Ireland declares 'End of Mission' at Camp Resolute Support, Kabul

Photo By Cmdr. Fernando Estrella | Ireland marks its end of mission at a flag-lowering ceremony on Sunday at Camp Resolute Support Headquarters in Kabul, Afghanistan.  

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN

03.06.2016

Story by Cmdr. Fernando Estrella 

Resolute Support Headquarters

KABUL - A detachment comprised of the last seven Defence Forces Ireland personnel lowers their national flag at Camp Resolute Support Headquarters in Kabul, Afghanistan marking the end of their mission with the NATO Coalition forces.

A ceremony to mark the completion of the Defence Forces Ireland military mission to Afghanistan was held at Resolute Support (RS) Headquarters on Sunday. The ceremony was attended by RS Commander General Nicholson and the RS senior military and civilian leadership. Following 15 years of unbroken service with both the NATO ISAF and RS missions, the final contingent of seven Defence Forces personnel will redeploy to Ireland. To date, 226 Officers and Non-Commissioned Officers from the Defence Forces have served in a variety of appointments within the Headquarters based in Kabul, Afghanistan. From 2001 until 2012 the Irish Defence Forces held the senior Counter IED appointment in the NATO mission, where they led the Counter IED capability build up based on over 3 decades of bomb disposal experience in Ireland and the Middle East. In his speech Lieutenant General Timothy Radford, Deputy Commander RS, thanked the Irish Contingent for their “hard work, commitment, good humour and characteristic warmth that you have brought with you to Kabul.” The Irish National Flag was lowered for the last time at HQ RS and handed over to Lt Col Rossa Mulcahy the Senior Irish Officer in Resolute Support.

• Date Taken: 03.06.2016
• Date Posted: 03.08.2016 12:09
• Story ID: 191576
• Location: KABUL, AF