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Defence Forces Personnel depart for European Union Training Mission in Uganda

22 April 2010, 5.30pm

Five members of the Defence Forces departed Ireland this afternoon to participate in the European Union’s Training Mission of Somali military personnel in Uganda.

The purpose of the Mission, known as “EUTM Somalia” (European Union Training Mission Somalia) is to train Somali military personnel, thereby contributing to the strengthening of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and the institutions of Somalia.

The EU mission, which is headed by Spain, will see military training being delivered to some 2,000 Somali trainees over a period of 12 months. The training is being provided to support existing programmes being delivered by Uganda, and is being undertaken in support of UN resolution 1872.

The mission headquarters is located in Kampala, the capital of Uganda. The training facility is based in Bihanga camp, which is approximately 211km West of Kampala.

The Defence Forces are contributing five personnel to this mission, on a tour of duty which will last six months. The three officers and two Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) will fill the following appointments:

The European Union is deploying nine training teams with different areas of responsibility. Defence Forces personnel are part of a training team which also includes three Maltese military instructors. The team has
responsibility for training junior leaders (NCOs). This task will involve teaching basic military leadership skills such as command and control, small team tactics and instructional skills.

The Irish contingent, known as “IRCON 1 EUTM Somalia,” will travel to Madrid by commercial carrier today, and from there to Uganda on 23 April with the Spanish Air Force.

For more information on EUTM Somalia, follow this link

 

 

Further information from:

Press Officer:  Comdt. Neil Nolan            01 8042687 : 087 2482130

e-mail:  Press Officer    web: www.military.ie