Jump to content

Irish Air Corps: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
Summarise/clarify recent changes
Smolik (talk | contribs)
99 edits
mNo edit summary
Line 69: Line 69:


[[File:Irish Air Corps non-military aircraft.JPG|thumb|Overflight by IAC non-combat aircraft]]
[[File:Irish Air Corps non-military aircraft.JPG|thumb|Overflight by IAC non-combat aircraft]]
⚫
[[File:Irish Eurocopter (EC-135).JPG|thumb|IAC [[Eurocopter EC 135]] P2]]
⚫
[[File:Irish Air Corps, City of Derry Air Show, May 1996 (03).jpg|thumb|right|Irish Air Corps [[CASA CN-235]]]]
⚫
[[File:Irish Air Corps Fly-by.JPG|thumb|Formation flight of IAC [[Pilatus PC-9]]M ]]
⚫
[[File:Sa316b 212 3opswg.jpg|thumb|IAC [[Aérospatiale Alouette III]]. In use 1963 to 2007.]]



====Expansion====
====Expansion====
Line 74: Line 79:


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 They were withdrawn from service in 1998 and not replaced, leaving the Irish Air Corps without any jet combat aircraft.
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 They were withdrawn from service in 1998 and not replaced, leaving the Irish Air Corps without any jet combat aircraft.
⚫
[[File:Irish Eurocopter (EC-135).JPG|thumb|IAC [[Eurocopter EC 135]] P2]]
⚫
[[File:Irish Air Corps, City of Derry Air Show, May 1996 (03).jpg|thumb|right|Irish Air Corps [[CASA CN-235]]]]
⚫
[[File:Irish Air Corps Fly-by.JPG|thumb|Formation flight of IAC [[Pilatus PC-9]]M ]]


In 1977 ten SIAI-Marchetti SF.260WE Warriors were delivered for light training and ground attack roles. Four have been lost in crashes. In 1986 five SA 365Fi Dauphin II were acquired for the SAR role. Two of these were modified for operation from the Naval Service Helicopter Patrol vessel [[LÉ Eithne (P31)|LÉ Eithne]], and equipped with crashproof fuel tanks and harpoon deck arrestor gear.
In 1977 ten SIAI-Marchetti SF.260WE Warriors were delivered for light training and ground attack roles. Four have been lost in crashes. In 1986 five SA 365Fi Dauphin II were acquired for the SAR role. Two of these were modified for operation from the Naval Service Helicopter Patrol vessel [[LÉ Eithne (P31)|LÉ Eithne]], and equipped with crashproof fuel tanks and harpoon deck arrestor gear.
Line 95: Line 97:


=== Recent equipment retirements ===
=== Recent equipment retirements ===
⚫
[[File:Sa316b 212 3opswg.jpg|thumb|IAC [[Aérospatiale Alouette III]]. In use 1963 to 2007.]]
Replaced by the PC-9Ms, several [[Aermacchi SF.260|SF-260WE Marchetti Warriors]] (the previous fixed-wing mainstay of the Air Corps College) were sold to a private collector in the United States - though one example was retained for the IAC's museum collection. Several other aircraft (including four Dauphins and one Gazelle) have retired from service, struck off the IACs aircraft register and sold to foreign buyers.
Replaced by the PC-9Ms, several [[Aermacchi SF.260|SF-260WE Marchetti Warriors]] (the previous fixed-wing mainstay of the Air Corps College) were sold to a private collector in the United States - though one example was retained for the IAC's museum collection. Several other aircraft (including four Dauphins and one Gazelle) have retired from service, struck off the IACs aircraft register and sold to foreign buyers.


