An Cosantóir

36 | Paul McDermott Lieutenant 104 Squadron, No 1 Operations Wing I was commissioned last December after completing my Wings course. Since then, I have been posted to 104 Squadron, which operates five Cessna 172s and has six full-time pilots. The aircraft are maintained by the technicians of 103 Squadron. Generally, when pilots complete their Wings course they are sent to 104 Squadron to undergo a type conversion course, followed by an operational conversion course. The Cessna is a small and light aircraft and is capable of take-off and landing in short distances. As a result, the Cessna can land at small grass or tarmac airstrips - taking us all over the country. Outside of the flying training environment, it is the first aircraft you fly and the missions allow you to take responsibility for an aircraft and a crewman, familiarise yourself with the country and its airspace, structure and terrain, and gain experience in various roles such as army co-operation, aid to the civil power, and aid to the civil authority missions. Our main role in 104 Sqn is army co-operation. This includes monitoring cash-in-transit escorts, parachute training, and drogue towing for ground-to-air firing. Cash-in-transit escorts are the primary operational tasking, where we are, quite literally, the eyes in the sky for the military and Garda escort on the ground - making sure the route is clear in advance of the escort. On these escorts a signalman in the rear of the aircraft keeps in constant communication with the escort on the ground. Secondary roles consist of aid to the civil power and aid to the civil authority. For example, we have been considerably tasked over the year to conduct survey flights for the National Parks & Wildlife Service. This has sometimes involved us taking one of their members to survey the seal population around the coast. However, surveying bird populations in the Shannon Estuary or deer populations in various mountains are also a common request. When you are not flying you are planning the operations for the coming week. This involves liaising with other Defence Forces units or government agencies, examining weather forecasts, aircraft availability and so on. It is a brilliant unit as every day is different. Our aircraft allow us to operate out of the majority of airfields, so you really do get to see every part of the country. There are few other sections in the Air Corps that have such a wide variety of roles - you are always on the go here! "where we are, quite literally, the eyes in the sky" An Cosantóir November 2013 www.dfmagazine.ie

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