16/04/2010
Irish Troops Set To Leave Kosovo
Troops from the Irish Republic's Defence Forces have formally marked their withdrawal from the former war-zone of Kosovo.
In a ceremony held yesterday afternoon the departure of almost 200 Irish troops indicated the end of more than a decade of involvement in the country.
The 41st Infantry Group was formally stood down from Kfor, the Nato-led, UN-mandated mission to provide security in the ex-Yugoslav province, in a special ceremony at Camp Clarke in Pristina on Thursday afternoon.
The main body of troops are then set to fly home next week, reducing the Irish contingent from 240 to just 50.
The withdrawal comes after the Government's decision last December to reduce the amount of staff serving with Kfor with a further decrease is planned for October which will leave a small number of personnel remaining in the once war-torn region.
Since their initial deployment in 1999, the Defence Forces have provided more than 3,500 individual tours of duty, with 22 unit deployments.
The Defence Forces originally deployed to Kosovo in 1999 with a transport and logistics company.
Their mission was to provide equipment and transport to military units in Kfor and to humanitarian organisations working with the UN.
In 2007 and 2008, the Defence Forces were appointed as the lead nation in the Multi-National Task Force and provided the commander and ancillary staff for that year. The commander was Brigadier General Gerry Hegarty, whose command extended to some 1,700 troops from six countries.
The 58 vehicles and 35 ISO sea containers will be moved on 300km by road from Kosovo through Macedonia to the port city of Thessalonica in Greece, from where they will be shipped home.
(BMcC)
In a ceremony held yesterday afternoon the departure of almost 200 Irish troops indicated the end of more than a decade of involvement in the country.
The 41st Infantry Group was formally stood down from Kfor, the Nato-led, UN-mandated mission to provide security in the ex-Yugoslav province, in a special ceremony at Camp Clarke in Pristina on Thursday afternoon.
The main body of troops are then set to fly home next week, reducing the Irish contingent from 240 to just 50.
The withdrawal comes after the Government's decision last December to reduce the amount of staff serving with Kfor with a further decrease is planned for October which will leave a small number of personnel remaining in the once war-torn region.
Since their initial deployment in 1999, the Defence Forces have provided more than 3,500 individual tours of duty, with 22 unit deployments.
The Defence Forces originally deployed to Kosovo in 1999 with a transport and logistics company.
Their mission was to provide equipment and transport to military units in Kfor and to humanitarian organisations working with the UN.
In 2007 and 2008, the Defence Forces were appointed as the lead nation in the Multi-National Task Force and provided the commander and ancillary staff for that year. The commander was Brigadier General Gerry Hegarty, whose command extended to some 1,700 troops from six countries.
The 58 vehicles and 35 ISO sea containers will be moved on 300km by road from Kosovo through Macedonia to the port city of Thessalonica in Greece, from where they will be shipped home.
(BMcC)
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24 March 2003
Unite behind the troops says UUP MLA
North Antrim Ulster Unionist MLA, Rev Robert Coulter, has called on the "entire community" to rally behind the coalition forces in the Gulf. He also called on all clergy in the constituency to remember the armed forces in their worship, adding that special prayers should also be said for the families of those coalition soldiers serving in the Gulf.
Unite behind the troops says UUP MLA
North Antrim Ulster Unionist MLA, Rev Robert Coulter, has called on the "entire community" to rally behind the coalition forces in the Gulf. He also called on all clergy in the constituency to remember the armed forces in their worship, adding that special prayers should also be said for the families of those coalition soldiers serving in the Gulf.
10 June 2013
Afghanistan Health Reservists Return To NI
Health Minister Edwin Poots hosted a thanksgiving service yesterday for homecoming health reservists who had been serving in Afghanistan. The service and medal parade was held at Hillsborough Castle. Some 38 personnel of the 204 (North Irish) Field Hospital were deployed to the UK Medical Group hospital at Camp Bastion in Helmand Province.
Afghanistan Health Reservists Return To NI
Health Minister Edwin Poots hosted a thanksgiving service yesterday for homecoming health reservists who had been serving in Afghanistan. The service and medal parade was held at Hillsborough Castle. Some 38 personnel of the 204 (North Irish) Field Hospital were deployed to the UK Medical Group hospital at Camp Bastion in Helmand Province.
24 April 2008
Relocation! Relocation! For RAF Aldergrove
Ninety years after they first arrived, RAF personnel are to be relocated away from Northern Ireland - leaving behind just the Army Air Corps. Armed Forces Minister, Bob Ainsworth said that 230 troops based at RAF Aldergrove will be moved to RAF Benson in Oxfordshire.
Relocation! Relocation! For RAF Aldergrove
Ninety years after they first arrived, RAF personnel are to be relocated away from Northern Ireland - leaving behind just the Army Air Corps. Armed Forces Minister, Bob Ainsworth said that 230 troops based at RAF Aldergrove will be moved to RAF Benson in Oxfordshire.
30 July 2007
Operation Banner ends after 38 years
Operation Banner, The British Army’s longest continuous campaign in its history, will end at midnight on Tuesday after 38 years. The military operation in Northern Ireland required 300,000 personnel and 763 of the personnel serving were killed directly by paramilitaries.
Operation Banner ends after 38 years
Operation Banner, The British Army’s longest continuous campaign in its history, will end at midnight on Tuesday after 38 years. The military operation in Northern Ireland required 300,000 personnel and 763 of the personnel serving were killed directly by paramilitaries.
19 December 2001
Court of Appeal supports Saville inquiry soldiers
The Court of Appeal has ruled that the former British soldiers will not have to give evidence to the Bloody Sunday Inquiry in Northern Ireland. The decision handed down on Wednesday means that the Saville Inquiry ruling that called on former British soldiers to give evidence in Londonderry has been overturned.
Court of Appeal supports Saville inquiry soldiers
The Court of Appeal has ruled that the former British soldiers will not have to give evidence to the Bloody Sunday Inquiry in Northern Ireland. The decision handed down on Wednesday means that the Saville Inquiry ruling that called on former British soldiers to give evidence in Londonderry has been overturned.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.