Revision as of 22:34, 20 December 2010

Irish Air Corps
Aer Chór na hÉireann
Emblem of the Irish Air Corps
Founded1924
CountryRepublic of Ireland
Size930 personnel
24 aircraft (+ 3 aircraft in support of An Garda Síochána)
Part ofIrish Defence Forces
Main airbaseCasement Aerodrome, Baldonnel
Motto(s)Forḟaire agus Tairiseaċt ("Watchful and Loyal")
Insignia
Current roundel
Previous roundels
(1922-1923) (1939-1954)
Aircraft flown
AttackPC-9M
PatrolCASA CN235-100MP Persuader
TrainerPC-9M
TransportCN-235
Gulfstream IV
Learjet 45
AW139
EC 135P2

The Irish Air Corps (Template:Lang-ga) is the air component of the Irish Defence Forces[1] (Irish: Óglaigh na hÉireann) providing support to the Army and Naval Service, together with non-military air services such as Search and Rescue and the Ministerial Air Transport Service. The principal airbase is Casement Aerodrome located at Baldonnel.[2]

History

Irish Air Service

During the Anglo-Irish Treaty talks of 1921, 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. The plane was not needed for this mission, and it became the first aircraft of the new Air Service arriving in June 1922.[3] By the end of 1922, the Air Service comprised ten aircraft (including six Bristol F2B fighters from the First World War), and about 400 men.

The Air Corps

Early years

With the establishment of the Defence Forces in 1924 the Air Service became the new Army's Air Corps and remained part of the Army until the 1990s.

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.

1955 Defence Forces image of IAC de Havilland Vampires

During World War II (or The Emergency) there are no records 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. The Hurricane gave the Air Corps a proven modern fighter, and - at peak - 20 flew in Irish colours.[3] 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.[4] In early 1963 the Corps took delivery of its first helicopters, SA.316B Alouette IIIs, of which seven remained in service at the start of the 21st century. During their operational lifetime, 3,300 people were assisted by the Alouette helicopters in their Search and Rescue and air ambulance roles.[citation needed]

During the mid-sixties and early seventies, the Corps played a part in expanding Ireland's film industry. Pilots and engineering staff participated in a 1965 box office success, The Blue Max. The fleet of World War One replicas, owned by ex-RCAF fighter pilot Lynn Garrison's "Blue Max Aviation", was based at Baldonnel - before being moved to Weston Aerodrome at Leixlip. Here the Corps continued its involvement, providing aircrew and engineering staff to support films such as Darling Lili, Von Richthofen and Brown, Zeppelin and a number of television commercials. Lynn Garrison was also responsible for coordinating the first demonstration of the Marchetti SF-260 Warrior at Baldonnel. As a result of this presentation the Corps acquired a number of Warriors.

Overflight by IAC non-combat aircraft
IAC Eurocopter EC 135 P2
Irish Air Corps CASA CN-235
Formation flight of IAC Pilatus PC-9M
File:Sa316b 212 3opswg.jpg
IAC Aérospatiale Alouette III. In use 1963 to 2007.


Expansion

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 combat aircraft.

In 1977 ten SIAI-Marchetti SF.260WE Warriors were delivered for light training and ground attack roles. Four have been lost in crashes. In 1986 five SA 365Fi Dauphin II were acquired for the SAR role. Two of these were modified for operation from the Naval Service Helicopter Patrol vessel LÉ Eithne, and equipped with crashproof fuel tanks and harpoon deck arrestor gear.

As part of Ireland's obligations to the European Union, the Irish Air Corps patrols 132,000 square miles (342,000 km²) of sea. The Air Corps previously employed two of three Beechcraft 200 Super King Airs for this duty. However, the Super King Airs used for Maritime patrol were disposed of in the 1990s, and the third was allocated to transport duties.[5][6] Two CASA C235-100 maritime patrol aircraft now undertake these patrols - and were upgraded in 2006/2007 by EADS CASA to the FITS Persuader standard with enhanced radar, forward looking infra red equipment and a new electronic and avionics suite.

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. A Grumman Gulfstream IV was later acquired, as was a Learjet 45.

In 2004 eight Pilatus PC-9M trainers were delivered to the Air Corps. The Pilatus aircraft were the first Air Corps aircraft to break with an IAC tradition of using consecutive tail-numbers. The General Officer Commanding started the new Pilatus tail-numbers in the 260 series - jumping from tail-number 258 (a Learjet 45) to 260 (the first Pilatus) - skipping tail-number 259. The Pilatus is the first Air Corps aircraft to have ejector seats since the Vampire.

