Army Ranger Wing
Template:Short description Template:Use Hiberno-English Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox military unit
The Army Ranger Wing (ARW) (Template:Langx,<ref name="arwabout">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> "SFA") is the special operations force of the Irish Defence Forces, the military of Ireland. It is a branch of the Irish Army, it also selects personnel from the Naval Service and Air Corps. It serves at the behest of the Defence Forces and Government of Ireland, operating internally and overseas, and reports directly to the Chief of Staff. The ARW was established in 1980 with the primary role of counter terrorism and evolved to both special operations and counter-terrorism roles from 2000 after the end of conflict in Northern Ireland.<ref name="30 years magazine"/><ref name="2007 magazine 1">Template:Cite journal</ref> The unit is based in the Curragh Camp, County Kildare. The 2015 White Paper on Defence announced that the strength of the ARW would be considerably increased due to operational requirements at home and overseas.<ref name="Whitepaper 2015">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
The unit has served abroad in a number of international peacekeeping and peace enforcement missions including in Somalia, East Timor, Liberia, Chad, and Mali.<ref name="30 years magazine" /> The ARW trains with special forces units around the world, particularly in Europe.<ref name="2010 magazine">Template:Cite journal</ref> The ARW in its domestic counter terrorism role trains and deploys with the Garda Síochána (national police) specialist armed intervention unit, the Emergency Response Unit (ERU).<ref name="Independent 2014">Template:Cite news</ref>
In February 2022, the Commission on the Defence Forces report recommended that the ARW be renamed the Ireland Special Operations Force (IRL-SOF).<ref>Template:Cite report</ref> The IRL-SOF would be placed under a Special Operations Command which would report directly to Joint Force Command.Template:Sfn A follow up report released in November 2023, the Detailed Implementation Plan for the Report of the Commission of the Defence Forces, stated that the ARW is due to be renamed the IRL-SOF in 2028.<ref name="DIP-CoDF">Template:Cite report</ref> The updated IRL-SOF is proposed to consist of three Task Groups: Land, Air and Maritime.<ref name="DIP-CoDF"/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> By 2028, the Air and Maritime Task Groups are to be re-located to the Casement Aerodrome and the Haulbowline Naval base.Template:Sfn
RolesEdit
The Army Ranger Wing roles are divided between wartime special operations ("Green Role") and anti-terrorism ("Black Role"), the latter known formally as military Aid to the Civil Power (ATCP):<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Military tasks (Green Role)Edit
Offensive operations behind enemy lines
- securing of vital objectives
- long-range reconnaissance patrol (LRRP)
- razzias (raids)
- ambushes
- sabotage
- capture of key personnel
- diversionary operations
- intelligence gathering
Defensive operations
- VIP protection
- counter-insurgency
- training in and conduct of specialist operations
- delay operations
Aid to the civil power tasks (Black Role)Edit
- anti-hijack operations
- hostage rescue operations
- airborne and seaborne interventions
- search operations - specialist tasks on land or sea
- pursuit operations
- recapture of terrorist-held objectives
- VIP security operations/close protection of VIPs
- contingency planning to counter terrorist/subversive threats
Name and mottoEdit
The unit's official name is Sciathán Fianóglach an Airm in the Irish language which translates into English as "Army Ranger Wing".<ref name="arwabout"/> Fianóglach (representing "Ranger") is an amalgamation of two Irish words. Fiann is closest to the word "warrior", and refers to the ancient band of warriors known as Na Fianna in Irish mythology.<ref name="ARW"/> Óglach literally means "young soldier", and is often translated as '"volunteer". Use in this context refers to the name of the Defence Forces in Irish: Óglaigh na hÉireann ("Irish Volunteers"). Na Fianna were purportedly expert warriors, so the addition of the word Fiann before Óglaigh denotes an elite element to the unit.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The shoulder flash insignia of the unit uses Fianóglach.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
The motto of the Army Ranger Wing is taken from an old Fianna poem, in Irish it is: "Glaine ár gcroí, Neart ár ngéag, Agus beart de réir ár mbriathar", which translates as: "The purity of our hearts, the strength of our limbs and our commitment to our promise".<ref name="ARW"/>
HistoryEdit
In the late 1960s, the Defence Forces established 'Special Assault Groups' (SAG) in the Army to meet security challenges on the border with Northern Ireland.<ref name="SAG">Template:Cite journal</ref> A number of Army officers attended the United States Army Ranger School in Fort Benning, Georgia who returned to conduct Army Ranger courses in Ireland with the first held in 1969.<ref name="SAG" /> Among its founding officers was later-to-be Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Dermot Earley.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Special Assault Groups were formed comprising 40 Rangers trained in all arms, engineering and ordnance techniques.<ref name="SAG" />
