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Irish Air Corps

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Air Corps
An tAerchór
Badge of the Air Corps
Founded1924; 100 years ago (1924)
Country Ireland
AllegianceIreland
TypeAir force
RoleAerial warfare
Size689 active personnel (Establishment: 866) (December 2023)[1]
23 aircraft (+ 3 aircraft in support of the Garda Síochána)
Part ofIrish Defence Forces
HeadquartersCasement Aerodrome, Baldonnel
Motto(s)Irish: Forḟaire agus Tairiseaċt
"Watchful and Loyal"
WebsiteAir Corps – Defence Forces
Commanders
General Officer CommandingBrigadier General Rory O'Connor[2]
Insignia
Roundel
Fin flash
Colours
Aircraft flown
HelicopterAW139, EC 135P2/T2
PatrolAirbus C295
ReconnaissancePilatus PC-12, Britten-Norman Defender
TrainerPC-9M
TransportLearjet 45

The Air Corps (Irish: An tAerchór) is the air force of Ireland. Organisationally a military branch of the Defence Forces of Ireland, the Air Corps utilises a fleet of fixed-wing aircraft and rotorcraft to carry out a variety of duties in conjunction with the Irish Army, Irish Naval Service and Garda Síochána. The headquarters of the Air Corps is located at the Casement Aerodrome in Baldonnel, Dublin. The Air Corps has an active establishment of 886 personnel. Like other components of the Defence Forces, it has struggled to maintain strength and as of December 2023 has only 689 active personnel.[1] Unlike the Army or the Naval Service, the Air Corps does not maintain a reserve component.[a]

History

[edit]

National Army Air Service

[edit]
Former roundel of the Irish Air Corps

The National Army Air Service was independent Ireland's first air force. 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 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 National Army Air Service arriving in June 1922.[3] The National Army Air Service was established in July 1922 and was gradually equipped with various aircraft types acquired from the Royal Air Force (RAF) and the Aircraft Disposal Company. This company had been formed in 1919 to dispose of surplus aircraft and aero-engines from World War I for the British government.[4] By the end of 1922, the National Army Air Service comprised ten aircraft, consisting of six Bristol F2B fighters from the First World War and four Martinsyde F4 Fighters, and about 400 men. Its successor, the Irish Army Air Corps was established in 1924 following a re-organisation of the National Army at the end of the Civil War.[4]

The Air Corps

[edit]

Early years

[edit]

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 World War II. Other aircraft purchased from the United Kingdom before the outbreak of war included 16 Avro Anson Mark I maritime patrol bombers, 3 Supermarine Walrus amphibians, 6 Westland Lysander Mark II army co-operation aircraft and a number of trainers.

Irish Air Corps Avro Anson C.19, operated from 1946 until 1962
de Havilland Vampire T-11 trainers of the Irish Air Corps in 1955

World War II (The Emergency)

[edit]

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. Requests for more aircraft from Britain resulted in 13 obsolete Hawker Hector biplane light bombers being supplied during 1941. Twelve Hawker Hurricane Mk. Is were initially ordered for the Irish Army Air Corps in 1940 but were not delivered due to a wartime embargo imposed by the British government. Eleven Hurricane Mk. Is were eventually delivered to the Air Corps, from surplus RAF stocks, between July 1943 and March 1944, and the Hurricane Mk. I (no.93), that crash-landed in County Wexford in 1940, was the twelfth aircraft. These were supplemented by 6 Hawker Hurricane Mk. IIcs that were delivered to the Irish Army Air Corps in March 1945, to eventually replace the Hurricane Mk. Is of No. 1 Fighter Squadron. Supplied from surplus RAF stocks, the Hurricane Mk. IIcs were the last batch of aircraft to be delivered to the Air Corps before the end of World War II. The Hurricanes were the first monoplane fighter aircraft to enter service with the Air Corps and were also the first aircraft capable of reaching 300 m.p.h. in level flight. The Hurricane gave the Air Corps a proven modern fighter, and – at peak – 20 flew in Irish colours.[3] 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 Cold War

[edit]

