16th September, 11.00am - Custume Barracks, Athlone, Co. Westmeath
The Minister with Responsibility for Defence, Mr. Paul Kehoe T.D., accompanied by the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, Vice Admiral Mark Mellett DSM, will review the men and women of the 60th Infantry Group ahead of their six month deployment to Syria as part of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF).
The mission will see 130 Irish troops deploy to Syria in October 2019. The Irish troops will constitute a Quick Reaction Force which is a small, highly mobile and flexible force that can respond to any request made by the Force Commander within 15 minutes. The requests can range from the evacuation of UN personnel from UN positions for various emergency situations to routine patrols.
The personnel of the unit has a wide variety of experience ranging from those on their first deployment, to highly experienced senior non-commissioned officers (NCOs) and officers who have the experience of multiple trips. Once deployed, the 60th Infantry Group will work alongside soldiers from the Indian, Fijian and Nepalese armies.
The personnel traveling with the 60th Infantry Group represent a number of counties across Ireland with the main contributing units being based in the 2 Brigade area of responsibility, and the majority of personnel coming from the midland counties and Dublin.
The unit will form up on the Main Square, Custume Barracks, Athlone, Co. Westmeath. This will be followed by a parading of the Unit Colours (flag), the Minister's address and a ceremonial 'March Past' at 12.00am.