Two Eurocopter EC 135P2 Light Utility Helicopters were delivered to the Irish Air Corps (IAC) in November 2005. The first of four AgustaWestland AW139s were handed over to the IAC at Agusta's facility in Milan in November 2006.[7] Two of the AW139 remained in Milan to provide training for Irish pilots before being flown to Ireland in December 2006. These helicopters are another first for the IAC as they are delivered with the capability to carry door mounted 7.62mm General Purpose Machine Guns.

On 12 October 2009 an Air Corps instructor, Captain Derek Furniss, and Cadet David Jevens were killed when their Pilatus PC-9 crashed during a training exercise in Connemara, County Galway.[8]

Aircraft

Current

Aircraft Origin Type Variant In service Notes
Maritime Patrol
Airbus C295 Spain Maritime patrol MSA 2[9][10] An additional C295W is on order for transport use.[11][9]
Reconnaissance
Pilatus PC-12 Switzerland Surveillance PC-12NG 3[9][10][12] Three 'SPECTRE' surveillance variants[13]
Transport
Learjet 45 United States Executive transport 1[10][14] To be replaced by a Dassault Falcon 6X which is on order for planned delivery in 2025.[15][16]
Pilatus PC-12 Switzerland Surveillance PC-12NG 1[9][10][12] One utility variant[17]
Helicopter
Eurocopter EC135 Germany Utility / trainer EC135 P2 2[10][18][9]
AgustaWestland AW139 Italy Utility 6[10][19][9]
Airbus H145 Germany Utility / trainer EC145M Four on order for delivery from 2027 to replace the EC135.[20]
Trainer
Pilatus PC-9 Switzerland Trainer / CAS PC-9M 8[10][21][9] One hull lost in 2009 was replaced in 2017[22]
Police air support
Britten-Norman Defender United Kingdom Police air support 4000 1[10][23] Flown for the Garda Air Support Unit (GASU)[24] Due to be replaced by a DHC-6 Twin Otter.[25][26]
Eurocopter EC135 Germany Police air support EC135 T2 2[10][27] Flown for the Garda Air Support Unit (GASU)[24]

Recent equipment retirements

Replaced by the PC-9Ms, several SF-260WE Marchetti Warriors (the previous fixed-wing mainstay of the Air Corps College) were sold to a private collector in the United States - though one example was retained for the IAC's museum collection. Several other aircraft (including four Dauphins and one Gazelle) have retired from service, struck off the IACs aircraft register and sold to foreign buyers.

The Sikorsky S-61N operated by the IAC for Search and Rescue/Coast Guard operations was returned to CHC Helicopter - who now operate the S-61N in the same Coast Guard SAR capacity. As part of this consolidation to a limited number of supported types, and following the exercise of two further options on AW139 Utility Helicopters, the previous army support fleet, the Alouette IIIs, were "stood down" at a ceremony at Casement aerodrome on September 21, 2007.

The Eurocopter Ecureuil helicopter of the Garda Air Support Unit was replaced by a second Eurocopter EC 135 in January 2008.

Capabilities

The Air Corps military roles and the functions it carries out are those of an army air corps rather than that of a conventional military air force. The Air Corps air space control and ground attack capacity is limited to low level and during clear weather. Helicopter troop transport is also limited but is now available 24 hours a day. The Air Corps non-military capabilities in aid to the civil power and other Government departments include Ministerial transport, fishery protection, limited maritime patrol, Garda support, search and rescue over both land and sea, and an air ambulance service. The Air Corps provides the State the capacity to meet any on going needs and should it be required the basis to expand.

Roles

Air Ambulance Service

The Air Corps provides an air ambulance service for emergency rapid transfer of patients between hospitals or to hospitals from offshore islands if the Coast Guard helicopters are not available. The service also transports emergency organ retrieval teams. The aircrfts used are the AW139, CASA and Learjet.

Maritime Patrol

The Air Corps operates two CASA CN235 Maritime Patrol aircraft in support of the fishery protection. These long-range aircraft patrol throughout the Irish exclusive fishery limits. The Cessna's and occasionally the EC135 and AW139 helicopters are used to monitor inshore fishing activities.

