Defence Forces’ busy year home and abroad

While the Naval Service may have stolen the limelight for its migrant rescue operations, it was one of the busiest years on record for the rest of the Defence Forces, both at home and abroad.

The Defence Forces has the longest unbroken record of overseas service of any country in the world since first deploying a UN mission in 1958. In 2016, more than 1,400 Defence Forces personnel served in overseas peace support and security operations in 15 countries.

The largest Defence Forces deployments are to South Lebanon where 380 personnel create a safe and secure environment; and to the Golan Heights where 140 personnel are deployed as a disengagement observer force.