By the mid-1970s, the Defence Forces had over 300 Rangers who conducted support operations on the request of the Garda Síochána.<ref name="SAG" /> Students on these courses were selected from among all ranks and units of the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps.<ref name="History 2007">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The courses improved standards of physical endurance, marksmanship, individual military skills and small unit tactics.<ref name="History 2007" /> In December 1977, the Garda Síochána formed a counter-terrorist unit named the Special Task Force (STF) to operate in border regions that was later to become the Emergency Response Unit.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Following an assessment of the SAG, and Rangers receiving training from the M-Squadron, an elite counter-terrorism (CT) branch of the Royal Netherlands Marine Corps,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> in 1978 it was decided to consolidate the Rangers into a new special forces unit with a counter-terrorist capability following an increase in international and national terrorism, such as the 1972 Munich massacre in Germany (then West Germany) and a number of hostage-takings by the Provisional IRA (such as the Balcombe Street siege).<ref name="1990 magazine" /><ref name="30 years magazine" /><ref name="SAG" /><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
The Army Ranger Wing (ARW) was formally established, in accordance with the Defence Act, by Government order on 16 March 1980.<ref name="1990 magazine" /><ref name="History 2007" /><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The ARW received its colours in 1981; Black, Red and Gold, signifying Secrecy, Risk and Excellence.<ref name="30 years magazine" /> In 1991, the ARW was granted permission to wear the Green beret.<ref name="30 years magazine" />
In April 2017, it was reported that there had been no increase in the strength of the ARW despite the 2015 White Paper's aim to considerably increase the strength of the unit.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
On 16 January 2022, there were recommendations made for some ARW operators to be based in Cork to work alongside their colleagues in the Naval Service in improving its maritime anti-terrorism capabilities.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In January 2022, the ex-ARW operator turned politician Cathal Berry said that he backed proposals to rename the unit as the 'Ireland Special Operations Force' (ISOF).<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
StructureEdit
The Officer Commanding the Army Ranger Wing is responsible for the administrative, disciplinary and operational control of the unit, and is in turn directly under the command of the Chief of Staff at Defence Forces Headquarters (DFHQ).<ref name="C3 2002">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Information on the numerical strength of the unit and the identity of its personnel is restricted.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="Dáil Éireann 2005">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Estimates variously put the strength at "well over a hundred" or between 140 and 150 personnel.<ref name="Herald 2010">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="Flying 2015">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="Independent 2014" /> In 2015, the Defence White Paper announced an increase in strength with reports of the unit doubling in size.<ref name="Flying 2015" /><ref name="Whitepaper 2015" /><ref name="Irish Times 2016">Template:Cite news</ref> The Wing is divided into operational task units each comprising several assault teams relative to each operator's area of speciality.<ref name="SOFQ" /><ref name="Signal Winter 2015" /><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="1990 magazine" /> After serving one year in an assault team an operator can apply to join a specialist team such as combat diving team, free fall parachuting team and sniping team.<ref name="2007 magazine 2" /><ref name="2013 September" /> An example of an operational task unit is the Special Operations Maritime Task Unit (SOMTU).<ref name="2013 September" /><ref name="April 2016">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Support elements provide expertise in bomb disposal, medical treatment, maritime and aviation operations.<ref name="support">Template:Cite news</ref> The Army Ranger Wing is headquartered at the Defence Forces Training Centre (DFTC) in the Curragh Camp, with Army Rangers required to live within a defined radius.<ref name="Herald 2010" /> Training is carried out nationwide at a number of Department of Defence properties, including Lynch Camp in Kilworth, County Cork.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
