps are continuing to support the HSE National Ambulance Service (NAS) in the pilot project to provide dedicated aeromedical support to the West of Ireland. The pilot Emergency Aeromedical Service (EAS) operates from Custume Barracks, Athlone and 2014 were tasked 446 times from the NAS.

    Search and Rescue (SAR)

    The Air Corps conducted 12 SAR missions in 2014. Of these missions 11 comprised of SAR top cover provided by the Air Corps’ fixed Wing assets, which included the CASA providing cover for the medical evacuation of an injured fisherman from a fishing vessel approx 230 miles off North West of Sligo on the 26th of October.

    During SAR topcover missions the Air Corps will arrive on scene ahead of the rescue helicopter and make contact with the vessel to ascertain the condition of the patient, check the weather on scene and pass these details back to the helicopter. They also pass on relevant instructions from the helicopter crews to the vessel so they can prepare for winching.

    The Air Corps’ rotary wing were also involved with several rescues in 2014. This included mountain rescue SAR taskings from Croagh Patrick during Reek Sunday, flood relief during the severe storms in February and an urgent request from Mine Rescue to transport rescue crews from Lisheen Mine to Tara Mines on the 5th of April.

    Maritime Operations

    The CASA CN 235 maritime patrol aircraft have a daily tasking to patrol the Irish Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and this year completed 253 regular maritime patrols, with 19 high level patrols and 15 night time patrols in 2014. During these patrols the CASA has the responsibility of monitoring fishing activities in Irish Waters, but also uses these patrols to contribute to the security of the State’s Sea Lines of Communication (SLOCs), safeguarding the lines of supply for the importation of energy products and monitoring maritime traffic through Irish waters.

    On the 23rd of September the Air Corps provided top cover support for a co-ordinated operation at sea that resulted in the detention of a yacht, MAKAYABELLA, where a significant quantity of suspected controlled drugs were located onboard. The operation was conducted using inter-agency personnel and in challenging conditions between 200 and 300 miles West South West of Mizen Head.

    Operation Baseline

    In September the Air Corps began an operation with Ordnance Survey Ireland to take the exact measurements of the country's territorial waters from 50 specially selected points around the coast. In Operation Baseline Air Corps helicopters winched geographers on to some of the most inaccessible headlands and islands on our shores to mark co-ordinates from which the breadth of our territorial sea is measured.

    Currently the island of Ireland itself covers 20,863,360 acres of land and over 220 million acres of marine and undersea territory. This marine environment is a fantastically valuable resource and, by using the Air Corps, the National Mapping Agency are in the process of confirming the size of Ireland’s Territorial sea and EEZ, and the State’s rights over the exploration and use of marine resources of this area.

    Home of the Air Corps

    The home of the Air Corps, Casement Aerodrome also played a major part in 2014 hosting several key events.

    On the 7th April President of Ireland Michael D Higgins and Commander in Chief of Óglaigh na hÉireann departed Casement Aerodrome for an historic State Visit to the UK.

    The Defence Forces provided Ceremonial Elements and a Guard of Honour at Áras an Uachtaráin, a Cavalry Escort to Baldonnel where he boarded Irish 251 for the first visit of an Irish President to the UK.

    On the 11th April President Michael D Higgins, returned from this historic visit aboard the Air Corps’ Gulf Stream IV. Upon arrival on Irish soil, in Casement Aerodrome he was received by a 100 man Guard of Honour, before being escorted by the 2 Cavalry Squadron to Áras an Úachtarán.

    Baldonnel hosted three overseas rotations during 2014, providing the logistical support for the departing troops and welcoming the troops returning home from Syria and Lebanon.

    Air Corps personnel also played a vital role in international peace and security in several overseas missions with 40 troops serving between the Lebanon, Syria, Afghanistan, Kosovo and Mali.

    In 2014 the Air Corps were proud to be able to display their pilot’s skills at some of the Nations prestigious events.

    On June 3rd the Air Corps honored the President of Mozambique with a spectacular fly past by four PC9s.

    Four PC9s also paid tribute at the National Day of Commemoration Ceremony at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham in June and Sunday 20th July the Air Corps took centre stage for the Bray airshow with displays from Eagle Section (PC-9), Romeo Section (Cessna FR 172) and Neptune Section (CASA & PC-9), as well as individual displays from our fleet.

