Irish Troops Return From Lebanon Deployment

The final rotation of over 190 Irish troops from the 118th Infantry Battalion, United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) returned home to Dublin Airport following a six-month deployment to South Lebanon.

A total of 341 Defence Forces personnel deployed with the 118th Infantry Battalion. Drawn from many different Units across the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps, the majority of the 118th Infantry Battalion personnel come from the 6th Infantry Battalion based in Custume Barracks, Athlone.

The unit worked as part of a multinational battalion, comprising of Irish, Maltese, Polish and Hungarian personnel, collectively referred to as IRISHPOLBATT.

Their replacements, the 119th Infantry Battalion, have completed their deployment to Lebanon and have joined their UNIFIL colleagues in theatre.

Stats and figures from the Irish troops Lebanon deployment:

• The total number of personnel that deployed to UNIFIL with the 118th Infantry Battalion on this rotation is three hundred and forty-one (341).
• 18 females deployed with the 118th Infantry Battalion. 
• This tour saw seventy-eight (78) personnel travelled overseas with the Defence Forces for the first time.  
• Personnel from 118th Infantry Battalion represent 28 counties across Ireland; the 5 counties with the most representation are Westmeath, Kildare, Dublin, Cork and Offaly. 

Source: Óglaigh na hÉireann