The ARW is on immediate call 24/7, 365 days a year for operations throughout the state and abroad. The ARW is on 96 hours' notice to deploy overseas on special operations.<ref name="ranger22">Template:Cite book</ref> The ARW is on a 1-hour alert for anti-terrorist operations to deploy anywhere on land in the Republic of Ireland using Air Corps aircraft and up to 200 miles out to sea via the Naval Service vessels.<ref name="ranger22"/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In the event of a major terrorist, hijacking or hostage incident, the ARW may be called to aid the Garda ERU, and in the past, they have been put on standby to assist the Irish Prison Service during major prison riots. The unit has on occasion been tasked for search and rescue (SAR) operations, as the ARW have trained Arctic survival specialists.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Besides sanctioned international military missions, the unit may be deployed overseas to protect Irish diplomatic missions and diplomats (particularly in times of war or civil unrest in host countries),<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> to provide close protection to members of the Irish government travelling overseas,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> to rescue kidnapped Irish citizens,<ref name="Signal Winter 2015">Template:Cite journalTemplate:Dead linkTemplate:Cbignore</ref><ref name="iraq">Template:Cite news</ref> to extract citizens in hostile or conflict zones, or to conduct intelligence operations.<ref name="Irish Independent">Template:Cite news</ref>
The ARW is equipped with SINCGAR ITT, Harris and Racal communications equipment, which have an inbuilt encryption and frequency-hopping systems.<ref name="C3 2002" /> It is also equipped with satellite communications, through the ARW C3 (Command, Control & Communications) function and in cooperation with the Communications and Information Services Corps (CIS).<ref name="C3 2002" /> This means ARW teams can communicate with their GHQ from anywhere in the world. The Army Ranger Wing Intelligence Section has the ability to remotely intercept electronic and telephonic communications,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> working with the Directorate of Military Intelligence (J2)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and Army CIS Corps.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Selection and trainingEdit
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Candidates must be serving members of the Permanent Defence Forces (PDF) from any of the three branches (Army, Air Corps or Naval Service).<ref name="1990 magazine" /><ref name="Oireachtas June 2008" /> The candidate must be medically fit and have attained the rank of at least 3 Star Private (or equivalent).<ref name="Oireachtas June 2008">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> There is no age limit to attempt selection.<ref name="Selection 2011" /> Selection has been open to females since 1984, however, none have been successful.<ref name="Herald 2010" /><ref name="2011 women magazine">Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name="Oireachtas December 2005">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Usually 40 to 80 candidates attempt selection annually.<ref name="Selection 2011" />
The ARW recentlyTemplate:When revised its selection and assessment procedures combining the previous Selection course & Basic Skills course into a new single course named the Special Operations Force Qualification Course (SOFQ).<ref name="Independent 2014" /><ref name="SOFQ">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The SOFQ is conducted over 10 months (40 weeks).<ref name="Facebook" /> The Selection Course had been conducted over 3 weeks after being reduced in 2006 from 4 weeks.<ref name="Selection 2011">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="2007 magazine 3">Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The Basic Skills course had been conducted over 5 months.<ref name="Selection 2011"/><ref name="2007 magazine 3" /><ref name="2008 January magazine">Template:Cite journal</ref>
The SOFQ is divided into 5 modules:<ref name="SOFQ" />
- Assessment & Evaluation
- Skills & Leadership
- SOF Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures TTPs
- Counter-Terrorism Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures TTPs
- Continuation training
Module 1 assesses a candidate's level of physical fitness, motivation and suitability to progress on towards further modules (2–5) of the SOFQ course similar to the previous selection course.<ref name="SOFQ" /> Candidates must pass a series of fitness assessments, map reading and individual navigation assessments, claustrophobia, water confidence, and psychometric testing.<ref name="SOFQ" /> The final phase of Module 1 includes individual navigation exercises with set weights over unknown distances and completion times which can be over 250 km, culminating in an additional 65 km cross-country march carrying a 65 lb combat load in the Dublin & Wicklow mountain range.<ref name="SOFQ" /><ref name="Facebook" /> On average candidates get between four and five hours sleep per night.<ref name="Selection 2011" /> Officer and senior NCO candidates are subjected to separate, rigorous scrutiny of their planning and decision-making skills to determine their suitability.<ref name="SOFQ" /> The length of Module 1 is 3 weeks similar to the previous selection course length.<ref name="Facebook">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}Template:Cbignore</ref> Typically 85% of candidates fail Module 1.<ref name="Facebook" /> Between 2000 and 2005, approximately 240 attempted selection, including a female, with 50 successful.<ref name="Dáil Éireann 2005" />
Modules 2 to 4 consist of assessment and training in weapons and marksmanship, live-fire tactical training, special operations tactics, techniques, and procedures (green role) and counter-terrorism tactics, techniques, and procedures (black role), combat water survival, Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Extraction (SERE), communications and medical training.<ref name="SOFQ" /> Upon successful completion of Module 3, candidates are awarded the Fianóglach shoulder tab and are provisionally assigned to the unit. Upon successful completion of Module 4, candidates are awarded the distinctive ARW green beret.<ref name="SOFQ" />
