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| OVERSEAS SECTION |

mental in maintaining these relationships, a good example
is the cooperation which the Defence Forces currently
undertakes with the Finnish Armed Forces in UNIFIL. “We
have a joint Battalion with the Finns in UNIFIL,” explains Lt
Col Hearns. “The Irish are currently lead nation in that bat-
talion – a status we assumed in November 2016. There
was substantial planning, logistical and staff work to ex-
ecute the takeover from the Finns at that time. The Over-
seas Section is in regular communication with our Finnish
counterparts, trouble shooting and problem solving as
situations develop on the mission. We conduct biannual
meetings with the Finns to discuss and plan for strategic
concerns related to our partnership. It’s another good ex-
ample of working the channels of communication from the
office to the overall benefit of the mission.”
In line with developing extensive overseas experience
over the years, Lt Col Hearns has also worked to assist
the development of the Defence Forces as a learning or- Irish troops on duty with UNIFIL
ganisation. “I served at the Military College between 2006
and 2012, working with students on the Command & size are generating substantial overseas outputs, both in
Staff Course. I also completed the Command & General terms of quality and quantity,” Mark adds. “All our overseas
Staff Course at Fort Leavenworth in the US between 2008 missions make a huge contribution to Ireland’s standing
and 2009. Having the opportunity to take part in courses internationally, and give us a voice at high level fora such
of that calibre is a fantastic opportunity for officers. Ex- as the UN and the EU in important matters where our input
posure to the US military system, upon which our own is valued and appreciated. Whatever the scale of contri-
military education system is based and the UK, where we bution to international peace operations, we are sending
also send personnel, provides us with excellent learning highly trained people to undertake complex tasks in often
opportunities, which we can then feed back into our own hazardous and dynamic environments. On a personal level
career courses in the Military College and of course into this is a role I’m really enjoying. I’m delighted to be able
our operational practices both home and abroad.” to put something back into the organisation in terms of
The Overseas Section is the driver within the Defence planning and delivery of overseas operations. I think I can
Forces to deliver overseas peacekeeping missions as part speak for all the staff here by saying it’s a job which is
of their roles as assigned by Government. “We are de- complex and challenging, but also remarkably engaging
livering huge value for money here and for a Force of its and rewarding.

Commandant Aine Flynn

I am a Staff Officer in Overseas Operations Section where I have served since 2016.
I was commissioned in 2001 with the 76th Cadet Class and since then, in addition to
my various on island appointments I have served overseas in 3 different missions. I
served in KFOR as an Operations Officer for one year in 2007/2008 as part of a Multi-
national Headquarters. I served as an UNMO in Western Sahara in 2011 and my most
recent appointment was as Operational Company Commander in UNIFIL with the 51
Inf Gp in 2015/2016 following promotion to Comdt. With personnel currently deployed
on 13 missions abroad, Overseas Section is an exceptionally busy and interesting place
to work. I am currently the desk Officer for UNIFIL, which is our largest troop mission.
A huge variety of material crosses our desk here and we are always on call to deal with
both routine issues and operational incidents which occur overseas. Our role requires
collaboration with a wide variety of agencies both on and off Island from the UN, EU and
NATO to mention a few. From an experiential point of view Overseas Section has been
an invaluable learning opportunity for me. We regularly brief personnel deploying to all
missions as well as delivering briefs to DAs, Staff Courses and Press. Our team must
be constantly aware of what’s happening in all our missions and foresee and plan for future deployments to ensure all
personnel serving overseas are supported and protected. ¾

14 | | WINTER ‘17 |