After the Emergency, the Hurricanes were replaced by Supermarine Seafires and a few two-seat Spitfire trainers.
The jet age arrived on 30 July 1956 when the Corps took delivery of three de Havilland Vampire T.55 trainers, followed by three more in 1960 who served as advanced trainers and fighters.[5][6]
The Vampires were replaced by six Fouga CM.170 Magister jet trainers that were purchased secondhand from the French Air Force and delivered from 1975 to 1976.[7][8] The Magisters were used for jet training, by the Light Strike Squadron and for aerobatics by the Silver Swallows display team that was formed in 1986.[9][10] The Magisters were occasionally used to escort VIP aircraft.[11] The Magister could be equipped with two 7.62mm machine guns in the nose and fourteeen 68mm rockets on its underwing hardpoints.[11][12]

Irish Air Corps pilots filming Roger Corman's Richthofen & Brown, 1970. Lynn Garrison second from right, front row

De Havilland Chipmunk T.20s were introduced in the 1950s and used as basic flight trainers until 1976. Hunting Percival Provost T.51 and T.53s were also introduced in the 1950s as advanced flight trainers, serving until 1976.
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 I replicas, owned by ex-RCAF fighter pilot Lynn Garrison's "Blue Max Aviation", was based at Casement Aerodrome in 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.[13]
As a result of this presentation, in 1977 the Corps acquired ten SIAI-Marchetti SF.260W Warriors for basic and advanced training and light ground attack. Four were lost in accidents, and one attrition replacement was acquired in 1979.[14]

Three Avro Anson C.19s were delivered in 1946 for radio and navigation training, air-to-ground photography, and transport, and were replaced by four de Havilland Doves which arrived in 1953, 1959, 1962, and 1970, which were also used for calibration of radar and landing aids at Dublin and Shannon airports.

The troubles in Northern Ireland required additional reconnaissance resources, and in 1972 eight Reims-Cessna FR.172H joined the Air Corps to provide patrolling, aerial surveillance, and aerial communications. One Reims-Cessna FR.172K was delivered in 1981 as an attrition replacement.[15] The Cessnas served with No 2 Support Wing, operating from Gormanstown until the airfield's closure in 2002.[16]

Ireland's accession to the European Economic Community in 1973 which necessitated frequent travel to European capitals for government ministers led to the creation of the Ministerial Air Transport Service (MATS) and the acquisition of the Corps' first business jet, a BAe 125-700 (#238), which served until 1992.[17] This was joined in 1980 by a Beechcraft Super King Air 200 (#240), which also provided multi-engine training.[18]

Ireland's accession to the EEC also necessitated sustained maritime patrolling of 342,000 km2 (132,000 square miles) of ocean. Two Beechcraft Super King Air 200s (#232 and #234) were delivered in 1977-8 to perform this duty.

The bad winter of 1962/3 incentivised the acquisition of helicopers and in November 1963, the Air Corps took delivery of its first three helicopters, SA.316B Alouette IIIs, followed by five more in 1972-3. The Alouettes performed search and rescue, troop transport and air ambulance duties.[19] Two Aérospatiale SA342L Gazelle entered service in 1979 to provide helicopter training.[20]
The single engine of the Alouette limited its search and rescue range over water, and in 1986 five twin-engined Aérospatiale SA365Fi 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 arrester gear.[21][22][23]

Into the 21st century

[edit]
Irish Air Corps retired Fouga CM.170 Magister, operated from 1975 until 1999

In November 1998, the Air Corps had two Fouga Magisters in service.[24] Two of the six Magisters were to be retired in 1997 and a further two in 1998.[25][26] In early 1999, the Magisters were withdrawn from service.[27][28] Leaving the Air Corps without any jet combat aircraft.[28][29] In 1998, a review of the Air Corps conducted by Price Waterhouse for the Irish government recommended replacing the Fougas and Marchettis by eight light strike/trainer aircraft.[30][31]

In 2004, eight Pilatus PC-9M trainers were delivered to the Air Corps to replace the Marchettis and Magisters.[32][33][34] The PC-9M is the first Air Corps aircraft to have ejection seats since the Vampire. The PC-9M has six underwing hardpoints, and is normally equipped with two FN HMP250 gun pods, each carrying one M3P machine gun, and two FN LAU-7 rocket pods, each carrying seven 70mm Folding-Fin Aerial Rockets, in the close air support role.[35]
One of the retired Marchettis was kept for the Air Corps Museum, while the remaining six were sold to a private reseller in the United States.[36]
On 12 October 2009, Air Corps instructor Captain Derek Furniss, and Cadet David Jevens were tragically killed when their PC-9M (#265) crashed during a training exercise in Connemara, County Galway.[37][38]
In 2017, an attrition replacement (#269) was delivered.[39]