Module 5 Continuation training is the conclusion of the SOFQ course, and candidates are posted to an operational ARW task unit as an assault team operator.<ref name="SOFQ" /> 3 Star Privates (and equivalents) who are successful in completing the SOFQ course pass out at the rank of Acting Corporal, and the lowest commissioned rank in the unit is that of Captain.<ref name="April 2016"/> All candidates must successfully complete the basic parachute course of five (5) static line jumps from 3,000 feet using T10 round canopies.<ref name="Parachute 2002">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="2007 magazine 2" />
As of 2012, it was reported that since the unit's inception fewer than 400 had completed training to become a Ranger.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Further specialist training courses for Rangers include advanced combat medical skills, military freefall, combat diving (taught by the specialist Naval Service Diving Section) and boat handling, close protection and handling of advanced weapons.<ref name="SOFQ" /><ref name="2007 magazine 2" />
Prior to 2000 with The Troubles, approximately 85% of Ranger training had been dedicated to counter-terrorism.<ref name="Independent 1998">Template:Cite news</ref> The average age of a Ranger is 31 years old with the eldest 44 years old.<ref name="Selection 2011" /> On average, a member of the ARW spends between 5 and 10 years serving with the unit before being returned to their home unit bringing their skills with them, but it is not uncommon for some to spend 15 years in the unit.<ref name="2007 magazine 2" />
The ARW has its own purpose-built tactical training facilities, including shooting ranges, kill houses and various urban and rural settings. The main facility is known as "Tac Town", based in the Curragh.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Other ranges are located in County Wicklow. These facilities are also made available to the ERU.<ref>Template:Cite news (subscription required)</ref>
The ARW has trained with other military and law enforcement special operations forces, including;
- Template:AUS – Special Air Service Regiment (SASR)<ref name="Tactical 2013" />
- {{#invoke:flag||Belgium}} – Special Forces Group (SFG)<ref name="April 2016"/>
- Template:CAN – Joint Task Force 2 (JTF2) & Canadian Special Operations Regiment (CSOR)<ref name="Tactical 2013" />
- {{#invoke:flag||France}} – GIGN & 1er RPIMa<ref name="2007 magazine 1" /><ref name="2007 magazine 2" /><ref name="Independent 1998" /><ref name="International 2002">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Template:GER – GSG 9 & KSK<ref name="2007 magazine 2" /><ref name="International 2002" />
- {{#invoke:flag||Italy}} – GIS & COMSUBIN<ref name="2007 magazine 2" /><ref name="International 2002"/><ref name="Tactical 2013" />
- Template:NED – UIM<ref name="2007 magazine 2" /><ref name="International 2002" />
- Template:NZL – New Zealand Special Air Service (NZSAS)<ref name="Tactical 2013" />
- {{#invoke:flag||Poland}} – JW GROM<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
- {{#invoke:flag||Sweden}} – SOG & FJS<ref name="2007 magazine 1" /><ref name="2007 magazine 2" /><ref name="International 2002" />
- REDIRECT Template:GBR – Special Air Service (SAS)<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
- Template:USA – 75th Ranger Regiment, Delta Force, Navy SEALs & Marine Corps Force Reconnaissance<ref name="Herald 2010" /><ref name="Tactical 2013">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="Herald SAG 40th" />
The ARW and ERU train specifically for marauding terrorist firearms/explosive attacks.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
In 2015, the Irish Defence Forces signed agreements with their British counterparts to deepen joint special forces peacekeeping co-operation,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> extending from previous deployments with British special forces in a number of combat zones.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Notable missionsEdit
Rangers have seen active service in a number of peacekeeping missions around the world with the United Nations, European Union (EU) and Partnership for Peace (PfP) of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (the Republic of Ireland is not a member of NATO, due to its policy of military neutrality). Individual deployments include Lebanon, Bosnia, Cyprus, Iraq and Western Sahara.<ref name="International 2002" />
SomaliaEdit
The ARW's first deployment overseas was in Somalia in 1993 as part of UNOSOM II where a number of teams joined the United States-led peacekeeping coalition tasked with imposing a ceasefire in the Baidoa region.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Over 100 Irish troops took part in the mission.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
On one regular return journey, from protecting a food convoy/supply run to Mogadishu, Irish and Indian UN troops were ambushed by insurgents. Following an intense firefight, there were more than 10 enemies killed with no Irish or Indian fatalities reported. Following this, the Irish contingent was supplied with armoured vehicles as they had previously been relying on soft-skinned vehicles mounted with heavy calibre machine guns.<ref name="shadow warriors"/>
East TimorEdit
