Cheers and hugs and kisses and a harlequin blizzard of home-made welcome posters greeted soldiers of the 48th Infantry Group as they were reunited with their families on their return from six month’s duty with the United Nations in Syria.
About 200 relatives and friends waited patiently at Casement Aerodrome in Baldonnell, Co Dublin on Wednesday as more than 100 members of the 130-strong group cleared military procedures before walking into a sea of flags, whooping partners and children – many of whom rushed forward leaping into the arms of the returning UN blue-beret wearing troops. An advance party of about 25 returned last week.
Wednesday’s returnees were led home by their commanding officer Lt-Col Mark Prendergast, who was hugged joyously by his nine-year-old daughter Lara and wife Ciara. It was “great to be back,” he said, adding that the six months on the Golan Heights had been “busy, rewarding, challenging, but everything we had prepared for”.
He and many of his returning colleagues featured in The Irish Times series, The Mission, published last April. It detailed the three months' training the troops went through before being deployed, and highlighted the specific roles and personal stories of some.
The task of the 48th on the Israeli-occupied Golan was to act as the Force Reserve Company, a rapid response and heavily armed unit for other unarmed UN troops working with Undof, the UN’s Disengagement Observer Force, which monitors the ceasefire between Israel and Syria. After decades of relative stability, Undof exists now along the precarious eastern edge of the Golan Heights where the Syrian civil war has effectively removed a demilitarised buffer zone.
The Defence Forces have deployed with Undof since September 2013 after several other participating countries withdrew because of the threat posed by the Syrian civil war.
Lt-Col Prendergast disclosed that Irish troops had experienced fire on 11 different occasions because they were operating so close to war, which in south-western Syria is being fought between the Syrian Army and what are called AGAEs – anti-government armed elements – insurgents of eclectic allegiances and none.
During their six months, soldiers with the 48th, who have now been replaced by a new Irish unit, the 50th Infantry Group, conducted 11 mine and ordnance search and clearance operations, disposed of three unexploded bombs and also build a series of accommodation units inside the UN’s base, Camp Ziouani, with sleeping for 130 and christened Irish Town.
Company second in command Capt Liam McDonnell said the Golan had been “the best experience of my career to date”.
He led seven Mowag armoured personnel carriers on a five-day mine search and clearance mission into the foothills of Mount Hermon, travelling through Israel, Lebanon and Syria, paving the way for the UN to establish a new position. The expedition allowed him lead in a real military situation, he said. “It’s what all the training is about.”
As more and more troops emerged from the airfield lugging rucksacks and kitbags and walked into the fiesta welcome, they were swallowed up by a sea of balloons and flags. Many relatives were emotional.
“Ah stop!” said Private Damien Adderlay’s mother Maria when asked if she was looking forward to seeing him. “He’s my baby.”
His girlfriend, Kayde Aherne, was also looking forward to seeing him. The party was planned; two kegs were ordered, she said.
Capt Jane O’Neill of the engineers, the builder of Irish Town, was so excited to be back she could hardly speak, other than to say the mission had been “a great experience”.
“Job done!” said second in command of the 48th, Commandant Paul Kelly, and, pointing to the mess, declared with a broad smile: “I’m going in there for a pint.”
“Great to be back!” said Capt Cormac Brady as his partner Hazel smothered him in kisses.
Regimental Sergeant Major Noel O’Callaghan observed the homecoming with a fatherly eye. “It was a great mission,” he said, “but this is great too: getting all these lads safely home.”
