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Is Ireland's Peacekeeping model fit for purpose?

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  • #16
    Originally posted by sofa View Post
    Yes, but sticking well trained, disciplined, well equipped, reliable Irish Troops in with a load of third world, or some of the ex east european troops is dangerous.
    The not as reliable troop contributors could be that way because they don't have the backup.

    UNMIL has been a very successful mission AFAIK, who was QRF?

    Having said Shake Hands With the Devil opened my eyes

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    • #17
      Originally posted by DeV View Post
      Restricted to UNIFIL type policing missions?
      As you say yourself - East Timor, Liberia, Chad.
      Add to that Somalia, Bosnia, Kosovo, Afghanistan.
      My point being, the three missions I mentioned pushed forward DF ability to deploy units to austere, unsupported environments, pushed operational readiness levels, pushed equipment availability and suitability standards and provided many troops with individual opportunities to soldier in difficult/realatively hostile (enemy wise) situations.

      I will give you Somalia may have fallen into that category too.

      The others you mentioned don't really, as Kosovo and Bosnia were realatively stable theatres for the most part with static/well supported positions. Afghan only ever had approx 6 personnel deployed at a time and God fobid it was ever mentioned publicly in case Mick/Clare/Ruth had a stroke over it live on Dail cam!

      Furthermore, how many times have we heard that it cost so much to fund Chad, etc. ourselves and the country couldn't afford such missions, blah, blah blah....

      The point to take about being "restricted to UNIFIL type policing missions" is that politically they are the type of missions that DoD/DoFA/Gov default back to each time because they are low risk, electorally comfortable, usually paid for by somebody else type deployments.

      They do not however, best serve, increasing or developing DF overseas capabilities or home operational readiness and experience.
      Last edited by X-RayOne; 23 July 2016, 23:07.
      An army is power. Its entire purpose is to coerce others. This power can not be used carelessly or recklessly. This power can do great harm. We have seen more suffering than any man should ever see, and if there is going to be an end to it, it must be an end that justifies the cost. Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain

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      • #18
        Originally posted by X-RayOne View Post
        My point being, the three missions I mentioned pushed forward DF ability to deploy units to austere, unsupported environments, pushed operational readiness levels, pushed equipment availability and suitability standards and provided many troops with individual opportunities to soldier in difficult/realatively hostile (enemy wise) situations.
        I will give you Somalia may have fallen into that category too.

        The others you mentioned don't really, as Kosovo and Bosnia were realatively stable theatres for the most part with static/well supported positions. Afghan only ever had approx 6 personnel deployed at a time and God fobid it was ever mentioned publicly in case Mick/Clare/Ruth had a stroke over it live on Dail cam![/quote]


        Furthermore, how many times have we heard that it cost so much to fund Chad, etc. ourselves and the country couldn't afford such missions, blah, blah blah....
        the money still has to be found. You do realise of course what the cost of Chad was (including equipment purchases for the op)? €20-30 million

        The point to take about being "restricted to UNIFIL type policing missions" is that politically they are the type of missions that DoD/DoFA/Gov default back to each time because they are low risk, electorally comfortable, usually paid for by somebody else type deployments.
        Syria?

        We can only go where there is a request.

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        • #19
          Originally posted by DeV View Post
          I will give you Somalia may have fallen into that category too.

          The others you mentioned don't really, as Kosovo and Bosnia were realatively stable theatres for the most part with static/well supported positions. Afghan only ever had approx 6 personnel deployed at a time and God fobid it was ever mentioned publicly in case Mick/Clare/Ruth had a stroke over it live on Dail cam!

          the money still has to be found. You do realise of course what the cost of Chad was (including equipment purchases for the op)? €20-30 million


          Syria?

          We can only go where there is a request.[/QUOTE]

          You will find and see that some informal tic-taccing has gone on to ensure a positive response is forthcoming when the formal request is made even if there is a stated period of consultation/consideration thereafter.

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          • #20
            Originally posted by DeV View Post
            Why are we in Lebanon, Syria, etc?

            Well there are no major EU or NATO troop missions at the minute (with the exception of Afghanistan and Kosovo).

            The UN missions mean they are cheaper for the taxpayer.

            The UN missions need well trained, disciplined, well equipped, reliable troops.
            ...or ships

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            • #21
              Irish politicians always fear being the guy who sent Irishmen out to die, which is why they try not to send troops out on potentially "warry" UN missions and they love the kudos of being associated with the Irish and the UN.

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              • #22
                Equally our instincts tend to inform us to avoid being associated with former colonial powers who are looking after their own interests.

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                • #23
                  Originally posted by danno View Post
                  Equally our instincts tend to inform us to avoid being associated with former colonial powers who are looking after their own interests.
                  But sometimes that interest is oil supplies, and I can't think of a better reason to hook with a former power, to insure it.

                  Even Mick Wallace need diesel for his X5 BMW
                  Last edited by sofa; 25 July 2016, 02:33.

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                  • #24
                    I dont recall any DF units going over the top in GW1 or 2 for that matter. Sanctions dont count as military action.

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                    • #25
                      Yep. we benefit from free trade. but other counties do our dirty work. Sometimes Riverdance and "everybody loves the Irish" is not enough.

                      There was a time we were more greatfull. Like when we build Nelsons Colum in gratitude for the trade routes being reopened.

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                      • #26
                        Originally posted by sofa View Post
                        Yep. we benefit from free trade. but other counties do our dirty work. Sometimes Riverdance and "everybody loves the Irish" is not enough.

                        There was a time we were more greatfull. Like when we build Nelsons Colum in gratitude for the trade routes being reopened.
                        Were we ever really grateful considering the official shabby treatment of those who actually went to the trouble of joining the BA and confronting the Nazi facist murderers?

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                        • #27
                          Originally posted by danno View Post
                          Were we ever really grateful considering the official shabby treatment of those who actually went to the trouble of joining the BA and confronting the Nazi facist murderers?
                          Not really an issue for this section of the site to be honest...
                          "We will hold out until our last bullet is spent. Could do with some whiskey"
                          Radio transmission, siege of Jadotville DR Congo. September 1961.
                          Illegitimi non carborundum

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                          • #28
                            Originally posted by GoneToTheCanner View Post
                            Irish politicians always fear being the guy who sent Irishmen out to die, which is why they try not to send troops out on potentially "warry" UN missions and they love the kudos of being associated with the Irish and the UN.
                            Very much so, the DF abroad seem to have cultivated a soft image (as opposed to an aggressive one) that is appropriate to constabularly /humanitarian/peace ops . Mind you the 'heads who confronted the DF relieving the isolated P'Pinos on the Golan in 2014 acquired a different perception of the DF.

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                            • #29
                              Originally posted by danno View Post
                              Were we ever really grateful considering the official shabby treatment of those who actually went to the trouble of joining the BA and confronting the Nazi facist murderers?
                              Don't forget the guys who flew off to join the Luftwaffe......

                              MOD:This is a warning. The Mods have already told you this was off topic
                              Last edited by Bravo20; 26 July 2016, 08:50.

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                              • #30
                                Originally posted by danno View Post
                                Very much so, the DF abroad seem to have cultivated a soft image (as opposed to an aggressive one) that is appropriate to constabularly /humanitarian/peace ops . Mind you the 'heads who confronted the DF relieving the isolated P'Pinos on the Golan in 2014 acquired a different perception of the DF.
                                Professional and capable

                                Not just on the Golan

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