Irish forces host foreign troops at Kilworth

THE Irish Defence Forces were the hosts as a number of forces from different countries trained together at Kilworth Camp in Cork.

A Brigade Cavalry Squadron based in Collins Barracks in Cork was joined by two others from Cathal Brugha Barracks in Dublin and an Armoured Cavalry Squadron from the Curragh Camp.

These four squadrons trained with personnel from a number of foreign armies for an evaluation in Cork.

Reconnaissance and preparation began last week and the exercise itself ran from Monday to Thursday.

The Defence Forces Press Office said the training that took place was related to the Operational Capabilities Concept Evaluation and Feedback Programme (OCC E&F).

It is aimed at improving the ability of foreign armed forces to work together, be it for peacekeeping, humanitarian work or other activities. Units training together and aligning procedures is seen as a way to make missions involving cooperation proceed more smoothly.

The Irish Defence Forces have been involved in peacekeeping in many parts of the globe since the 1950s, frequently working side by side with troops from other countries.

Currently Irish troops are deployed on missions in Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East.

The Defence Forces Press Office would not confirm which other countries were involved at Kilworth but said the event was a great success.

“The evaluation process is a two step process focusing on interoperability,” a spokesperson said. “The unit has had two intense training periods of approx six weeks leading up to both assessments in 2018 and planning has been underway since November 2016.”