An Cosantóir

41 tional with huge amounts of monies raised for the Red Cross, thousands of offers of people opening their homes and hearts to the people fleeing the war. I am also very proud to be a member of the Irish Air Corps and to be able to be part of the crews providing humanitarian flights and assistance to these vulnerable people with our aircraft and personnel, from 101 Sqn and 104 Squadrons, recently completing Air Ambulance mission and humanitarian mis- sions related to this conflict. It's missions like these that make us all so very proud to be able to take part in, and complete, and it takes numerous people, in all different units of the Air Corps, to make these missions a success." Conclusion As I reflect on the above, it's impossible not to feel proud, not only of 102 Sqn but the Air Corps as a whole and all of its personnel. As alluded to in the stories above, I am keen- ly aware that 102 simply cannot function without the vital support of the complete organisation from ACHQ, through to our technicians, ATC, support staff and so many others that keep the wheels turning. It's a momentous effort on everyone's part and the output of the flying squadrons is the sum total of all of these elements. As OC of such a squadron, I am grateful to each and every person who plays their part and I know their worth. In closing, I hope the stories above have given some insight into life in 102 Squadron. These examples are part of the reason we have an Air Corps; to undertake these missions when no one else can. Does that have value and worth? It absolutely does and we are privileged to be able to do it. Here's to the next 100 years of the Irish Air Corps serving the State and its citizens. was only then that I really took it all in and could appreci- ate what we had been involved in. I am very proud that the Air Corps and 102 Squadron were in a position to be a part of this mission and as one of the team directly involved, grateful that I was able to play my part and help not only for our own citizens, but those of other countries as well." MATS Mission Kyiv, Ukraine – August 2021 Cpl Carmel Bennett, Flight Attendant In August 2021, 102 Squadron carried out a routine Ministerial Air Transport Service mission to Kyiv, Ukraine. Cpl Carmel Bennett, Flight Attendant 102 Squadron was a member of the crew for this mission. While the mission in itself was routine and uneventful, the visit to Ukraine has taken on new meaning for Cpl Bennett in light of the recent outbreak of war in the country. She reflects on the mission and her time in Kyiv now in a different context. "Our time was short in Kyiv, just a quick overnight. How- ever from the moment we landed in Boryspil International Airport, we were greeted by the most welcoming, fabulous, kind-hearted people from the ramp crew to the handling agent, refuellers, security staff etc. I distinctly remember one of the handlers going out of his way to show us a map of Kyiv , explaining how wonderful the city was, the different districts and dialects one would find in Kyiv, the wonderful churches and cathedrals that are on nearly ev- ery postcard from Kyiv. I remember smiling at how proud and passionate he was of Kyiv and of being Ukrainian. Strolling around, I was struck by how incredibly beautiful Kyiv was, from St Michaels golden domed monastery, the Cathedral of St Sophia, to the incredible paintings inside St Andrews Church. As the balmy August sun shone down on Independence Square, the Ukrainian flags proudly blew to and fro in the light summer breeze. The colours of the flags perfectly representing a proud and honourable day in Ukrainian history; the blue of the flag as bright as the blue sky overhead and the yellow of the flag glistening in the gorgeous peaceful August sunshine. Prior to our departure, as I was standing beside our Learjet 45, I watched an Embraer aircraft from the Ukraine Inter- national Airline taxi past. I received the biggest smiles and waves from the cockpit. When I think back to this crew, I often wonder where they are now and all the airport staff of Boryspil Interna- tional Airport and on reflection its quite sobering to think about the people in this beautiful city and country and the devastation they are facing. I am extremely proud to be Irish and the level of response from the Irish people to this crisis has been excep- Cpl Carmel Bennett, Flight Attendant 102 Squadron, who took part in the MATS mission to Kyiv in August 2021. Comdt Peter Smyth and Lt Aidan Higgins alongside IRL258 following the ceremonial flypast on the 23rd of March 2022 to mark the 100th anniversary of the Air Corps. 102 SQUADRON

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