An Cosantóir

55 No 5 Support Wing has its history tied up in what was once Adminis- tration Wing of Air Corps Group. At the time all administrative support for the Air Corps was provided through the Admin Wing which consisted of 'A' Sqn and 'Q' Sqn. Many of the functions of Admin Wing were originally provided with the support of detachments from their Army equivalents. Essential supports such as Transport Section hailed from the 1 Coy Army Transport Corps. It wasn't until 1939 that the Transport Section was incorporated into the Technical Workshops and in 1946 became a Section within The Depot of 'Q' Sqn. Crash Rescue Services, was at this time, created as part of Transport Section and has been an essential support service to flying operations ever since. No less critical to the ongoing operations in Casement Aerodrome were the logistical supports of catering and medical. These small but vital components have similar histories within the Air Corps and have over the years become stalwarts of the organisation, providing sustenance and care for all aspects of operations. At the time the upkeep and maintenance of the buildings and airfield facilities was carried out externally from Admin Wing. 5 Maintenance Engineering Company. It was originally activated by the COS on the 1st Jan 1985. The personnel had formally been part of 2 Maint Engr Coy, 2 E Bde but was then placed directly under the command of AC HQ. As well as upkeep and maintenance, 5 Maint Eng Coy was responsible for the design and supervision of construction projects at Casement Aerodrome. 5 Sp Wing formally came into being with the reorganisation in the ear- ly 2000's. Administrative elements were restructured within all Wings and decentralised from Admin Wing. All other support functions were placed within relevant Squadrons and new command structures of No 5 Sp Wing. The Unit HQ is supported by 501 Sqn for administra- tion tasks with 502 Sqn being created to account for the 'Q' roles (Rations, Clothing, Barrack Services and Ordnance) for the Air Corps. NO 5 SUPPORT WING - "IT DOESN'T FLY WITHOUT NO 5" By Lt Col Fergal Ryan, OC No 5 Support Wing NO 5 SUPPORT WING - "IT DOESN'T FLY WITHOUT NO 5" With the typical 'A' and 'Q' roles accounted for by 501 and 502 Sqn, there was a requirement for a more structured command and control for other support services. Transport came under 503 Sqn with the CRS element removed and Medical was renamed 504 Sqn. Air Traffic Services was also brought under No 5 Sp Wing with the creation of 505 Sqn (an additional article further explores this aspect of the Air Corps). It was also at this time that 5 Maint Eng Coy became 506 Sqn and also incorporated the CRS element in line with the airfield upkeep and maintenance roles. The unofficial Unit motto, coined by Comdt Orla Jennings, "It Doesn't Fly Without No 5", holds as true today as it does in any stage of the Air Corps' past. The roles of each and every Squadron in No 5 Sp Wing play a vital, if often unseen part in each and every flight, from the food in their bellies to the clothes on their backs, the de-iced runways to ensuring that the crews are fit to fly, from radar controllers to runway lighting… "It Doesn't Fly Without No 5". The Runways and Taxiways identify the base and so highlights No 5 Wings support role. In the original batch there was a spelling error "UINH 5" should be "UIMH 5". Even on a wet Christmas Day (2021), there is a full team of specialised staff on duty ensuring that our heli and fixed wing crews are able to fly. Cpl Finn's recent promotion earned him the honour of a Christmas Day duty. 5 Maint Eng Coy was a Unit that was attached to the Air Corps. Its personnel wore the Engineer Corps badges and an Air Corps badge. Designed in 1987 by Lt. J. O'Dea. The Admin Wing Badge was introduced in 1989. The design was very appropriate for an Admin Unit but it was not popular because of the bright colour and was referred to as the "beer mat". The Irish text on the badge "Aerodrom Mhic Easmuinn" translates as "Casement Aerodrome" which is the base and not the Unit name. It was proposed to have the blue background to represent the Air Corps but for some reason the orange prevailed. Designed by Comdt D. Reidy.

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