To support Ireland's assumption of the EU Presidency in 1990, the Corps leased a Grumman Gulfstream III (#249) – which in 1990 became the first Irish military aircraft to circumnavigate the world.[40] The success of Gulfstream III as an ambassador for Ireland led to its replacement in 1992 by a Grumman Gulfstream IV (#251) which also replaced the HS.125.[41]
Ireland again assumed the EU Presidency in 1994, and the Air Corps acquired a Learjet 45XR (#258) to supplement the government's ministerial travel requirements.[42]

Irish Air Corps retired Gulfstream IV, which was used as VIP transport

The Ministerial Air Transport Service has since declined in use and size as government ministers are reluctant to travel in perceived luxury when adequate commercial air travel is available, and after repeated criticisms of government ministers using Air Corps aircraft for domestic travel.[43] The repeated technical problems to the MATS aircraft has led to their gradual withdrawal from service, with the Beechcraft the first to be retired in 2009.[44][45]
The Gulfstream IV followed in 2014 after corrosion was detected in the undercarriage which required substantial costs to repair.[46][47][48] The Learjet has continued in service, albeit with increasing unreliability, and (as of 2023) was due to be replaced by 2024.[49][50]

Irish Air Corps CASA CN-235, retired in 2024

The two maritime patrol Beechcraft were unsuitable for flying in long periods in a salty atmosphere and were replaced by two CASA CN235-100MP Persuader which arrived in 1994.[51] These were upgraded in 2006/2007 by EADS CASA to the FITS Persuader standard with enhanced radar, forward looking infrared equipment and a new electronic and avionics suite.

In the 1990s the Air Corps gained a new role with the formation of the Garda Air Support Unit (GASU) in 1997. The unit was initially equipped with one Britten-Norman Defender 4000 (#254),[52] and one Eurocopter AS.355N Ecureil (#255).[53] Operational control of the aircraft remains with the Department of Justice, Equality, and Law Reform, while the Air Corps provide pilots and technicians to fly and maintain the aircraft. The AS.355N was supplemented by a Eurocopter EC135 T2 (#256) in 2003, and replaced by a second EC135 T2 (#272) which arrived in January 2008.

During the 1990s and 2000s, the Air Corps gradually lost its search and rescue (SAR) role. In 1990, an inquiry chaired by retired Garda Commissioner Eamonn Doherty into Ireland's air sea rescue recommended transferring this service from the Air Corps to a new emergency service, and the stationing of rescue helicopters at regional airports instead of a centralised service.[54] The government accepted the recommendations and established the Irish Marine Emergency Service (IMES), now the Irish Coast Guard in 1991. Irish Helicopters operated the first privatised SAR helicopter, a Sikorsky S-61N, from Shannon in 1991. This service was later taken over by Bond Helicopters (now CHC Helicopter) in 1997 who also won the Dublin contract in 1999.
On 2 July 1999, Captains Dave O'Flaherty and Mick Baker, Sergeant Pat Mooney and Corporal Niall Byrne were tragically killed when their Dauphin (#248) crashed into sand dunes at Tramore Beach, County Waterford.[55][56] The crash only emphasised the limits of the Air Corps SAR helicopters, as the Alouette was only available during daylight hours and the Dauphin was small and had a short range. Both needed replacement by medium sized helicopters.[57][58]
In 2002, CHC took over the Waterford SAR contract, leaving the Air Corps with only the north-east contract. While a S-61 was leased to train crews, pending a tender to purchase up to five medium helicopters, two of which would be SAR helicopters, the contract was cancelled and CHC took over the north-east contract based in Sligo, leaving the Air Corps without a SAR role.[59][60]

Despite the cancellation of the order for five S-92s and the loss of the SAR role, the aging Alouettes, Gazelles and Dauphins still needed replacement. In 2004 the government ordered two Eurocopter EC135P2 light helicopters for training, air ambulance, and general utility, and four AgustaWestland AW139 medium helicopters for troop transport, air ambulance, and VIP transport.[61][62] The Gazelles were retired in 2005 and replaced in November by two EC135 P2.[63]
The Dauphins were retired in 2006, followed by the Alouettes in 2007. During their operational lifetime, 3,300 people were assisted by the Alouette helicopters in their Search and Rescue and air ambulance roles.[64] The four AW139 arrived during 2006/7, and the option for an additional two was exercised and arrived in 2008.[65][66][67][68] Since 2012, one of the AW139 has operated an air ambulance service from Custume Barracks, Athlone for the Emergency Aeromedical Service.[69][70]

