An Cosantóir

43 GASU – GARDA AIR SUPPORT UNIT the capability of the aircraft. Previously, heavy electrical components were reduced in size and weight, allowing for greater range, endurance and flexibility. Huge improve- ments came through the addition of new tactical search- light technology, while the thermal imaging capability was also upgraded. These components bring an unparalleled ability to spot distant heat sources, illuminate them as necessary, while integrated augmented reality systems, including modern GPS overlay and mapping technology, are utilised to guide ground elements to execute rescues and arrests in all terrains. The extraordinary output of GASU speaks volumes to its efficacy and proficiency. Since its inception in 1997, the unit has conducted thousands of vehicle pursuits, missing person searches, criminal suspect surveillance as well as numerous other patrols, searches, covert operations, escorts and innumerable other taskings required of GASU in its airborne policing role. The unit is and remains an ex- tremely busy one, not least during the Covid-19 pandemic, where there was no break in service at any time. Like much of national policing, police aviation tasks are many and varied. However, GASU is a key national asset and will generally respond to high priority missions in- volving risk to life and property. Typical tasks include high speed vehicle pursuits, covert and overt surveillance of suspects and searches for missing or vulnerable persons. The sophisticated multi-sensor technology allows the crew to locate heat sources at significant distance, greatly aiding in tracking and locating missing people or criminal suspects. The unit has been involved on an almost daily basis in life-saving calls, in supporting operations target- ing organised criminal gangs and violent suspects, and undertaking surveillance and reconnaissance tasks. Some testimony from duty pilots is included here as a means of understanding the typical missions carried out by 304 Sqn. Our aircraft was tasked to a missing person search, where a woman's car was last seen parked in a remote mountain range. After searching for several minutes, the rear Garda Observer spotted an unconscious female in a forest clear- ing, at the base of a valley in the mountain range below. With the aid of the rear crew, I landed the helicopter in the clearing, and the AGS crew disembarked to administer lifesaving CPR. Having recovered the person sufficiently to sustain life, we repositioned the aircraft and alerted the wid- er search and medical teams. We led them to the clearing and assisted in extracting the casualty to safety. I was on shift at dusk when we received intelligence of a suspect vehicle travelling in the Dublin mountains. We were tasked to assist in locating the vehicle. As night fell it be- came necessary to utilise NVGs, and in doing so we picked up the target vehicle as it tracked toward the city, eventually making its way to a Dublin suburb, through dense traffic. Meanwhile we communicated with units on the ground to coordinate an intercept and stop of the vehicle. At the appropriate moment, with the Heli overhead, ground units executed a stop of the target vehicle and effected arrest of the suspects, who were all armed. In the meantime, we maintained overwatch in case of any further decampers from the vehicle. We were tasked to respond to a vulnerable person who had gone missing from their home. We positioned the aircraft over the search area, and using the new camera fitted to 272 we were able to identify the missing person on a headland several kilometers away, in a very dark area near the coast. We established contact with ground crews in order to guide them to a rescue. However, the area was too dark to traverse quickly and the ground crews were unable to see the person. Using the tactical search light, we were able to light up a path for the ground crews to follow along the headland and effect a rescue of the MISPER. The new equipment had been recently fitted to 272, and its astonish- ing power and sophistication immediately demonstrated its life-saving capabilities. E272 Dublin Bay GASU on patrol over the city at night.

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