Over the last week the Defence Forces (DF) conducted an ECAT (Emergency Civil Assistance Team) operation, named Operation PICCOLO in support of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). A joint DFA / DF team deployed to Djibouti and Cyprus to assist Irish citizens, residents and visa holders being evacuated to Cyprus from Sudan amid the evolving situation in the country.
The DF element of the team included members of the DF Special Operations Forces unit, the Army Ranger Wing (ARW). On deployment the team secured the DFA personnel on the ground, liaised with key actors in the airport and assisted DFA in the processing and evacuation of identified Irish citizens/dependents. The team were also on standby to provide medical assistance if required.
The ARW is the Special Operations Force of the Irish Defence Forces. The ARW trains and maintains the capability to respond to crisis situations at short notice using DF assets or with support from Partner Nations.
ENDS
Note to editors: no photography was permitted during this operation and as a result no imagery is available.
