Irish Deployment to Zimbabwe

[Drivindeath]

Irish Deployment to Zimbabwe

Five CASA/IPTN CN-235s have been deployed from Cork Airport. Many supplies could be seen loading onto the aircraft along with uniformed personnel. They left on 3 February 1997. They have been seen for the past five days arriving and leaving with supplies loading onto the aircraft. The last flight that left had three aircraft being loaded with supplies and two aircraft with uniformed personnel boarding.

Ltc Stevens of the Irish Air Corps was at the Defence Department and had this to say "Today on 3 February 1997, Col Patrick of the 1st Infantry Battalion, along with the 303 M&D Squadron of the Irish Air Corps will deploy for Zimbabwe in order to provide assistance and humanitarian aid to the people of Rhodesia. We are sending pharmaceutical supplies along with food and fresh water for the people of Rhodesia. On 8 February 1997 we are sending 500 Infantry Soldiers on the 1st Infantry Battalion on the grounds of being peacekeepers. This expeditionary force will be directly under the command of Col Patrick and will provide security and protection to the people of Rhodesia. We will coordinate with coalition forces on ground to distribute supplies. I will now take any questions at this time."

A member from The Irish Times asked this "How long will Ireland be in Zimbabwe and how many troops in total are going?"

Ltc Stevens responded "As of right now it is unknown how long we will be in Zimbabwe and at this time we have plans to further deploy support elements but we are keeping the number of soldiers over there to a minimum. No further questions."

Ltc Stevens left the podium and left in a Black SUV.