    Over the course of 2014 Cessna FR 172 REIMS Rocket flew 238 cash escorts and completed 25 Wildlife surveys. Air Corps helicopters assisted the OPW transporting materials to the Skellig Islands, winched vital material for National Parks and Wildlife and transported Ballot boxes to voters offshore.

    The Air Corps even managed to capture on film one of the rarest and remarkable spectacles in the natural world on a maritime patrol -- a massive fin whale leaping from the water, and in majestic missile-like form three times.

    The images and video taken of the phenomenon were passed to the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group for their research and travelled internationally across all media platforms, proving the rarity of such an event.

    The Air Corps is constantly adapting to meet the demands of an ever-changing environment and this increased demand for aerial capability is consistent with Ireland’s remote geographical location as an island on the western extremity of Europe.

    The diverse nature of the Air Corps missions continues to attract talented young Irishmen and women to an interesting and challenging career.
    Last edited by Rhodes; 31 December 2014, 01:27.

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    • #3
      Naval Service Operations in 2014

      Maritime Security Operations

      The Naval Service as the state’s principle sea going agency continue to maintain a 24/7/365 presence in our maritime sphere of operations. The Naval Service ensures the freedom of navigation and protection of international trade by sea, on which Ireland as an island state depends. It is actively involved in the international effort against narcotic smuggling, working closely with An Garda Siochana, the Customs Service and the Maritime Analysis Operations Centre in Lisbon.

      In September 2014 the detention of the yacht Makayabella, and seizure of € 80 million of Cocaine was a significant success for the Naval Service. Additionally the Naval Service operates the National Fisheries Monitoring Centre and strives hand in hand with the Sea Fisheries Protection Agency to safeguard and manage our rich fisheries for current and future generations’ sustainable exploitation. The Naval Service with the Air Corps is assisting Ordnance Survey Ireland in the Base Lines Project which will map Ireland's sovereign claim to the seas around our island for generations to come.

      Provisional figures indicate that the Naval Service has completed 912 boardings and made 10 detentions so far in 2014 for alleged infringements of fishing regulations during their 940 patrol days. The Naval Service patrol 1 million km2 of sea (over twelve times the land mass of Ireland) representing 15% of Europe’s fisheries. Fishing vessels from Ireland, United Kingdom, France, Spain, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Russia, Lithuania, Mauritania, Belgium, Faroe Islands, Portugal and Denmark were boarded and inspected in 2014. A total of 31 Fishing Vessels had infringements recorded during inspections ranging from incorrect boarding equipment to under recording of catch. These infringements will result in Points being awarded against the fishing vessel.

      Specialist Dive Team Operations

      The Specialist Naval Service Dive Team has been called out to 43 operations so far this year. Military Operations include underwater maintenance of Naval Service Fleet, sub-surface explosive ordnance disposal operations and berth clearances for visiting foreign warships. The Naval Service Dive Team has been involved in 8 separate Search and Recovery operations following requests from the Coast Guard and An Garda Síochána, many of these operations lasting for extended periods. Additionally the Dive Team carried out diving operations on the “MAERSK NORWICH” as part of a joint Exercise with the Customs & Excise. This year the Naval Service Diving Section conducted two internationally accredited dive courses, qualifying Naval Divers commercially in SCUBA and Surface Supplied Diving Equipment (SSDE), as well as training combat divers from the Army Ranger Wing.

      Energy Awareness & Efficiency

      The Naval Service continues to implement energy efficiency policies which bring it significantly below its projection towards the Government’s 2020 targets for the public service. This is demonstrated in the deployment of the new Samuel Beckett class which have adopted improved propulsion technologies including the hybrid electric drive and tank stabilisation. During 2014, the Naval Service successful energy management system merited retention of ISO 50001 certification.

      Other Operations and Taskings

      The Naval Service was also involved in the following events and ceremonies throughout the year:

      Jan 2014

      LE Aoife recovered a yacht adrift off Bere Island.LE Aisling acted as On scene Commander during Towing Ops for the MV HELLESPONT CHARGER.

      Feb 2014

      LE Aisling stood by the MV BERGONIA which lost power off Kedge Island.

      May 2014

      LE Samuel Beckett was commissioned in Dublin.LE Roisin participated in the Belfast and Dublin Maritime Festivals.

      June 2014

      LE Roisin participated in the Foyle Maritime festival in Derry.

      July 2014

      LE Niamh attended the Inter Celtic Festival in Lorient. An t Uachtaran paid a visit to the Ship.