On 4 October 2019, after 47 years of service to the state, the five remaining Reims/Cessna FR172H Rocket aircraft were retired from service after amassing 63,578 flight hours total.[71] The Cessnas were replaced with several Pilatus PC-12NG aircraft during 2020.[72] The first PC-12NG utility transport variant was delivered in April 2020,[73] followed by three PC-12NG 'Spectre' aerial surveillance variants in September 2020.[74][75]

During the 2011 Libyan civil war, the Air Corps was tasked with evacuating approximately forty Irish citizens from the troubled country. The operation involved two Air Corps aircraft (the Learjet and one CN-235), and nine personnel, using Malta as a temporary base.[76][77][78]

There was much criticism of Ireland's inability to rescue its own citizens in the 2021 Kabul and 2023 Sudan evacuations due to Ireland's lack of a long-range, heavy-lift aircraft. In August 2021, Ireland has to ask France and Finland to rescue 36 Irish citizens from Kabul.[79][80][81]
In April 2023, over 90 Irish citizens were evacuated from Sudan by aircraft from France, Spain and the UK.[82][83]

2022 Commission on the Defence Forces

[edit]

In February 2022, the Commission on the Defence Forces published a report. For the Air Corps, the report recommended that the service be renamed to the Irish Air Force and advocated for the establishment of a Chief of the Air Force.[84] The Air Corps would change from being "an effective sub branch of the army" to having a "stand-alone command and decision-making structure".[85] The report also recommended three levels of ambition (LOAs) with each level having different recommendations. LOA 1 proposes to maintain the current size of the Air Corps, while bringing active personnel numbers back up to the current establishment.[86]

LOA 2 recommends the development of additional capabilities, including:

  • 2 additional medium helicopters – 8 Medium Helicopters to eventually be replaced with 8 super-medium helicopters
  • Primary radar – establish a Recognised Air Picture (RAP)
  • Strategic reach aircraft – transport and airlift for overseas deployments
  • Counter UAV – Anti-drone/UAV capability
  • Air Corps Reserve – recruitment of specialist roles (technicians, trained pilots, air traffic controllers)

LOA 3 recommends a further development of Air Corps combat capabilities, including:

  • Jet combat aircraft – Air combat/intercept capability
  • Troop carrier aircraft – Overseas deployment of personnel
  • Armed CSAR helicopters – Organic intra-theatre deployments

Under LOA 3, the new Air Force would also be capable of deploying combat pilots, aircraft and support personnel overseas. LOA 2 recommends a budget of €1.5 billion with LOA 3 recommending a budget of €2,967 billion. The commission compared Ireland to other nations of similar GDP and population size, and determined these budgetary increases would be commensurate with those nations.[87]

As of 2023, the then Irish government had committed to implementing LOA 2 by 2028.[88]

Organisation

[edit]

The Irish Air Corps is the air branch of the Irish Defence Forces. Headed up by Brigadier General Rory O'Connor, General Officer Commanding,[2] Air Corps (GOCAC), the Air Corps comprises a staff headquarters, two air wings, two ground support wings, one independent squadron and the Air Corps College. The Air Corps' principal base of operations is out of Casement Aerodrome in Dublin.

Brigadier General Seán Clancy was General Officer Commanding of the Air Corps from 2017 to 2019.

Air Corps Headquarters

[edit]
  • Office of General Officer Commanding
  • Operations Section
  • Support Section
  • Military Airworthiness Authority
  • Flight Safety Section
  • Military Police Section

No 1 Operations Wing

[edit]

1 Operations Wing is the main formation responsible for operational fixed-wing flying.[89] This is sub-divided into four individual flying squadrons and two non-flying squadrons, each of which has a dedicated role:

  • 101 Squadron – Maritime Surveillance and Airlift
  • 102 Squadron – Ministerial Transport
  • 103 Squadron – Engineering
  • 104 Squadron – Army Co-op
  • 105 Squadron – Defence Forces Photographic Section

No 3 Operations Wing

[edit]

3 Operations Wing is the formation responsible for operational rotary wing flying,[90] and is divided into three flying squadrons and one non-flying squadron. It provides pilots for the Emergency Aeromedical Service, the air ambulance service which is jointly operated by the Air Corps and the HSE National Ambulance Service.

