An Cosantóir

www.military.ie THE DEFENCE FORCES MAGAZINE | 15 transport. Floor sections of the aircraft can be modified for carriage of not only a specialized stretcher base but an advanced neonatal unit. Additionally, all of the AW139 pilots had extensive EC135 experience. With a very intense training regime, the Air Corps prepares each pilot for their future roles. The training program is tailored to prepare the cadets to operate on multiple aircraft types in all weather conditions. The first step in becoming a fully qualified pilot with the Irish Air Corps is passing a seven-month period of basic military training, during which CRM is imprinted into the recruits' minds. Next comes fixed-wing ground school — after which crews are familiarized with the Pilatus PC-9M. The next stage of training includes covering basic support operations on a Re- ims Rocket Cessna 172, which is being removed from service and replaced by the Pilatus PC-12. After a short tour of duty and at least three years of flight training, junior officers are given a career choice: stay with the fixed-wing and transition to the CASA CN-235 or Learjet 45, or move over to rotary-wing platforms and begin AW139 courses. After passing the yearlong Heli- copter Conversion Course, pilots are trained on the EC135 to perform air ambulance missions. They are then dispatched to GASU. After three to five years spent with GASU, pilots are sent back to No. 3 Helicopter Wing where they continue to operate and train on the AW139 as needed. Probably the most vital task of the No. 3 Helicopter Wing is the provi- sion of emergency medical services. In 2011 a 12-month pilot project was launched to test possible advantages of having a helicopter with a full crew on standby to provide daytime HEMS flying under visual flight rules. CRM was a defining element of the program, which Bonner helped launch. One of the unique challenges at the beginning of joint operations was integrating two very different operational cultures. Pilots and aircrew were using jargon unfamiliar to medical personnel, while paramedics were using medical terminology previously unheard by the aviators. Again, CRM training was modified to educate military staff on medical phraseology, including having one of the Air Corps crew members trained as a medical technician able to assist with casualty care. The same approach went toward the medical staff, who were introduced to the Air Corps procedures and operations, making them permanent members of the HEMS team. EMS flights were initially performed with an EC135 before the larger, more capable AW139 was brought online. The service significantly reduced transit times for the patients and in 2013 became permanent. Another big step forward was to include the dispatcher's offices, which are located over 100 miles (160 kilometers) away from Athlone, by installing a set of cameras in the HEMS briefing room. This allowed the dispatcher to see and hear the pre- and post-action briefings, fully incorporating them into the advanced CRM system in place. A standard day for a HEMS crew starts with an operations briefing carried out by the commanding officer (CO). This includes a weather summary prepared by the first officer and a technical report by the engineers. While the first officer reviews the pre-designated landing sites and reports from previous duties, the CO carries out a thorough pre-flight inspection of the aircraft, after which the helicopter is set up for a quick start-up. Training flights are planned as required for the day, depending on weather conditions. Once a call comes in from the dispatch center, it is considered by the advanced paramedic. If it qualifies for a HEMS response, a mission is initiated, and the commander starts up the helicop- ter. At the same time, the first officer checks the location of an incident and assigns a pre-designated landing site, or creates a new one if needed. With location and route planned, the remainder of the crew boards the helicopter for an immediate departure. When airborne, the paramedic receives constant operational updates from the dispatch center. In many cases an ambulance team will be on the scene first and can confirm if HEMS response is needed. Upon arrival, the crew surveys the landing site, looking for any obstacles which could put the aircraft in danger. Several tight turns are made while every crew member checks the landing zone. With transition into hover and imminent landing, an army medical technician becomes eyes and ears for the pilots. They will verbally con- firm the aircraft's distance from the ground, possible debris and finally, contact with the ground. Immediately upon touchdown both a para- medic and an Air Corps medical technician will meet up with the ambulance team on the ground to assess the casualty. Within minutes of landing, usually with the aircraft awaiting with engines idling, the medical crew returns to the helicopter, which then takes off and takes heading for the nearest, most appropriate hospital. Sometimes, when more specialized assis- tance is needed — such as for neonatal care, the Air Corps' fixed-wing aircraft will fuel up to help. With the component's CASA CN-235 ready at Casement Aerodrome, a young patient can be immediately transferred and transported to an advanced care unit in the United Kingdom. And with full cooperation from all emergency services involved, the Athlone-based HEMS unit has proven itself to be a major addition to the Irish public. Today, No. 3 Helicopter Wing provides three major services: Garda Air Sup- port, emergency medical services and air mobility. In its current state it is also able to support the Irish troops serving in various United Nations peacekeeping missions across the globe. Ireland's Óglaigh na hÉireann (Irish Defence Forces) have actively taken part in global peacekeeping efforts since 1958 — from Central America to Africa and Asia and when called upon by partner nations and allies. Apart from its local aid to the general public, No. 3 Wing in 2018 was deployed to Northern Ireland to assist with putting out brush fires. Two AW139s, each equipped with a 1,200-liter (317-US gallon) Bambi Bucket, worked directly over the affected areas while an EC135 was used as an observation platform. While the Irish Air Corps has been used in cross- border operations before, this was the first time the helicopters were used to directly tackle fires. The Irish Air Corps' Helicopter Wing continues to develop and adjust its innovative training and staff retention programs, which makes this small force one of the most modern institutions of its kind in the world. While a pilot and staff shortage continues to be a global issue, in Ireland training is being adapted to attract not only new recruits and engineers, but most importantly to ensure that staff remain in service until retirement. As new training programs and technologies are continuously modernizing helicopter operations, the Irish Air Corps constantly adapts to remain one step ahead of global aviation trends. Since its founding, no less than 14 Distinguished Service Medals were awarded to the members of the He- licopter Wing, who proudly adopted the international SAR motto: "That Others Might Live; in Irish: "Go Mairidis Beo".

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