EARLIER THIS WEEK, an Irish mission of Army Rangers evacuated 26 Irish people from Afghanistan. 

The Irish mission included the Army Rangers and two diplomats – an Emergency Consular Assistance Team (ECAT).

The Army Ranger Wing is a unit within the Defence Forces. Its roles are divided into conventional warfare roles and specialist anti-terror roles.

Prior to the 26 Irish people evacuated, a previous 10 had already exited.

Today, other Irish people evacuated from Afghanistan are currently travelling home with the French and Finnish militaries. 

The Defence Forces has provided photographs of the Irish mission earlier this week:

The Army Rangers Wing disembarks from the French Air Force A400M Defence Forces Defence Forces

The team 30 seconds before landing at Kabul Defence Forces Defence Forces

Final checks being carried out Defence Forces Defence Forces

CASA takes off from Baldonnel with the ECAT team onboard Defence Forces Defence Forces

Mission preparations at Baldonnel Defence Forces Defence Forces

A member of the team packing the kit for the journey Defence Forces Defence Forces

PC 12 on the tarmac at Baldonnel Defence Forces Defence Forces