Ministerial Air Transport Service

The Air Corps provideds a Ministerial Air Transport Service (MATS) to assist An t-Úachtarán and members of the Government in official engagements at both home and abroad. The Gulfstream IV and Learjet 45 are used specifically for this purpose. The AW139 and occasionally the EC135 and CASA are also used for the MATS.

Ranks

The Air Corps' ranks are similar to those of the Irish Army. The strength is 850 all ranks.[2]

Officers

See also: Irish Air Corps Officer Ranks Insignia
File:Irish ab139a.jpg
IAC AgustaWestland AW139

Non-commissioned

See also: Irish Air Corps Other Ranks Insignia

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Irish Air Corps.

References

  1. ^ The Irish Defence Forces are made up of the Permanent Defence Forces (PDF or P.D.F) and the Reserve Defence Forces (RDF or R.D.F.). The Air Corps are part of the PDF.
  2. ^ a b - Official site of IAC
  3. ^ a b Military.ie/aircorps/history - History page on official IAC site
  4. ^ The Irish Air Corps/Aer Chór na hÉireann at Scramble
  5. ^ 102 Squadron operated one Beech King Air (#BB-672 with tail-number 240), but (as of 2010) it is out of service and hangared. Two previously operated aircraft (#BB-376 and #BB-208, with tail-numbers 232 and 234) were sold in 1991 and 1992 respectively. See IrishAirPics IAC register
  6. ^ Irish Air Corps website King Air page retrieved 2007-11-05.
  7. ^ Air Corps Fleet - Agusta Westland AW139
  8. ^ RTÉ News - Two pilots die in Air Corps crash - 13 October 2009
  9. ^ a b c d e f g Hoyle, Craig (2023). "World Air Forces 2024". FlightGlobal. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
  10. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Defence Forces - Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 1 May 2024". oireachtas.ie. Houses of the Oireachtas. 1 May 2024. Retrieved 19 December 2024.
  11. ^ "Third Airbus Defence C295 Confirmed for the Air Corps". flyinginireland.com. 12 March 2023. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
  12. ^ a b "Pilatus PC-12". military.ie. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
  13. ^ "Irish Air Corps New PC-12's Arrive in Baldonnel". flyinginireland.com. 2 April 2020. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
  14. ^ "Learjet 45". military.ie. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
  15. ^ "Tánaiste confirms contract award of new Strategic Reach Aircraft". gov.ie. 18 December 2024. Retrieved 18 December 2024.
  16. ^ "Government announces deal signed for new €53m French built Government Jet". thejournal.ie. 18 December 2024. Retrieved 18 December 2024.
  17. ^ "Air Corps to Take Delivery of Pilatus PC-12 Today". flyinginireland.com. 2 April 2020. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
  18. ^ "EC135 P2". military.ie. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
  19. ^ "AW139". military.ie. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
  20. ^ "Dept reaches deal to buy new helicopters, at a cost of over €90m". www.rte.ie. 30 December 2024. Retrieved 30 December 2024.
  21. ^ "Pilatus PC-9M". military.ie. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
  22. ^ "Air Corps receive new Pilatus PC-9M". flyinginireland.com. 17 July 2017. Retrieved 8 August 2024.
  23. ^ "PBN Defender". military.ie. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
  24. ^ a b "The Garda Air Support Unit". garda.ie. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
  25. ^ "Garda purchases sophicated surveillance aircraft from Canadian manufacturer". irishtimes.ie. 2024-08-03. Archived from the original on 2024-08-15. Retrieved 2024-08-05.
  26. ^ "De Havilland Canada's Twin Otter Guardian Aircraft Chosen for Enhanced Operational Capabilities". dehavilland.com. 2024-07-23. Retrieved 2024-08-05.
  27. ^ "EC135 T2". military.ie. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
  28. ^ New Deputy Chief of Staff (Operations) of the Defence Forces is appointed
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Irish_Air_Corps&oldid=403425904"