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"When the nation needs us we help whatever way we can." Irish Defence Forces

Henry McKean put on his flak jacket and helmet and spent the day with the Irish Defence Forces as they get ready to deploy to the Golan Heights in April. It's been a busy year supporting the pandemic response. These same troops will now serve overseas. We document their Mission Readiness Exercise in the Glen of Imaal county Wicklow and witness them training before their deployment for 6 months.  The 63 Infantry Group under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Frank Flannery contains 129 personnel of all ranks. There is live shooting from the beginning of this exclusive report. Henry McKean reports in Wicklow as the Irish Defence Forces get ready to deploy to the Golan Heights in April. You can watch a video by cameraman Rory Walsh of all the action on the Newstalk social media channels. We will be checking in with them in 3 months time to see how they are getting on. On 31st May 1974, the United Nations adopted Security Council Resolution 350 to establish the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF). UNDOF’s mandate is to maintain a credible presence in the Golan and use its best efforts to maintain the ceasefire between Israel and the Syrian Arab Republic and see to it that it is scrupulously observed. The resolution is updated every six months and the mission is currently operating under UN Secruity Council resolution 2555, until 30 June 2021. see more