In October 1999, No 1 IRCON (Irish Contingent), an ARW platoon of 30 Rangers deployed to East Timor as part of the International Force for East Timor (INTERFET) to restore peace and security following the independence referendum in August.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="Interfet">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="Irish times">Template:Cite news</ref> The Australian-led mission had begun nearly a month earlier with an allied special forces coalition of Australian Special Air Service, New Zealand Special Air Service and British Special Boat Service (SBS) armed Response Force.
No 1 IRCON was embedded in the reconnaissance company in the 1st Battalion, Royal New Zealand Regiment (1 RNZIR) Battalion Group together with an infantry company from the Canadian 3rd Battalion, Royal 22 Regiment bringing the battalion to full strength.<ref name="Irish times" /> The Battalion Group based in Suai was responsible for securing the south-west of the country from pro-Indonesia militias and Indonesian soldiers that included a long section of the border between East and Indonesian controlled West Timor.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
No 1 IRCON completed a four-month deployment followed by No 2 IRCON. In February 2000, INTERFET handed over command of military operations to the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET). No 2 IRCON completed its four-month deployment in June 2000 with subsequent rotations from infantry platoons.<ref name="Interfet" /> The Battalion Group had several contacts (firefights) and a number of incidents with threat forces sustaining no casualties.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
LiberiaEdit
The ARW was deployed in Liberia in the aftermath of the Second Liberian Civil War as part of a peacekeeping contingent of more than 400 troops from the Irish Army, in turn, part of the mixed Irish-Swedish Force Reserve Battalion of the United Nations mission in the country, UNMIL (2003). The ARW's area of operations (AO) was "all of Liberia", consisting of 4.7 million people and 111,369 km2 (43,000 sq mi).<ref name="shadow warriors"/>
One of their most successful missions during this deployment was the rescue of a large group of civilians captured by gunmen from renegade Liberian forces.<ref name="Irish Article">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Acting on intelligence, a team of twenty heavily armed Rangers were dropped via helicopters at the town of "Gbapa".<ref name="Irish Article"/> To avoid casualties among the hostages, the ARW implemented a policy of less-lethal intervention and, after surrounding a 40-foot container holding 35 hostages, rescued the innocent civilians and captured the rebel forces, including their commander.<ref name="Irish Article"/><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The incident, which resulted in no Irish casualties, drew praise from the international community and boosted the reputation of the ARW worldwide.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Ranger Sergeant Derek Mooney (33) of Dublin, was killed when his vehicle was involved in a motor vehicle accident during a transport convoy.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Chad and Central African RepublicEdit
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In February 2008, a Special Forces Task Group of 58 Rangers deployed to Abéché in Chad as part of the European Union Force Chad/CAR based at Camp Croci.<ref name="shadow warriors">Template:Cite bookTemplate:Page needed</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The ARW was an Initial Entry Force together with other EUFOR special forces that conducted special reconnaissance within the Irish assigned south eastern Chad area of operations.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
The ARW was later based at Multi-National Base-South at Goz Beïda known as Camp Ciara in the area of operations providing security during the construction of the base. The ARW conducted vehicle patrols along the Chad / Sudan border in their Ford F-350 Special Reconnaissance Vehicles.<ref name="Signal Winter 2015" /><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite AV media</ref> The ARW mission ended in June 2008 with the arrival of the 97th Infantry Battalion.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
MaliEdit
In June 2019, Dáil Éireann approved sending an ARW Task Unit and staff officers to the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) in intelligence and operational roles, on 4-month rotations for two years.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The ARW were deployed in response to an upsurge in violence in north-eastern Mali, led by militants affiliated with al-Qaeda. The Irish contingent were primarily tasked with conducting long-range reconnaissance patrols (LRRP) and deployed as part of a German-led ISTAR Task Force, benefiting from the protections and medical support in place for the larger force.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 14 ARW operators are reported to be involved per rotation.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
MINUSMA is the most dangerous UN peacekeeping mission. As of October 2019, 204 peacekeepers had been killed out of a total of 15,000 deployed uniformed personnel.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> It is the first overseas operational deployment for the ARW as a unit, in ten years.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