      September 2014

      LE Niamh and LE Roisin detained a VOI(vessel of interest) MAKAYABELLA in a JTF operation approx 300 miles SW of Fastnet Rock. The VOI was found to be carrying 80 million euros worth of illicit drugs.

      October 2014

      NS Ships assisted Ordinance Survey Ireland (OSI) in progressing the Baselines project. OSI teams were landed on various points around the coast in order to place positional information plates on offshore rocks and islands.

      November 2014

      Our newest vessel, L.É. JAMES JOYCE, was floated out of its shipyard and is currently being out-fitted, with an expected arrival date is in the first quarter 2015.

      Irish Maritime and Energy Resource Cluster- IMERC

      The Naval Service strategic partnership with the Irish Maritime Energy Cluster during 2014 has seen the continued development of the IMERC Campus.

      Halpin

      At present the Halpin research centre is involved in 16 projects, 6 of which directly involve Naval Service participation. Empirical quantification of this relationship is complex, however tangible benefits have been accrued in terms of experience and knowledge. Involvement by INS staff in projects under the Halpin umbrella has produced an increase in its understanding, effectiveness, preparedness and readiness in areas such as Maritime Security, Pollution Control and continent wide Information Sharing systems. Through a number of these projects, the INS have benefited from interaction with other institutions and companies, engaged in research into autonomous sub-sea systems and unmanned aerial systems.

      Lt Cdr Tony Geraghty was conferred with a Master’s in Business Studies (MBS) at University College Cork. Lt Cdr Geraghty is the first Naval Service Officer to received funding from the Halpin Centre under the RemCap project which is looking at Cluster Analysis and how it can aid business development in the Maritime Sphere.

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      • #4

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        • #5
          Defence Forces Year in Review

          The Defence Forces are proud to have been tasked by Government to play such a central role in the 1916 Centenary Commemorative programme. Notwithstanding the ceremonial activities performed during 2016, Óglaigh na hÉireann maintained operations, contributing to security both at home and internationally in 15 countries and one sea.

          Below is a sample of the breadth of activities undertaken by the Defence Forces in 2016.

          *Statistics quoted are provisional to date and are subject to finalisation in the 2016 Annual Report which will be published in early 2017.

          International Operations

          The Defence Forces have the longest unbroken record of overseas service of any country in the world since first deploying to a United Nations mission in 1958. Some details of the Defence Forces contribution to international peace and security, on behalf of Ireland, are below:

          • In 2016 over 1400 Defence Forces personnel served in overseas Peace Support and Security operations in 15 countries and one sea.
          • Currently over 600 Defence Forces personnel are serving in 15 countries.
          • The largest Defence Forces deployments are to South Lebanon with UNIFIL with 380 personnel deployed create a safe and secure environment; and to the Golan Heights where 140 personnel are deployed as a Disengagement Observer Force.
          • The Defence Forces deployed three Naval ships and over 150 Naval Service and Army personnel to the Mediterranean this year in response to the humanitarian crisis supporting the Italian Marine Rescue Co-Ordination Centre with Search and Rescue assistance.
          • The total number of migrants rescued in 2016 by the men and women of Óglaigh na nÉireann was 7,029 and over 15,500 since operations began in 2015.


          Domestic Operations

          Defence Forces are deployed in Aid to Civil Power & Aid to the Civil Authority operations on a daily basis supporting An Garda Síochána, HSE, Local Authorities etc. Some examples of these activities are:
          • Over 220 aid to the civil power operations in support of An Garda Siochána involving Explosive Ordnance Disposal (Bomb Squad) call outs, Prisoner Escorts, Explosive Escorts, major cash Escorts and Engineer Specialist Search Operations.
          • Defence Forces personnel deployed in a major security operation in support of the visit of VPOTUS Biden.
          • Members of the Defence Forces continue to provide a permanent armed guard at Portlaoise Prison.
          • Contributed personnel and expertise supporting the Department of Communications, Climate Action & Environment National Cyber Security Centre.
          • Over 3,000 Defence Forces personnel were deployed throughout a severe weather storm period during December 2015 and January 2016 to assist with flood relief. In addition, over military 500 vehicles including 10 helicopters were provided to support these works.
          • The Naval Service has completed over 1,200 boardings and made 3 detentions so far in 2016 for alleged infringements of fishing regulations, the Air corps conducted over 300 Maritime Surveillance Patrol flights.
          • The Naval Service & Air Corps patrol 220 million maritime acres of sea (over twelve times the land mass of Ireland) representing 15% of Europe’s fisheries.
          • Naval Service Dive Team were deployed 10 times in 2016 including seven separate Search and Recovery operations following requests from the Coast Guard and An Garda Síochána.
          • The Air Corps conducted approximately 400 Emergency Aeromedical Support Services missions supporting the HSE in providing a medical service for seriously ill patients in rural communities.
          • The Air Corps provided 78 inter hospital Air Ambulance service support HSE respond to time critical medical emergencies.
          • Air Corps continues to support the Garda Air Support Unit flights in 2016.
          • The Air Corps conducted 10 Search & Rescue operations in 2016 in support of the IRCG.