  • 301 Tactical Helicopter Squadron
  • 302 Training and Surveillance Squadron
  • 303 Maintenance and Deployment Squadron
  • 304 Garda Air Support Squadron

No 4 Support Wing

[edit]

4 Support Wing is primarily concerned with second-line aircraft maintenance (front line maintenance is done by the engineering squadrons in each operational wing).[91] This formation has two squadrons.

  • 401 Squadron – Mechanical support
  • 402 Squadron – Avionics support

No 5 Support Wing

[edit]

5 Support Wing is responsible for logistic support for the Air Corps.[92]

  • 502 Squadron – Logistic support
  • 503 Squadron – Transport
  • 504 Squadron – Medical services
  • 505 Squadron – Air Traffic Control
  • 506 Squadron – Fire Fighting

Communication & Information Services Squadron

[edit]
See also: Communications & Information Services Corps

Communication & Information Services Squadron (CIS) is responsible for the supply and maintenance of ground-based communications, navigation, radar and IT systems for the Air Corps. The CIS Squadron comprises a headquarters and four flights.[93]

  • Squadron HQ
  • Airfield Services Flight
  • Communications Flight
  • Technical Services Flight
  • Information Technology Flight

Air Corps College

[edit]
Main article: Air Corps College (Ireland)

The Air Corps College is the principal training unit of the Irish Air Corps, where all entrants into the service undertake their training. The college is divided into three distinct schools:[94]

  • Flying Training School (FTS) – The FTS has primary responsibility both for flying training, for which it is equipped with a squadron of Pilatus PC-9 fixed-wing aircraft, as well as officer training.
  • Technical Training School (TTS) – The TTS undertakes technical training for those who will become aircraft technicians.
  • Military Training and Survival School (MTSS) – The MTSS is responsible for the basic military training of all new recruits, as well as career progression training.

Aircraft

[edit]
See also: List of aircraft of the Irish Air Corps

Current inventory

[edit]
Aircraft Origin Type Variant In service Notes
Maritime Patrol
CASA C-295 Spain maritime patrol MSA 2[95][96]
Reconnaissance
Britten-Norman Defender United Kingdom police air support 4000 1[95][96][52] Flown for the Garda Air Support Unit (GASU)[97]
DHC-6 Twin Otter Canada police air support Guardian 400 One on order for the Garda Air Support Unit (GASU) to replace the Britten-Norman Defender.[98][99]
Pilatus PC-12 Switzerland surveillance PC-12NG 4[95][96][100] Three 'SPECTRE' surveillance variants[101], and one utility variant[102]
Transport
CASA C-295 Spain transport One on order[103][95]
Learjet 45 United States executive transport 1[96][104] Tender for replacement issued in late 2023.[105]
Falcon 6X France executive transport One on order for delivery in 2025 to replace the Learjet 45.[106][107]
Helicopter
AgustaWestland AW139 Italy utility 6[96][65][95]
Eurocopter EC135 Germany utility / trainer EC135 P2 2[96][63][95]
Eurocopter EC135 Germany police air support EC135 T2 2[96][108] Flown for the Garda Air Support Unit (GASU)[97]
Trainer
Pilatus PC-9 Switzerland trainer / CAS PC-9M 8[96][32][95] One hull lost in 2009 was replaced in 2017[39]

Aircraft orders

[edit]

In December 2022, an order was placed for an additional Airbus C295,[103][109] to be used for cargo and personnel transport, including overseas operations, special operations forces support and medical evacuations. This planned purchase aligns with a recommendation for fixed wing strategic-reach capability as indicated under LOA 2 of the Commission on the Defence Forces report.[110] As of June 2023, it was expected to be delivered in 2025.[109][111]

Irish Air Corps AgustaWestland AW139

In January 2023, the Irish government announced funding of €21.5 million for a replacement helicopter and fixed wing plane for the Garda Air Support Unit (GASU).[112][113] The new helicopter is intended to have a longer range and higher capacity utility. In July 2024, a DHC-6 Twin Otter was ordered as a replacement for the Britten-Norman Defender.[98][99]

