Ireland’s 127th Infantry Battalion held a mission readiness exercise in Co Wicklow this week ahead of deployment to Lebanon next month.
The deployment on the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil) mission is one of the last ahead of withdrawal in 2027. The UN Security Council voted in August to withdraw Unifil forces from southern Lebanon.
The mission will include 350 personnel, of which 341 are drawn from the Irish Defence Forces and nine from the Armed Forces of Malta.
They will deploy in November and take over duties from the 126th Infantry Battalion who were deployed in May, 2025.
The mission readiness exercise is designed to test troops in several demanding scenarios that represent the realities of the current situation in the Middle East and Southern Lebanon, which remains a volatile mission area.
The 127th Infantry Battalion completing their last stage of training in preparation for deployment to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). Photograph: Chris Maddaloni
This last phase of their training, known as the Mission Readiness Exercise is where personnel of the unit conduct several different serials such as live firing, battlefield awareness, casualty evacuations, ambushes, patrolling and more to ensure they are prepared for the challenges that will face them on deployment.
Photograph: Chris Maddaloni
The 127th Infantry Battalion’s MOWAG armoured personnel carrier during the Mission Readiness Exercise. Photograph: Chris Maddaloni
Offaly brothers Cpl Adam Delaney, and Pte Scott Delaney, with the 127th Infantry Battalion, completing their last stage of training in preparation for deployment to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). Photograph: Chris Maddaloni
The Mission Readiness Exercise, was held in the Glen of Imaal, Co Wicklow. Photograph: Chris Maddaloni
The Mission Readiness Exercise, was held in the Glen of Imaal, Co Wicklow. Photograph: Chris Maddaloni
Pte Emma Stynes prepares of this first deployment with the 127th Infantry Battalion.
Photograph: Chris Maddaloni
The Mission Readiness Exercise, was held in the Glen of Imaal, Co Wicklow. Photograph: Chris Maddaloni
They will deploy in November and take over duties from the 126th Infantry Battalion who were deployed in May, 2025. Photograph: Chris Maddaloni
The camera and weapon mount system on a MOWAG armoured personnel carrier with the 127th Infantry Battalion, who are completing their last stage of training in preparation for deployment to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon. Photograph: Chris Maddaloni