In February 2020, three ARW personnel were injured when an IED blast hit the armoured patrol vehicle they were travelling in, 70 km east of Gao.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The personnel were airlifted to hospital but after two weeks were reported to be "back to work".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Overseas extraction operationsEdit
In October 2005, Rangers and Arabic-speaking intelligence officers from Military Intelligence (J2) were deployed to Baghdad, Iraq,<ref name="iraq"/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> following the abduction of Irish journalist Rory Carroll by al-Qaeda-affiliated militants.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Following negotiations with Irish, British and American government representatives, Rory Carroll was released unharmed days later and returned safely to Ireland.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
In 2009, the ARW were involved in the evacuation of GOAL aid worker Sharon Commins who was kidnapped by Janjaweed in Darfur, Sudan for more than 100 days before being released, although the government denied the involvement of the ARW at the time.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
With the fall of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011 and the Libyan Civil War, the ARW, Air Corps and other Defence Forces assets were deployed in order to evacuate upwards of 115 Irish citizens from the country, mainly via the capital Tripoli. The ARW operated out of the British diplomatic mission in Malta.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> It was reported at the time that Irish officials printed fake boarding passes in order to bypass "tight" security at Tripoli airport, where authorities refused to allow a large number of aircraft to land or take off.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Three Irish aircraft were involved in the operation.
In October 2019 it was reported that the ARW were deployed to the Syrian border to extract Lisa Smith - a former Irish Army soldier who converted to Islam before fleeing Ireland to join ISIS - and her two-year-old child in a Non-Combatant Evacuation Operation (NEO) after the 2019 Turkish offensive into north-eastern Syria resulted in Kurdish-held ISIS prisoners escaping, including Smith, although the Defence Forces or Irish government did not confirm this.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> ARW personnel were in plainclothes and "discreetly armed" for protection purposes.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Smith was repatriated to Dublin Airport where she was arrested by Gardai and charged with terrorism offences.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
On 23 August 2021 in the aftermath of the Fall of Kabul to the Taliban, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence Simon Coveney approved the deployment of an Emergency Consular Assistance Team (ECAT) comprising ARW personnel and a small team of DFA diplomats to Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul in order to evacuate Irish citizens.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The options available to the Irish government to extract its citizens were hampered by Ireland's lack of an organic strategic airlift capability.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The mission ended on 26 August, just 48 hours after the team touched down in Kabul and resulted in the evacuation of 26 Irish citizens.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> It was reported the last members of the ECAT team left minutes after a deadly suicide bombing at Kabul airport.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
In April 2023, a team of up to 12 ARW were deployed to Sudan as part of the evacuation of foreign nationals during the 2023 Sudan conflict. ARW and DFA personnel travelled to Sudan via Djibouti to link up with and extract Irish citizens. The ARW provided medical & security support, secure communications and an intervention element.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Other overseas missionsEdit
During the War in Afghanistan, ARW personnel served in small numbers with ISAF and RSM from October 2006 to March 2007 and from September 2014 to March 2015, mainly as trainers, medical staff and IED experts.<ref name="support" />
From 2006 to 2014, it has been reported that operatives from the ARW, including from the Intelligence Section and Military Intelligence Directorate, had been on the ground in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Sudan, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Kosovo and Bosnia-Herzegovina as part of various international missions.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
In 2012, it was reported that the ARW could deploy 30 Rangers in the Gulf of Aden, subject to Government, Dáil and UN approval ("triple-lock"), to protect international shipping lanes against Somali pirates as part of the EU's Operation Atalanta.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
As of 2014, Rangers were serving missions on three continents, including training foreign forces in Africa and the Balkans, protection duties in Lebanon for the United Nations mission and security and intelligence operations on the Israeli-Syrian border (Golan Heights).<ref name="Independent 2014" />
