Irish Air Corps
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Image:Irish Air Corps roundel.svg Image:Irish Eurocopter (EC-135).JPG Irish Air Corps (Aer Chór na hÉireann) provides the air defence function of Oglaigh na hÉireann (the Irish Defence Forces), in support of the Army and Naval Service, together with such other roles as may be assigned by the Government (e.g. Search and Rescue, Ministerial Air Transport Service). The principal airbase is Casement Aerodrome located at Baldonnel.
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[edit] History
[edit] Origins
The origin of the Air Corps goes back to the Anglo-Irish Treaty talks of 1921, when a Martinsyde Type A Mark II biplane was purchased and put on 24-hour standby at Croydon airport in order to allow Michael Collins to escape back to Ireland if the talks failed. In the event it was not needed for this mission, and it became the first Irish military aircraft, arriving in June 1922.
By the end of 1922 the Air Corps comprised ten aircraft (including 6 Bristol F2B fighters from the First World War), and about 400 men.
During the 1930s funds were not plentiful, but in 1938 four Gloster Gladiator biplane fighters were delivered -- a further eight were ordered but were embargoed by the outbreak of the Second World War, referred to in neutral Ireland as "The Emergency".
[edit] World War 2
During World War II (or The Emergency) there is no record of Air Corps planes engaging any belligerent aircraft, although dozens of escaped barrage balloons were shot down. 163 belligerent aircraft force-landed in Ireland during the war, and in this way the Air Corps acquired a Lockheed Hudson, a Fairey Battle, and three Hawker Hurricanes.
For a short time an order was given to Irish fighter pilots to use their aircraft to block the runways of airfields. They were then to use rifles and shoot at any invaders.
The Hurricane gave the Air Corps a proven modern fighter, and at one stage no fewer than 20 flew in Irish colours.
[edit] Post-war years
After the war, the Hurricanes were replaced by Supermarine Seafires and a few two-seat Spitfire trainers. The de Havilland Dove became the Corps' transport aircraft. The jet age arrived on 30 June 1956 when the Corps took delivery of a de Havilland Vampire T.55 trainer.
[edit] Expansion
In 1963 the Corps took delivery of its first helicopters, Alouette IIIs, of which seven remain in service at the start of the 21st century. In their time, 3,300 people have been assisted by these helicopters in their Search and Rescue and air ambulance roles.
In the mid-1970s the expansion of the Ministerial Air Transport Service (MATS) following Ireland's accession to the European Economic Community (now the European Union) led to the acquisition of the Corps' first business jet, a BAe 125-700.
In 1975 several Fouga Magister CM-170 jet aircraft were purchased secondhand from France. They were used for training, for the Light Strike Squadron and for the Silver Swallows display team. They were withdrawn from service in 1998 and not replaced, leaving the Irish Air Corps without any jet fighter aircraft.
[edit] Recent history
As part of its obligations to the European Union, Ireland is responsible for patrolling 132,000 square miles (342,000 km²) of sea. In order to do this, the Air Corps employed three Beech King Air turboprops, later replaced by two CASA CN-235 maritime patrol aircraft.
In its MATS role, following Ireland's assumption of the EU Presidency the Corps leased a Grumman Gulfstream III which in 1990 became the first Irish military aircraft to circumnavigate the world, conveying the Foreign Affairs Minister to Ottawa, Anchorage, Sapporo, Brunei, Kuching, Bombay, Dubai and Rome before returning home. In more recent times, a Grumman Gulfstream IV has been acquired, in addition to a LearJet 45.
[edit] Aircraft
Image:Irish Air Corps Fly-by.JPG
[edit] Current
The Air Corps' current fleet is as follows:
- 2AgustaWestland AW139
- 7 Aérospatiale Alouette 316Bs,
- 2 CASA CN-235s,
- 5 Cessna FR.172s,
- 1 Bombardier Learjet 45,
- 1 Gulfstream Aerospace G-IV,
- 1 Beechcraft Super King Air 200,
- 8 Pilatus PC-9Ms.
- 2 Eurocopter EC 135s
In addition, the Air Corps operates (on behalf of An Garda Siochana, the Irish National police Force)
On March 18th 2004 eight Pilatus PC-9M trainers were officially accepted by the Air Corps. On April 21st of that year the first three of the aircraft arrived. The Pilatus aircraft were the first Air Corps aircraft to break Air Corps tradition when the GOC (General Officer Commanding - a Brigadier General) decided to have the Pilatus tail numbers in the 260 series, when the most recent aircraft to be purchased (the Bombardier Learjet 45) had the tail number 258. This meant that the tail number 259 was skipped. The pilatus is the first Air Corps aircraft to have ejector seats since the Vampire.
[edit] Recently retired
The Air Corps SF-260WE Marchetti's have recently been sold to a private collector in the United States and are due to be prepared for transport shortly. Though one example of this type has been retained to be added to the IAC's museum collection. Several other aircraft (including four Dauphins and one Gazelle) have also recently been retired from service and officially have been struck off the IACs aircraft register and are currently in Casement Airodrome awaiting sale or transport.
[edit] On order
The Air Corps has four AgustaWestland AW139 Helicopters on order from Italy, with an option on a further two. First deliveries have already begun to the IAC with the first example having been handed over to the IAC at Agusta's facility in Milan were it will remain until November to provide traing for the first batch of Irish pilots, while the remainder will follow in early 2007. If the two options are exercised they will be delivered in late 2007 or early 2008. These helicopters will be another first for the IAC as they will be delivered with the capability to carry door mounted 7.62mm GPMG (General Purpose Machine Guns). Image:Irish ab139a.jpg
It was also revealed in 2006 that the IAC had signed a contract with EADS CASA to upgrade the two CN-235's to the FITS Persuader standard. This will greatly increase the aircraft's capability as they will be fitted with enhanced radars, forward looking infra red equipment and a new electronic and avionics suite. The upgrade is to start in 2007 at the rate of one aircraft at a time.
[edit] Ranks
The Air Corps' ranks are similar to those of the Irish Army. The current strength is 930 all ranks.
[edit] Officers
[edit] Non-commissioned
- Regimental Sergeant Major
- Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant
- Flight Sergeant
- Flight Quartermaster Sergeant
- Sergeant
- Corporal
- Airman 3 Star
- Airman 2 Star
[edit] See also
- List of Ireland-related topics
- Politics of the Republic of Ireland
- History of Ireland
- List of aircraft of the Irish Air Corps
- Irish Defence Forces
