An Cosantóir

EDITORIAL Cpt James Mulderrig info@military.ie +353 (0)45 44 5306 Sgt Louise McDonald (Stand in) magazine@military.ie +353 (0)45 44 5307 Cpl Lee Coyle (Overseas) journalist@military.ie A/M Sam Gibney photo@military.ie Mr Seán Shinnors Tony O'Brien Provided by a collection of photos from the Air Corps JM Publishing & Media Arklow, Co. Wicklow, Ireland Tel: +353 (0)87 1344135 Email: info@jmpublishing.ie The fact that an article appears in this magazine does not indicate official approval of the views expressed by the author. © Published by OiC Public Relations Branch for the Defence Forces at DFHQ, Block 5, Ceannt Bks, DFTC, Curragh Camp, Co Kildare, Ireland. Tel: +353 (0)45 445312 Cpl Martin Bennett subs@military.ie +353 (0)45 44 5312 Vacant Sgt Louise McDonald webmaster@military.ie +353 (0)45 44 5307 admin@military.ie +353 (0)45 44 5308 MANAGER: EDITOR: PHOTO/JOURNALIST: PHOTOGRAPHER: MAGAZINE ARCHIVIST: CIVILIAN JOURNALIST: FRONT COVER DESIGNER/ADVERTISING: ADMIN NCO: DF/PR INFORMATION: DF WEBMASTER: Vacant Hello, and welcome to our second issue of 2022, our 82nd volume of the An Cosantóir magazine. This issue marks a very special year in Irish Air Corps history, with its 100th Anniversary occurring in March of this year. This issue we have a wide range of Air Corps content. Starting with forewords from the Minister for Defence, Simon Coveney TD, the Chief of Staff Lt Gen Seán Clancy, the Secretary General Department of Defence, Jacqui McCrum, the General Officer Commanding Air Corps, Brig Gen Rory O'Connor, and also forewords from PDFORRA & RACO. On Parade features recent and past albums from the Air Corps which feature on our Defence Forces Flickr page. Our first feature article by Cpl Michael Whel- an starts us off with a quick history of the Air Corps and its conception. Throughout this issue we look at some of the roles of the Air Corps from Emergency Aeromedical Service (EAS), Maritime Patrols, Ceremonial Formation Flying, and the Gardai Air Sup- port Unit (GASU). We also take an in depth look at some of the areas within the Air Corps, from the Military Air Traffic Control, 102, 104, & 105 Squadron's, No. 3, No. 4, & No. 5 Support Wing's and AC CIS. The small areas are also covered, like the AC Pipe Band, and AC ONE. Some of our other features tell stories from the Air Corps which include Those Magnificent Days, Vampires, Uniforms and Insignia, and DSMs. For history articles there is a wide range about the Air Corps and its fleet over the years, including the flight of the Bremen, the Alouette III Heli, Sgt Pilots, the evolution of Aviation Safety, and The Fighter Squadron. Foreword from Comdt Peter Smyth, Irish Air Corps First and foremost, I hope that all who read this special edition of An Cosantóir will enjoy it and that it will provide a real insight into the Irish Air Corps, not only as it exists today, but also in terms of its rich history and achievements in service of the State over the past 100 years. Speaking for the editorial team tasked with putting this project together, one of our key goals was to let you, the reader, know exactly who we are and where we have come from, as we celebrate our 100th Anniversary. Today's Air Corps fulfils a variety of roles and mis- sions, and you will have the chance to learn about these in-depth through a number of the articles con- tained within. It was important to the team to capture the wide breath of activities and responsibilities with which the men and women of the Air Corps are tasked, and hopefully, this is achieved appropriately through their own words, unique inputs and contributions to this special edition. It was also vital that we highlighted those that have come before us and laid the foundations for today's Air Corps. Cpl Michael Whelan has provided a wonderful history of the Air Corps in his own inimitable style, and we have included a number of articles which focus on our rich past and the personnel who made it all possible. I hope that you will find these insights as interesting and indeed moving, as we did when compiling the material. In closing, it has been an honour to be a part of the team responsible for putting this magazine together and it wouldn't have been possible to achieve without help and input from so many avenues. These include the DF Press Office and the An Cosantóir team, the Air Corps Press Officer Comdt Stephen Byrne and Cpl Mick Whelan from the Air Corps Museum, but most importantly, all those personnel who wrote and contributed to the articles that you will read over the next seventy pages or so. Their input was simply immense and their obvious passion for their respective areas and roles undeniable. As I read their stories, it reminded me of exactly why we, the Air Corps, exist. It highlights the sheer quality of our people, past and present, not least those who have made the highest of sacrifices in service. The Air Corps contains personnel of the highest calibre in all areas, and it is clear that they draw inspiration from their predeces- sors who have served throughout our history. It is this that gives great hope for the future that we will overcome the undoubted challenges we face, and continue to serve this great State and its people for another 100 years and beyond. We hope you enjoy the magazine. «The Wright brothers flew right through the smoke screen of impossibility» — Charles Kettering Sgt Louise McDonald – Editor

• Cover