Dear Editor,
My name is Corporal (Cpl ) James Cunningham from Kilkenny. I am currently serving with the 105 Infantry Battalion in South Lebanon as part of the United Nations Interim Forces In Lebanon (UNIFIL ).
With eight (8 ) years service in the Defence Forces this is my 3rd mission overseas. I have previously served in Liberia and Tchad. My role within the 105 Infantry Battalion is one which requires much responsibility. I am a Commander of a Mowag Piranha III Close Reconnaissance Vehicle (CRV ). As a Mowag Commander it is my responsibility to ensure that the Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC ) and its crew is at all times ready to move anywhere within the Irish Area of Operations (AO ) at a moments notice. My Mowag and its crew form part of the Irish Battalions Quick Reaction Force (QRF ). This means we have personnel that are on duty to move to any location within the Irish AO with no delay. As we may very well be responding to an incident that could involve saving peoples lives, where time lapse is one of our paramount concerns. There have been several incidents since we arrived in South Lebanon four weeks ago, such as two separate cases of rocket attacks. Although no Irish troops were directly affected the attacks happened very close to the Irish AO and the Irish troops did respond. South Lebanon is far from a safe environment, it is dangerous thus why we are deployed here. One can only hope that someday South Lebanon will be safe as we all hope for peace.
When I am not on QRF duties, my unit conducts patrols into the local villages where we meet with the locals. It is important to meet and engage with the local population. Over the many years Irish troops have served in Lebanon it is very evident, in my short time here, that there is a close bond that exists between the Irish and Lebanese. It is important to maintain this for many reasons not to mention that it is important to be able to judge their feelings and the atmosphere which may help us to avoid any problems.
As we look towards Christmas in South Lebanon, it is hard being away from home at this time of year but everyone is in the same boat so we just get along with it and try make the most out our time here. A few of my friends out here are planning to exchange small gifts on Christmas morning.
My girlfriend Aoife is at home working in Dublin, we are both missing each other but I know she is looking forward to Christmas. I plan in using the phone facilities available to us in Camp Shamrock on Christmas morning and ringing my family to wish them a Happy Christmas.
I would like to wish my family, Aoife and all my friends a Happy Christmas, I am looking forward to seeing all of you in the New Year.
Yours sincerely,
Corporal James Cunningham
Kilkenny
