WPDF

Today, 213 members of IRISHPOLBATT—113 Irish & 100 Polish—were awarded the UNIFIL medal today, recognising their dedication to peacekeeping. On this special #StPatricksDay, we honour their service & celebrate our proud heritage. Lá fhéile Pádraig sona dhaoibh ☘️

Please help me honour Pte Billy Kedian who gave his all while serving as a UN peacekeeper in Lebanon in 1999. Glad that today he is getting the recognition he so richly deserves, by being posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for his selfless actions under fire…

The Defence Forces can confirm that all Irish personnel deployed to Lebanon are well and accounted for. All necessary force protection measures continue be to observed. We echo UNIFIL's condemnation of these attacks and remind all parties of their responsibility to ensure the safety & security of peacekeepers. We wish the Deputy Force Commander injured in the attack today, a swift recovery. We continue to work alongside our fellow peacekeepers to work to restore security and stability in south Lebanon in accordance with our mandate under Security Council resolution 1701.

Ah the @defenceforces never not helping out Irish citizens 🇮🇪 #BeMore

We are pleased to announce the successful rotation of the first challk of our troops currently serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). This rotation marks another important milestone in Ireland's longstanding commitment to international peacekeeping efforts. The first group, Chalk 1 of the 124th Infantry Battalion, has completed its tour of duty and returned home safely. We are delighted to welcome back 96 of our personnel, who have now been reunited with their families and loved ones. We commend them on their dedication to the cause of peace in such a volatile region. Meanwhile, Chalk 1 of the 125th Infantry Battalion has deployed and following a successful convoy operation they have taken up their positions at UNP 2-45 in Lebanon. This group of 187 personnel arrived safely and is prepared to undertake their mission with resilience and professionalism, even as they face an increasingly challenging security environment. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to both the returning and deploying personnel for their service. Our thoughts are with those who are currently deployed, and we look forward to welcoming them home safely when the time comes. Thank you to all the families and friends who continue to support our personnel during their time abroad. Lieutenant General Seán Clancy, Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, stated:"I welcome home our returning personnel and commend those who have just deployed. We're delighted that both groups have safely completed their journeys despite the complex environment. However, our mission isn't over. Our personnel will continue to display the highest levels of dedication and commitment during the handover process, and as we prepare for the rotation of Chalk 2. Their vigilance and professionalism are of vital importance to the region." Go raibh maith agaibh go léir, agus ádh mór 🇮🇪🇺🇳🇱🇧

€100 ONE4ALL TO BE WON: But hurray - take our 5-minute members survey re. our Members Draws before midnight tonight to be entered. surveymonkey.com/r/drawsurvey @defenceforces @IrishAirCorps @pdforra @WPDF_2017 #ansacmembersdraws

@NoelO832597 ❤️

R E S P E C T & L O Y A L TY ❤️ 🙏🏻

.@UNIFIL_ Head of Mission and Force Commander Major General Lázaro: “Yesterday, I visited peacekeepers in two Irish positions, which have seen intense fighting nearby. I am deeply proud of their high morale and commitment to @UNIFIL_’s mandate.” @defenceforces @IrishMissionUN

.@irishpolbatt personnel clearing the route to resupply their comrades on the Blue Line. 🇮🇪 🇺🇳 🇱🇧 @defenceforces @IRLDeptDefence @IrishMissionUN

The Defence Forces can confirm that all our personnel deployed with UNIFIL are well and accounted for, and no Irish personnel were involved in this incident. Our personnel continue to adhere to all necessary force protection and risk mitigation measures.

Take our 5-minute survey about our Members Draws & be in with a chance to win a €100 One4All voucher. Good luck! @defenceforces @WPDF_2017 @IrishAirCorps @naval_service @pdforra

Statement by Tánaiste and minister for Defence, and Foreign Affairs @MichealMartinTD on IDF firing on @UNIFIL_ posts.

Excellent piece by @colinivan in the @irishexaminer that captures the essence of what it means to be a peacekeeper.

LISTEN BACK: Worrying Time For UNIFIL Families @pjcoogan talks to Shelly Cotter @WPDF_2017 about having family serving with UNIFIL with the Israeli ground operation raging around them. shows.acast.com/corks-96-fm-op…

Situation Update on Irish Defence Forces serving with overseas missions in Lebanon for family members The Defence Forces can reconfirm that all personnel in Lebanon are well and accounted for, and remain vigilant in their mission areas. The conditions are tough at the moment for all the UN troops, with limited movement from Groundhog positions. However, the Irish troops remain steadfast in their determination and resilience to fulfill the mission. Thank you to all of the families of our soldiers currently deployed in Lebanon, our serving members, veterans and advocates for your unwaivering support, strength, patience and prayers for our personnel in the Middle East at this difficult time. Support is available to you through your local Unit Liaison Officers that can be contacted through your local barracks, from information on our websites military.ie/en/public-info…, military.ie/en/public-info…, with additional supports through the Defence Forces Personnel Support Service which can be contacted at pss@defenceforces.ie. Furthermore, our partners INSPIRE have a 24hr available to anyone seeking support. INSPIRE is a 24-hour external confidential counselling service providing a referral and support service on a wide range of personal and work-related issues. The service is available to serving personnel of the Defence Forces and to their partners or spouses, and to their adult children living at home. To access INSPIRE, please call 1800 409-673. Personnel serving overseas can access the service using 00-353-1-685-6816.

Situation Update on Irish Defence Forces serving with overseas missions in Lebanon for family members The Defence Forces can reconfirm that all personnel in Lebanon are well and accounted for, and are maintaining vigilance in their mission areas. Despite the tough conditions, the Irish troops remain steadfast in their determination and resilience to fulfill the mission. The Defence Forces would like to acknowledge and thank the families of our soldiers currently deployed in Lebanon. Your strength, patience and support of our troops at this difficult time is much appreciated The Defence Forces is aware of misinformation and imagery circulating. For all information on our overseas personnel, please contact the Defence Forces through our designated communication channels. For family members that is your unit liaison network, for members of the public please contact info@military.ie and for the media press@military.ie.

Disappointing to see Sunday Times describe @UNIFIL_ as “an employment creation scheme for otherwise underused Irish soldiers”. Tell that to the families of the 47 Irish soldiers who have paid the ultimate price in Lebanon since 1978. Absolutely shameful from @ST__Ireland.

Situation Update on Irish Defence Forces serving with overseas missions in Lebanon for family members The Defence Forces reconfirms that all personnel in Lebanon are well and accounted for. This is a challenging time and we recognise that this is an exceptional generation of soldiers. Their resilience and unwavering commitment to peace in a volatile region is commendable, and it is something that their families and our nation can be immensely proud of. Despite the heightened tensions and recent kinetic activity in the area, our troops continue to perform their duties with professionalism and courage. They are the eyes and ears of the international community, working diligently to create the space for diplomacy and the delivery of humanitarian aid, whilst ensuring their own safety. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the families of our personnel for their support and understanding during this critical mission. Your strength enables our soldiers to carry out their roles effectively. We will continue to keep you updated on any developments, and thank you for your continued support.