In February 2023, the government agreed to replace the Learjet 45, which has been in service since 2004, has becoming increasingly unreliable and unable to fly long distances. The replacement jet is expected to seat ten passengers and be capable of long distance travel to assist in overseas evacuation of Irish citizens, medical transport as well as ministerial air transport.[114][115] The tender was listed in November 2023.[105] In December 2024, the government announced that it had ordered a Dassault Falcon 6X, known as the Strategic Reach Aircraft, which is due be delivered in December 2025 and available ahead of Ireland's EU Presidency in the second half of 2026.[106][116]

Weapons

[edit]
Name Origin Type Variant Image Notes
Small arms
Heckler & Koch USP Germany Semi-automatic pistol Standard service pistol[117]
Steyr AUG Austria Assault rifle Standard service rifle since 1989[118]
Machine guns & Rockets
FN MAG Belgium General-purpose machine gun FN MAG 58M Can be mounted on the AgustaWestland AW139 helicopter
M2 Browning United States Heavy machine gun M3P Can be mounted in a wing pod on a Pilatus PC-9M for Close Air Support role[119]
Rocket pods Belgium Unguided rockets LAU 7 Can be mounted under the wing of a Pilatus PC-9M for Close Air Support role[119]

Future

[edit]
Pilatus PC-9M trainers in formation. The closer aircraft is carrying underwing machine gun and rocket pods which are used in the ground attack role.

The Irish Air Corps lacks primary radar to detect aircraft in Irish controlled airspace who have switched off their transponders, like hijacked aircraft and incursions by Russian military aircraft.[120][121] The 2015 White Paper on Defence stated that, if additional funding became available, the acquisition of a radar surveillance capability for the Air Corps would be a priority.[122][123] The White Paper on Defence Update 2019 reported that no additional funding had been provided.[124][123] In February 2022, the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces (CoDF) recommended acquiring primary radar under Level of Ambition (LOA) 2.[125] In September 2022, The Irish Times reported that it would cost over €100 million to procure primary radar.[126] In November 2023, the Detailed Implementation Plan for the Report of the Commission of the Defence Forces (DIP-CoDF) stated that the recommendation to develop a primary radar was planned to be completed by 2028.[127]

The 2022 CoDF recommended under LOA 2 that eight super‐medium helicopters should be acquired when the existing fleet of medium-lift helicopters is due to be replaced.[110] The 2023 DIP-CoDF stated that the acquisition could be completed by 2028.[128]

Since the retirement of the Magister in 1999, Ireland has lacked an air intercept capability.[28][29][129] However, since 1952 Ireland has had a secret agreement with the UK to allow the Royal Air Force to respond to incursions into Irish airspace.[130][131] The 2015 White Paper on Defence stated the White Paper update would consider a more capable air combat/intercept capability than the PC-9s.[132] The 2019 Update to the White Paper on Defence reported that the project had not commenced.[133] The 2022 CoDF recommended acquiring a squadron of jet combat aircraft under LOA 3.[134] This would increase Ireland's air defence capabilities to a level comparable to similar sized countries in Europe.[135] The 2023 DIP-CoDF stated that the recommendation would be considered by government in 2028.[136]

The Pilatus PC-9s are due to reach their 20-year service life in 2025,[137] however as of 2023 no tender for a replacement aircraft had been announced.[138][139]

Roles

[edit]

The roles and functions of the Air Corps are more akin to an army air corps rather than a conventional air force. The Air Corps has no air intercept capability, and very limited low-level ground attack capacity. The Air Corps can provide a day/night tactical helicopter troop transport, but without armed helicopter escort support. The Air Corps non-military capabilities in aid to the civil power and other Government departments include ministerial transport, maritime patrol, police support, search and rescue support, air ambulance, aerial firefighting, and aerial surveillance, observation and photography.[140]

An Air Corps AgustaWestland AW139

Air Ambulance

[edit]

The Air Corps provides an air ambulance service for emergency rapid transfer of patients between hospitals, to hospitals from offshore islands, transferring patients for treatment overseas, and transporting emergency organ retrieval teams. The aircraft used are the AW139, EC135, C-295 and Learjet.

