Army Ranger Wing

The Army Ranger Wing ( Irish: Sciathán Fianóglach to airm ) is the special unit of the Irish armed forces. They were established on 16 March 1980.

History

Between 1960 and 1970, several members of the Irish armed forces attended the courses of the U.S. Army Rangers at Fort Benning, Georgia, which were used after their return to the organization of similar courses. The first students of these courses were selected from all units and armed forces of Ireland.

The creation of the Army Ranger Wings went hand in hand with the international rise of terrorism and kidnapping from ships and aircraft. The Irish government realized how many other people that they could stop this increase only with the help of new military and police tactics and formed a special military unit according to international standards.

The Army Ranger Wing was set up in March 1980 formally by government command.

Motto

" Glaine ár gcroí / Neart ár ngéag / Agus beart de reír ár mbriathar " is the motto of the Army Ranger Wings, which comes from an old poem of the Fianna. Translated it means " the purity of our hearts / The strength of our limbs / And our commitment to our promise ."

Order

The mission of the Army Ranger Wings consists of military and civilian tasks. Military include military operations behind the enemy lines such as reconnaissance or the capture and / or protection of enemy key personnel. Civilian tasks include anti -terrorism operations, hostage rescue and VIP protection. In addition, the Army Rangers have the task of checking the safety standards in Irish military itself.

Selection and training

Admitted to the selection test are only physically healthy, active serving members of the Irish armed forces of every rank and from every part force. The prospective recruits are faced with three weeks toughest mental and physical pressure exposed.

After this selection follows - should the recruit in question have been accepted - a six-month course on the basic skills of Army Rangers, such as survival training and hostage rescue tactics in houses, buses, airplanes and ships. This is followed by a development of Rangers, who among other things is formed in sniping, combat swimming, health care and the like.

Equipment

The Army Rangers are armed with, among others, the SIG -Sauer P226 from the Switzerland and the German Heckler & Koch MP5. Furthermore, they have additional equipment such as jeeps, sniper rifles and light mortars.