An Cosantóir

8 100TH ANNIVERSARY MESSAGE TO THE IRISH AIR CORPS April 2022 Dear Air Corps personnel, First of all let me start by wholeheartedly thanking all past and present members of the Air Corps for their service. I also want to ac- knowledge your century of service in support of Ireland's national and international aims and aspirations. Well done and what an achieve- ment! As Secretary General for the Department of Defence, I am in the very privileged position to be able to congratulate you on the outstand- ing contribution made by the Air Corps to Irish life across the past 100 years and I very much look forward to further working with you during my tenure. I have been fortunate enough to fly on the MATS service during my short time to date in Defence and also had the privilege of participating in a training flight on a PC 9 last summer. My friends are very jealous! On both occasions and anytime I have visited Baldon- nel, I can say that the professionalism of our Air Corps is to the fore. I hope you and your fam- Jacqui Mc Crum Secretary General - Ard Rúnaí, Department of Defence - An Roinn Cosanta ilies all enjoy the much deserved celebrations marking this important milestone in the history of both the Air Corps and the State. I under- stand the days surrounding the annual Bray Air Show, returning this year after a Covid-im- posed hiatus, are a particularly exciting time in Baldonnel and I wish you all the best for this upcoming event. As a Dublin native and resi- dent I enjoy this time of year and the various overflights with great pride and joy from my back garden! While the ceremonial activities carried out by the Air Corps are important, it is the military and non-military support taskings undertaken by the Air Corps on a daily basis that should be held up for the greatest recognition and com- mendation. The past 24 months in particular, have seen you perform at an extremely high tempo. The ability of the Air Corps to respond to the myriad of asks arising from the disrup- tion to commercial aviation and to supporting the National Health Services to such a degree, are examples of the agility and dedication of the Air Corps and I thank you for this. Your recent actions in support of Ireland's response to the crisis in Ukraine are also much respected and much appreciated. The versatility of the Air Corps across the last two years should not be viewed in isolation – throughout the last century the Air Corps have supported a broad range of stakeholders and played a key role in the fabric of Irish life. Your previous role in Search and Rescue provision, the role played by members of the Air Corps during the Emergency, the current maritime patrol service provided to the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority, and your daily provision of the EAS are just a snapshot of the roles ful- filled by the Air Corps throughout the years. All organisations face challenges at various in- tervals and this has been no different for the Air Corps. Your ability to depend on each other and to respond in times of pressure will stand to you as we look forward to your next 100 years. I know the Air Corps will meet the challenges and opportunities of the future with drive, ambi- tion and innovation, and I look forward to work- ing with you all as the work of the Commission of the Future of the Defence Forces evolves. Once again congratulations on your landmark anniversary.

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