An Cosantóir

73 technology, the creative process has since moved from the darkroom to the Adobe Ed- iting Suite, providing the squadron with the necessity to upgrade their skillset in an ever expanding digital realm. 105 Sqn has not only contributed to ATCP roles at home, but it has also provided pho- tographers oversees. Fulfilling one of the squadron's responsibilities that is still carried out today, Public Relations, in turn visually records many notable historical events. One such event being the previous An Uachtaran Mary McAleese on her first overseas engage- ment to visit Irish Contingent serving with the UN Peacekeeping Force in Lebanon in 1997. As well as photographing Government digni- taries on overseas visits members of 105 Sqn have travelled to numerous UN missions as staff photographers with the Defence Forces Press office to countries such as Liberia, Leb- anon, Syria, Mali and Chad. The UNFICYP (UN Mission in Cyprus) also had a photographer deployed to assist the UN media team and this was a 6 month mission. Public Relations in recent years has really come to the forefront with the popularity and development of social media. 105 Sqn con- tributes hugely to the public perception of the Irish Air Corps and the wider Defence Forc- es as a whole. A picture paints a thousand words and the media the Sqn produces, gives Defence Forces Press Office the means to interact with the public and provide an insight into the inner workings of the organisation and what we actually do on a daily basis. PR is what links the public to the soldiers, sailors and airpersons performing the ordinary and sometimes extra-ordinary tasks for the Repub- lic of Ireland. Looking forward, the squadron is continually evolving and adapting to an ever advancing technological world, Remote Piloted Aircraft Systems – RPAS (drones) are starting to play a massive role in how the Sqn performs it's duties. The RPAS enables an unprecedented level of mission flexibility and can be utilised a lot more urgently than a helicopter as well as being more covert, if necessary. As well as the evolution in equipment, there also has been a massive investment into the infrastructure of the Photographic and Air- borne Imaging Squadron. The Sqn building itself will contribute to the task of intelligence, image analysis and maritime monitoring as well as any other tasks that arise working with variety of state agencies. Outside of the operational requirements of being a Military Photographer, the unique selling point of the job is the love of photogra- phy. Every photographer in the section must pass an interview and produce a portfolio of work before being considered for the Initial Airborne Photographers Course. Where ap- plicants learn everything from the basics of camera operation, studio photography, post production, to interacting with senior officers and foreign dignitaries. "Photography takes an instant out of time, altering life by holding still." – Dorothea Lange, The magic of Pho- tography is what grants the power to capture a frame and make it last forever. 27 Irish Army Ranger Wing dismounting from AW139 Infantry Weapons wing sniper – studio shoot Ceremonial Guard of Honour for President McAleese Current Flg/Sgt Collum Lawlor while deployed overseas in Africa Formation flight of Anson aircraft over Baldonnell 105 Photographic Sqn Circa 1980 105 PHOTOGRAPHIC & AIRBORNE IMAGING SQN

• Cover