In late 2015, Private John O'Mahony (Ret.) gave evidence as a witness in a military trial in Beirut, Lebanon against Mahmoud Bazzi, a former Lebanese militia fighter accused of murdering Private Thomas Barrett and Private Derek Smallhorne of the Irish Army in April 1980 in Southern Lebanon (see At Tiri Incident). O'Mahony was accompanied during his entire time in Lebanon by a Close Protection Team from the Army Ranger Wing.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
The ARW was chosen to spearhead the special operations task group (SOTG) for the EU Battlegroup rapid reaction force based in Germany, deploying in late 2019.<ref name="Irish Independent"/> It was the fourth time the Irish Defence Forces served in the Battlegroup, but the first time the ARW have as a unit. The wider force comprises 1,500 troops from EU member states. The ARW trained with the battlegroup for six months after which they remained on standby with it for 18 months.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> This overlapped with the unit's rotations to MINUSMA in Mali.
Reported domestic missionsEdit
In December 1983 the ARW was involved in an operation against a Provisional IRA "unit" on the loose in woodland in the South of County Leitrim that had been holding hostage for ransom a kidnapped businessman, the ARW having been sent in by the Government after the P-IRA had murdered a Garda officer and an Irish Army soldier that had found their hideout.<ref>R.T.E. News report, December 1983. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGgfGdJJSrs</ref>
In the early 1990s the ARW took part in operations in support of the Garda Emergency Response Unit against the Provisional IRA.<ref>'The Rangers at 30', 'Herald.ie', 18 March 2010. https://www.herald.ie/news/the-rangers-at-30-27945665.html</ref>
In January 1997, two teams of 12 from the ARW were sent to Mountjoy Prison in central Dublin where three prisoners armed with knives had taken two prison officers hostage and barricaded themselves inside the Medical Unit where they were threatening to kill the prison officers. The ARW took up positions ready to blow down the steel door to the unit and eliminate the threat posed by the hostage-takers. The siege ended within a few hours of the ARW being called in after the hostage-takers were made aware of their presence during negotiations and surrendered.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
In May 2011, the unit had a major role in protecting Queen Elizabeth II on her state visit to Ireland,<ref name="lavery">Template:Cite news</ref> where "viable" assassination attempts by dissident republican terrorists were prevented.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The ARW had airborne sniper teams in three AgustaWestland AW139 helicopters, counter assault teams in the motorcade and a number of ground teams, including 20 close protection officers.<ref name="lavery"/>
Also in May 2011, President of the United States Barack Obama received protection from the ARW on his visit to Ireland just days after the visit of the Queen.<ref name="lavery"/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The two visits were the largest civil security operations ever undertaken in the Republic of Ireland,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> both ultimately successful.
From January to July 2013, the wing formed part of the security apparatus for the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, held by Ireland for six months, which included supplying sniper and spotter teams. Also in June 2013, they helped secure the Republic of Ireland–United Kingdom border on land and at sea as part of the security operation for the 39th G8 summit in Northern Ireland.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
In the early morning of 26 September 2023, an ARW Maritime Task Unit was involved in the storming of MV Matthew, a Panamanian-registered bulk cargo vessel, off the coast of Cork in what was described as an "opposed boarding operation".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The ship had crossed the Atlantic from Venezuela; approximately 2,200 kilograms of cocaine with an estimated street value of €157 million were found hidden on board the next day, in the largest seizure of illegal narcotics in Irish history.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The ship, which had been monitored after entering Irish territorial waters, reportedly refused orders to halt for inspection and headed for international waters when warning shots were fired by the Template:Ship. This was followed by ARW maritime operators fast roping onto the vessel from an Irish Air Corps helicopter. After the ship was secured, it was escorted into Cork Harbour for further investigation.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The 25 crew members detained for interview,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> with nine people arrested (of whom one was released) Template:As of.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
CasualtiesEdit
Template:See also Three Rangers are known to have died while serving in the unit since its foundation in 1980, one of them overseas. Sergeant Derek Mooney, aged 33, of Blackrock, Dublin, died after the Land Rover Defender he was driving in a convoy overturned due to poor road conditions, 40 km south of Monrovia, Liberia on 27 November 2003.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Sgt Kevin Mayne (1987) and RQMS Patsy Quirke (1998) also lost their lives while serving in the unit,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> however no details regarding the cause of their deaths are publicly available. No other losses have been publicly disclosed.
