Defence Forces Conduct Complex Maritime Counter Terrorism Exercise

Media Release: Friday 30th July 2021, 12.15pm Yesterday morning Óglaigh na hÉireann conducted a complex exercise in the vicinity of Dublin Port. The joint operations maritime counter terrorism exercise was led by the Defence Forces Special Operations Task Group the Army Ranger Wing and supported by the Air Corps and Naval Service with a Defence Forces HQ Command and Control (C2) element. The Special Operations Forces led scenario exercised the command and control, communications, intelligence and surveillance gathering capabilities of the Defence Forces. The Army Ranger Wing successfully deployed assault team elements by sea and by air on to a Stena Ferry before securing the vessel as it approached Dublin Port. LÉ James Joyce and the Air Corp’s CASA were used to locate, track and provide surveillance of the Ferry. ARW assault teams simultaneously boarded the Ferry from AW139 Helicopters and Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats before securing the vessel. The robust and highly pressurised nature of the exercise saw personnel face a realistic training environment which required an extremely high level of expertise, execution and skill. Óglaigh na hÉireann would like to thank Stena Line for all their assistance in facilitating this complex exercise.