Irish soldiers heading to Syria are facing a “volatile situation that can bubble over any minute” - one of the country’s top military chiefs has warned.
However Major General Ralph James claims the 129 troops heading to the dangerous region next month have the equipment and skills to face any challenge.
Friday soldiers from the 44th Infantry Group were being put through their paces during the final phase of their training in the Glen of Imaal, Co Wicklow.
They took part in a simulated attack with a roadside bomb and also carried out a medical evacuation.
The brave men and women will jet out to the dangerous region in March to join the United Nations Disengagement Observation Force (UNDOF) based in the Golan Heights region of Syria.
The army’s second-in-command Major Genral Ralph James observed today’s exercise: “We all understand what these guys are going out to. They have to hit the ground running so we have to push them here.
“They have responded and shown themselves up to it.
“What we have to do is plan for the worst possible scenario and that’s the standard we train them up to. At the moment it is nice, it’s calm – relatively speaking. But it’s volatile, it can bubble over at any minute and that’s when we have to have it.”
However the army chief insisted that the troops are ready.
“They’ve been trained for all the normal soldiering skills and they’ve been equipped. We believe we have the best equipment, match that with the best training and they are ready for it.”
Among those heading out to the region are brother and sister Craig and Gemma Lacey from Wexford town.
This is the first time that the siblings have been on an overseas mission together and the first mission for Craig, 22.
Armoured personnel carrier driver Gemma, 31, who has been on three previous missions, said: “I’m looking forward to the trip. We have done a lot of training prior to the mission. It will probably be different serving with my brother overseas but I am looking forward to it.”
Craig added: “I’m a small bit nervous. We are well equipped and well trained but I am ready for it.”
The siblings will be joined on the ground by Kildare camogie player and All Star Lieutenant Angela Lyons.
The 30-year-old, who is based in Cathal Brugha Barracks in Rathmines, explained that she will miss the championship this year.
“We won the Junior Championship last year so we will be in Intermediate this year. Hopefully the girls will do well when I’m gone away.
“I will definitely be bringing two hurls with me when I go away though.”
SOURCE-IRISH MIRROR
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