Huge security operation at Aiken Barracks
Goalposts were cut down to accomodate US Chinooks, writes Olivia Ryan
Planning for the arrival of an American President prompted a huge security operation to kick into gear at Aiken Barracks.
Forty eight hours before President Clinton’s historic speech in Market Square, a delegation of US Secret Service and Diplomatic staff arrived in Aiken Barracks to secure the football pitch as a landing zone for the Presidential helicopter and escorts.
‘Goal posts on the pitch were subsequently cut down to facilitate this,’ explained an Aiken Barracks spokesman.
‘Early that afternoon US Military helicopters began landing and taking off drills on the pitch, while 27th Battalion personnel provided armed security.’
The activity drew huge attention in the local area, with many locals gathering along the Coe’s Road to witness the spectacle!
‘Following the departure of the US Military helicopters the 27th Battalion provided round the clock security on the pitch until the expected arrival of President Clinton on Tuesday, December 15.’
‘ The President was due to land on
Aiken Barracks football pitch however due to bad weather he travelled to Dundalk by motorcade.’
He explained that late that afternoon five US Military helicopters landed on Aiken Barracks football pitch to await the departure of the President.
‘ The echelon of five helicopters were comprised of two US Marine Corps Blackhawks, one for the President, the other a decoy along with two US Army Chinooks and one US Air Force Super Stallion.’
Dundalk Fire Service also provided a fire watch from the adjoining Connolly Business Park.
‘While the helicopters were in situ, 27th Battalion personnel and members of the Fire Service had a chance to chat with the US Crews and marines.’
Aiken Barracks staff also provided food and refreshment for the assembled Gardaí and US Secret Service.
Following his address to a packed Dundalk, President Clinton’s motorcade made its way to the football pitch via the Coe’s Road for his departure.
‘Once all five helicopters had departed, the remaining US Marine Corps troops were invited to join us in the NCOs’ Mess which they readily accepted.’
‘ The Chief of US security detail praised and commended 27th Battalion on the professional manner in which they achieved their mission, and then Officer Commanding (OC) Lt
Col Dave Griffin received numerous reports on the performance of the unit including from one US ambassador.’
For An Garda Siochana, it was the biggest security operation they had ever launched, with upwards of 1,000 security personnel, including gardai and the Civil Defence and the President’s own protection team.
The Divisional Chief Supt. at the time was Supt, Mick Finnegan, who told the Argus: ‘It is a tremendous honour, the US President coming to Dundalk. It’s great to have to organise something like this which will do so much good for the town.’
Gardai were posted all along the route where the President was travelling, and two alternative routes were also mapped out in the event of any hitches.
Extra gardai were drafted in from across the Louth and Meath divisions, and from Carlow, Kildare, Laois Offaly, Longdord/
Westmeath and
Dublin division.
Gardai assisted in the painstaking security sweeps of the town ahead of the visit, joined by specially trained sniffer dogs.
Extensive precautions were taken, including ‘ dummy’ runs in both daylight, and after dark, of possible scenarios that could pose any threat to security.