An Air Corps AW139 also provides an Emergency Aeromedical Service for the National Ambulance Service based out of Custume Barracks in Athlone, providing an emergency patient airlift service from scenes of accidents to hospitals.[141][142]

Maritime Patrol

[edit]

The Air Corps operates two CASA C-295 long-range maritime patrol aircraft in support of fishery protection, marine surveillance, and search and rescue.[95]

Ministerial Air Transport Service

[edit]

The Air Corps provides a Ministerial Air Transport Service (MATS) for the President and members of the Government in official engagements abroad. The Learjet 45 is used specifically for this purpose, with the AW139, EC135 and CASA occasionally used.

EC135 T2

Garda Air Support

[edit]

The Garda Air Support Unit (GASU) provides specialist air support for the Garda Síochána, Ireland's national police force. The Air Corps provides three aircraft, two Eurocopter EC135 T2 helicopters and a Britten-Norman Defender, as well as pilots and aircraft technicians to the GASU, while the Department of Justice retains operational control of the aircraft.[143]

Ranks

[edit]
Main article: Irish Defence Forces rank insignia

The Air Corps' ranks are similar to those of the Irish Army. As of April 2023, the strength was 711 all ranks.[1]

Officer insignia

[edit]
Rank group General / flag officers Senior officers Junior officers
 Irish Air Corps[144]
Lieutenant-general Major-general Brigadier-general Colonel Lieutenant-colonel Commandant Captain Lieutenant Second-lieutenant
Lefteanant-ghinearál Maor-ghinearál Briogáidire-ghinearál Cornal Lefteanant-chornal Ceannfort Captaen Lefteanant Dara-lefteanant
Abbreviation Lt Gen Maj Gen Brig Gen Col Lt Col Comdt Capt Lt 2nd Lt O-Cdt

Other rank insignia

[edit]
Rank group Senior NCOs Junior NCOs Enlisted
 Irish Air Corps[144]
 No insignia
Regimental sergeant major
Maor-sáirsint reisiminte 		Regimental quartermaster sergeant
Ceathrúsháirsint reisiminte 		Flight sergeant
Sáirsint eitleoige 		Flight quartermaster sergeant
Ceathrúsháirsint eitleoige 		Sergeant
Sáirsint 		Corporal
Ceannaire 		Airman 3 star
Eitleoir, 3 réalta 		Airman 2 Star
Eitleoir, 2 réalta 		Apprentice
Printíseach 		Recruit
Earcach
Abbreviation RSM RQMS FS FQMS Sgt Cpl Amn 3* Amn 2* App Rec/G1

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ The Defence Forces consists of two components: a regular force, the Permanent Defence Forces (PDF) and a reserve force, the Reserve Defence Forces (RDF); the Air Corps forms part of the PDF.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c "Defence Forces Strength (Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 January 2024)". Dáil Éireann Hansard. 23 January 2024. Retrieved 25 August 2023. As of the 31 December 2023, the strength of the Permanent Defence Force was 7,550 personnel of [sic] 6,136 Army personnel, 689 Air Corps personnel and 725 Naval Service personnel.
  2. ^ a b "General Officer Commanding (GOC) Air Corps". Defence Forces Ireland. Archived from the original on 14 April 2019. Retrieved 15 April 2019.
  3. ^ a b "History of the Air Corps". Defence Forces. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  4. ^ a b "Aircraft of the Irish Air Service, Irish Army Air Corps And Irish Air Corps, 1922–2007" (PDF). International Plastic Modellers' Society Ireland. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  5. ^ "The Irish Air Corps/Aer Chór na hÉireann at Scramble (magazine)". Scramble Magazine. Archived from the original on 22 April 2007.
  6. ^ "Vampire In Foreign Service". airvectors.net. 1 November 2023. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
  7. ^ Oram, Hugh (16 December 1997). "Many hues in a busy fleet". The Irish Times. p. A7.
  8. ^ Lavery, Don (17 September 1993). "Air Corps hit as jets are grounded". Irish Independent. p. 5.
  9. ^ "Fouga Magister jet CM.170R". Ulster Aviation Society.
  10. ^ "Ireland's top guns". The Nationalist. 8 August 1997. p. 6.
  11. ^ a b Power, Vincent (24 April 1991). "Hush-hush jets". Evening Echo. p. 11.
  12. ^ Lavery, Don (17 January 1998). "Silver Swallows have wings clipped...". Irish Independent. p. 5.
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