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The Defence Forces, spearheaded by Elite Army Ranger Wing (ARW) and supported by the Air Corps, completed a major Maritime Counter Terrorism exercise off the East Coast t the end of June. Conducted over a number of days and based in Dublin Port and on the Irish Sea, the exercise was designed to enhance the capacity of the Defence Forces to provide the State with a highly specialised maritime armed intervention capability. The exercise focussed on a scenario involving terrorist activity and large vessels entering Dublin Port, culminating in armed intervention by the ARW using a number of Air Corps AW139 helicopters an EC-135. The exercise was supported by the Naval Service who also conducted close quarter manoeuvres off the South West coast on 14th June which involved simulated Air attacks involving the Air Corps aircraft.