An Cosantóir

www.military.ie THE DEFENCE FORCES MAGAZINE | 35 equately covered so as not to prove hazardous. Of course, the fleet's roles were many and the aircraft built a strong reputation for reliability and operational capability. By the time the aircraft were reposted to Casement Aerodrome, follow- ing a structural reorganisation of the Air Corps in 2001, they had become well known around the country by military personnel and civilians alike. Unfortunately, however, the 172's career was not without its mis- haps, with four aircraft written off in separate accidents between 1978 and 2004. On 20 September 1978 aircraft 204 crashed into the Shannon Estuary while conducting a wildlife survey; both occu- pants survived with minor injuries. On 1 March 1990 aircraft 207 was forced to land in the sea off the coast of Gormanston following an engine failure. Luckily the crew were uninjured, but the aircraft suffered considerable salt-water corrosion, which proved uneconomical to repair. Aircraft 209 was written off following a hard landing in Finner Camp, Co Donegal, which resulted in extensive damage to the wing, undercarriage and propeller, on 10 November 1993. On 6 May 2004 aircraft 243, an attrition replacement, was lost in an accident at Clonbullogue airfield, Co Offaly, when the pilot, 2/Lt Raymond Heery, who had been conducting parachuting operations, lost control of the aircraft while taking off. The aircraft came down close to the runway, sadly resulting in the first and only fatality throughout the Reims Rock- ets' long career. Many pilots, air crew, technicians, air traffic con- trollers and various other support personnel will look back fondly on the memo- ries they have of operating the fleet, whether from Gormanston and Finner camps or Casement Aero- drome. The aircraft proved an excellent platform for pilot training and myriad operational roles throughout their lifetime. The official stand-down ceremony for the Reims Rockets, held in Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel, on 4 October, was overseen by GOC Air Corps, Brig Gen Rory O'Connor. Also in attendance were a large number of past and present members of the Corps, who reminisced about their time spent with these iconic aircraft. The two remaining airworthy 172s conducted one last forma- tion flight before the five remaining airframes were hangared and inspected for the final time. However, the stand down of one aircraft type breathes life into the introduction of a replacement, and in Q2 2020 the Air Corps is due to take delivery of three Pilatus PC-12 NG Spectre aircraft. These state-of-the-art, multi-role aircraft will bring a new level of capabil- ity to the organisation and will be primarily deployed in the roles of ISR, air ambulance and logistics.

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