In Paul O'Brien and Wayne Fitzgerald's book Shadow Warriors, it states "four operatives losing their lives while on active service" with the ARW, however, their names and details are omitted at the request of the Irish Defence Forces. They are remembered on a memorial located within the ARW compound at the Curragh Camp.<ref name="shadow warriors"/>
EquipmentEdit
WeaponsEdit
In addition to standard weapons of the Irish Defence Forces, weapons used by the ARW include:-
Personal weaponsEdit
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Support weaponsEdit
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- M203 grenade launcher<ref name="Platoon Weapons">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Denel Vektor M1 60mm Mortar Commando mortar<ref name="TW1">Tactical Weapons, May 2010 Issue. Guns of the Elite: Multi-Mission Warriors, page 93.</ref><ref name="Company Weapons" />
- Carl Gustav 84mm recoilless rifle<ref name="Company Weapons">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref> – including M2 and M3 variants
- AT4 Short Range Anti-Armour Weapon<ref name="Platoon Weapons" />
- Raytheon Javelin Anti-tank guided missile<ref name="Battalion Weapons">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Vehicle-mounted weaponsEdit
- FN 7.62mm GPMG<ref name="Company Weapons" />
- Browning M2 heavy machinegun .50cal<ref name="Battalion Weapons" />
- Heckler & Koch GMG 40mm automatic grenade launcher<ref name="Tactical 2013" />
Specialised equipmentEdit
Terrain vehicles
- 13 x Ford F-350 Special Reconnaissance Vehicle (SRV) - WMIK (Weapons Mount Installation Kit) by Ricardo Engineering<ref name="Herald 2010" /><ref name="independent">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- 3 x ACMAT VLRA tactical support vehicle (to re-supply SRV)<ref name="independent"/>
- Nissan Navara (tactical assault vehicle)<ref name="Tactical 2013 page2">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Nissan Patrol (armoured)
- Ford Ranger (T6)
- Mitsubishi Pajero
- Range Rover (modified for counter-terrorism duties)<ref name="Herald SAG 40th">Template:Cite news</ref>
- Yamaha 660 All-terrain vehicles<ref name="Tactical 2013 page2" />
- KTM motorcycles<ref name="Tactical 2013 page2" />
- Suzuki DR350 and DR-Z400 motorcycles
Watercraft
- Dräger LAR VII Rebreather<ref name="Herald 2010" /><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- STIDD Diver Propulsion Device (DPD)<ref name="2013 September">Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Klepper MK13 kayak<ref name="Herald 2010" /><ref name="2007 magazine 2" />
- Nautiraid Mark VI kayak<ref name="2007 magazine 2" />
- Zodiac M9 inflatable boat<ref name="2007 magazine 2" />
- Combat Rubber Raiding Craft<ref name="2007 magazine 2" />
- Rigid-Hulled Inflatable Boats (RHIBs) (Delta 7 metre, Lencraft 5.1 metre dive, and Lencraft 7.5 & 6.5 metre intruder RIBs)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Parachuting
- High-altitude military parachuting (HALO) & (HAHO) equipment<ref name="Parachute 2002" /><ref name="2007 magazine 2" />
- AFF rig Xerox Initial training rig<ref name="sw20202">"Drop zone". Shadow warriors (pg137 April 2020)</ref>
- SOV/MMS-360 advanced MFF training rig<ref name="sw20202"/>
- SOV/MMS Silhouette operational 1 man/ Tandem sigma 2 man HALO/HAHO rig<ref name="sw20202"/>
See alsoEdit
ReferencesEdit
External linksEdit
Template:Irish Army & Army Reserve Template:Irish Defence Forces