LIBERIA: Based in Camp Clara, Monrovia, the United Nations Mission in Liberia's quick reaction force (QRF) consists of 430 Irish troops of the 93rd Infantry Battalion. It is drawn from units across the Western Brigade area of Westmeath, Galway, Mayo and Donegal. The Irish QRF will essentially be the lynchpin in UNMIL's operations to secure Liberia's upcoming elections, writes Tom Clonan.
The current UNMIL is a UN "Chapter 7" peace enforcement mission. In the run-up to elections in Liberia, the situation on the ground for UN troops is fluid, interspersed as they are among a tense population.
In such circumstances, a heavily armed and highly mobile combat unit is required to expedite the judicious but decisive use of force to de-escalate potentially lethal flashpoints throughout UNMIL's area of operations.
A far cry from the Congo 40 years ago (where Irish soldiers served in "bulls-wool" uniforms and hobnailed boots), Ireland's current force is heavily armed and equipped to international military standards.
Deployed in Mowag armoured personnel carriers with night vision equipment, thermal imaging and infra-red sighting systems, today's Irish personnel carry state-of-the-art automatic weapons, medium and heavy machine guns, along with close artillery support.
In addition, they are air-mobile in Ukranian MI-8 and MI-26 troop helicopters.
Tom Clonan is a defence analyst