An Cosantóir

38 | Darren Mahoney 103 Sqn, No 1 Ops Wing Corporal I work as an aircraft maintenance engineer (AME) in No 1 Ops Wing. I enlisted in 1994 and underwent a four-year aircraft maintenance apprenticeship in the then Air Corps Apprentice School, Training Wing (now called the Technical Training School, Air Corps College). No 1 Ops Wing is a 24/7, 365-days-a-year unit. We operate a wide variety of aircraft for a wide range of diverse operations including air ambulance, ministerial transport, Garda air support, and maritime patrol, just to name a few. My squadron, 103 Sqn, is responsible for the first and second-line maintenance of the Grumman G1159C Gulfstream IV (G4), Gates Learjet 45, CASA CN-235, Britten-Norman Defender 4000, and the Cessna 172. I have done in-house G4 and CASA courses, and a manufacturer���s course on the Learjet and the Defender. First-line maintenance generally consists of day-to-day things, like checking oil levels, changing wheels, and dealing with any small snags that come in on an aircraft. Second-line maintenance involves heavier work, which would include component changes, engine changes, or big inspections (100hr, 200hr, 500hr) and so on depending on the aircraft. As an NCO I am normally leader of a crew of several airman AMEs for whom I assign tasks and supervise on inspections and day-to-day maintenance. However, at the moment I am detached to the Air Corps Military Training School (MTS). Regardless of unit, all NCOs are rotated to the MTS to instruct on recruit, three-star, or NCO courses. At the moment we have 20 AME recruits and I���m really enjoying the job. It���s a big change from the hangers. In civilian life my passion is martial arts. I���m a 4th degree black belt in Kenpo karate, which is a modern, dynamic, self-defence based martial art, and I run my own club in Portlaoise. In 2011, I completed the Defence Forces Unarmed Combat Instructors course. This was an excellent course, during which I learned a lot. Having to disarm someone with a Steyr was something I never had to think about before. Since then I have gone on to join and train with the Defence Forces Judo club and the Mixed Martial Arts club. These are great clubs, allowing you to learn more skills. All of these combined allow me to bring an extra skill to the MTS and the Air Corps, as I am available if any course requires an unarmed combat training element. For me the Air Corps is a great place to work. We provide vital services to the state and the work is very rewarding. ���We provide vital services to the state and the work is very rewarding��� An Cosant��ir April 2013 www.dfmagazine.ie

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