          State Ceremonial

          The Defence Forces were honoured to have been tasked by government to have such a prominent role in the 1916 Centenary Commemorative programme. Below are some examples of the activities undertaken by the Defence Forces as part of the Commemorative programme:
          • The project to deliver a National Flag to all primary schools in the Republic was conducted between 14 September 2015 and 12 March 2016. This project involved 10,000 Defence Forces personnel visiting close to 3,200 schools and presenting them with a handmade National Flag and a copy of the Proclamation.
          • The Centenary Easter Sunday Parade at the GPO included over 2,800 members of the Defence Forces and a display of military vehicles and aircraft watched by over 750,000 people lining the streets if Dublin.
          • The Defence Forces were honoured to participate centrally in more than 60 national and regional Ceremonial Events in 2016.
          • Defence Forces School of Music Bands and musicians contributed to over 500 individual events in 2016.
          • Also as part of the 2016 State Centenary Programme, the Defence Forces raised the National Flag on O’Connell Street every day in 2016.
          • In September, a ceremony was held in Custume Barracks, Athlone to award a Unit Citation to A Coy, 35 Inf Bn to recognise the courage and professional performance displayed by the members of the Unit while serving with the United Nations at Jadotville in Congo in 1961.
          • 13 parades were held to award the 1916 Centenary Commemorative Medal to all members of the Defence Forces. The first medals were presented by Uachtarán na h?ireann, Michael D. Higgins and members of the government at a State ceremony in Dublin Castle on 04 December, as part of the Centenary programme. This was followed by 12 regional events in selected military installations nationwide presided over by Minister Kehoe.
          • Training & Education
          • We train for what we can predict and we educate for what we can’t predict; the Defence Forces place a significant focus on training and education to ensure that the organisation is prepared to respond to all tasks assigned by government. Below are some examples of the breadth of training and education undertaken by the Defence Forces personnel in 2016.
          • 590 Recruits and 98 cadets were inducted to the Defence Forces and began their military training in 2016.
          • Approximately 1000 Defence Forces personnel underwent overseas pre-deployment mission readiness training ranging from counter IED to medical first responder training, radio and communications skills to armour vehicle driving.
          • 600 Defence Forces personnel underwent 33 career courses developing their leadership, planning and decision making skills.
          • 1350 skills courses were conducted by the Defence Forces in 2016 with 17000 student days developing and maintaining Defence Force capabilities.
          • 69 Defence Forces personnel completed degree courses and 20 completed Masters courses through Continuous Professional Development programmes.
          • A total of 117 internal Defence Forces training courses received external accreditation in 2016.


          Innovation & Collaboration

          The Defence Forces strives to find innovative solutions to complex modern security challenges, leading through excellence and collaboration. Below are some examples of how the Defence Forces delivered on that:
          • The Ordnance Corp was a consortium member in a successful H2020 project with partners from National University of Ireland, Galway and Italy, Germany, Spain and Portugal where the project secured over €4.7m in research funding. The project is based on the aftermath of a Chemical Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosive (CBRNe) event. The overall goal of ROCSAFE is to fundamentally change how CBRNe events are assessed, in order to ensure the safety of crime scene investigators by reducing the need for them to enter high-risk scenes when they have to determine the nature of threats and gather forensics. For this ROCSAFE will make use of cost-effective modern remotely-controlled robotic air and ground vehicles (RAVs/RGVs) that are designed for use in rain, wind, and challenging ground surfaces and obstacles.
          • The ‘Game for Peace’ is currently being developed by an EU-wide consortium led by a team of researchers from sociology, computer science and psychology at Trinity College Dublin. The aim of the Virtual Reality immersive experience is to train international military personnel in peacekeeping skills such as communications, cultural sensitivities and gender awareness. The Irish Defence Forces will assist during the testing phase of this project.

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