An Cosantóir

66 NO 4 SUPPORT WING By RSM Rick Kearns NO 4 SUPPORT WING No 4 Support Wing Mission Statement: "To provide high quality engineering support and continuing airworthiness services in a timely and efficient manner as required at home and abroad, through the provision of specialised equipment and a highly skilled, informed and well-motivated staff, in order to enhance the operational effectiveness of the Air Corps." The following gives an insight into the per- sonnel and roles within this vital component of the Air Corps RSM Rick Kearns, UNIT RSM / Senior Aircraft Inspector, from Naas, with 41 years' service. "I joined the Air Corps as an Apprentice Air- craft Technician in 1980 and have carried out a variety of roles in the Air corps during my career including, Aircraft Technician, Flight At- tendant, Aircraft inspector, Technical instruc- tor, Technical services inspector and am now the RSM of No. 4 Support. The Role of RSM in a technical support unit is varied and challenging, where the HR and admin responsibilities are balanced with the technical input to a unit that supports the Air corps operation with a multifaceted approach including parts supply, Fuel, Avionics, work- shops and second line servicing. I have also, for many years, been involved with the Defence forces Gaelic football and am looking forward to the resumption of the inter-unit and inter-brigade competitions this year". FQMS Mark Clynes from Dublin, Unit Quar- termaster and has 24 years' service and six overseas tours of duty. "I started my career in 1997 with 2 Inf Battal- ion and remained there until 2012 when the unit became 7 Inf battalion. After 18 years with the infantry I transferred to the Air Corps initially working in 502 Sqn which includes clothing and Ordnance. I was promoted in 2018 to No 4 Sp Wing as the unit Quartermas- ter and my role here is quite varied. As well as standard responsibilities including the issuing of clothing and PPE to personal within the unit, which is made up of Aircraft technicians and refuelling operatives, I also take the lead role with range practices and unit shooting. As the unit quartermaster I also maintain all the workshop accounts and the transfer of tools and parts that require repair or calibration to outside companies, in col- laboration with the senior aircraft inspectors, in order to maintain tool availability for the various aircraft. Working within the Air Corps is a varied and very interesting and rewarding career". Calibration Lab, 402 Squadron, No. 4 Support Wing. Sgt Pius Devine, NCO I/C Calibration Labo- ratory / Avionics Inspector, from Westmeath, with 22 years' service in the Air Corps. "Currently I am the Inspector in charge of the Calibration Laboratory which is situated in No. 4 Support Wing where I also work as an Aircraft Avionics Inspector on Fixed Wing and Rotary Aircraft. My Career started in October 1999 when I joined as an Apprentice and in 2003 I started to work in 402 Sqn as an Avi- onics Technician. In 2017 I was promoted RSM Kearns at No. 4 Support HQ

• Cover