Irelands troops on front line

national | miscellaneous | news report Monday March 31, 2003 18:18 by rooster

AROUND 1,000 of the 40,000 British service personnel in Kuwait are from regiments that have direct links to Northern Ireland. More than half of the 650-strong first battalion of the Royal Irish Regiment, which is part of 16 Air Assault Brigade, come from the province. Around 80 of the battalion's soldiers are from the Republic.

The brigade also contains around 80 Royal Irish Rangers (Territorial Army) volunteers from Northern Ireland.
And approximately 300 troops from the Irish Guards are serving with part of 7 Armoured Brigade.
Both brigades come within 1 (UK) Armoured Division.
The Royal Irish Regiment has been moved towards the front line this evening on the Kuwait/Iraq border (source: UTV). Over 80 members of the unit are men from the Republic of Ireland. Lets hope they all return home to Ireland safe and sound in a few weeks. Its good to see some of our fellow citizens defend our freedom.

An unknown number of Ulster folk are serving with other branches of the armed forces, including the RAF, the Royal Navy, the Parachute Regiment and the Royal Marines.

All so that the southern Irish can sleep soundly under the blanket of protection provided by Northern troops.