While all of Ireland and the diaspora abroad celebrated St Patrick's Day, the 50 members of the Army Ranger Wing recently deployed to Chad were on patrol in the east of the country.
With temperatures soaring above 40C, the Rangers did not drown the shamrock.
Instead they continued on operations in prosecution of UN Security Council Resolution 1778.
With the full compliment of the Ranger Wing equipment deployed to EUFOR Chad/CAR and the strength of the UN mandated, EU led peacekeeping force now around 1,000 (including medical, logistics and air support), the force is continuing to patrol its large area of operations.
Abeche airportThe Austrian, Belgian, French, Irish and Swedish Initial Entry Force continue to carry out long range patrols in anticipation of the arrival of the remainder of the force which will have 14 EU nations contributing on the ground.
The Advance party of troops from the 97 Infantry Battalion will commence deployment in mid-April.
It is expected the 450 troops will be fully deployed in May and will be working in conjunction with approximately 60 Dutch Marines in Goz Beida.
This multinational unit will be commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Pat McDaniel. The troops are currently involved in mission specific training for their impending deployment.
Elsewhere, in Camp Clarke, Kosovo, the 220 members of the 37 Infantry Group deployed to the KFOR peacekeeping mission had a St Patrick's Day medal parade.
As is traditional overseas, Tour of Duty medals were awarded in recognition of their service in the UN mandated, NATO led peacekeeping mission.
Drawn mainly from the south of Ireland these troops will rotate home in mid-April after a six-month tour of duty.
Soldiers completing their first tour of duty also received their Peacekeepers Medal awarded by the Irish Government.
This medal was first awarded to all personnel who served overseas in 1988 as UN Peacekeepers had been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
KFOR's Multinational Task Force Centre's commander, Irish Brigadier General Gerry Hegarty, presented medals to the soldiers along with the visiting Brigadier General Pat Hayes (General Officer Commanding 1 Southern Brigade) at Camp Clarke on St Patrick's Day.
