An Cosantóir

www.military.ie the defence forces magazine | 9 JuST ANoThER DAy IN ThE SERVICE Feel gooD FriDAy wiSh By Naval Service Press Office on 1st September 2014 oran's wish came true, when he was piped aboard the LÉ Aoife as Commander oran. oran age 10, living with Burkitt's Syndrome had wished to be a Naval officer for a day. When he realised that he was going to command the high-tech ship around the harbour - he was absolutely thrilled. Throughout the day he issued orders, visited the different areas of the ship, received a VIP lunch and tour of haulbowline Naval Base and lots more top- secret activities. Oran's family gave a massive thank you to the Irish Naval Service who on the day became true wish grant- ers, dedicating themselves to ensure Oran had the most magi- cal time! Oran is pictured here on deck with O/Sea Sam Gibney and Lt Aisling O'Flynn. viP viSiT By Air Corps Press Office on 7th August 2014, the Air Corps had a special visit from a 5-year-old VIP hannah from Donegal, who visited Case- ment Aerodrome, Baldonnel to say thank you to some of her heroes. On 26th November 2009 Hannah first met with Capt Finbar McArdle, Capt Michael Noonan and Armn Dave Tiernan when they were tasked with bringing her on a neonatal air ambulance from Letterkenny to Dublin. Hannah needed to get to Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin urgently, and thanks to the speedy transfer from her helicopter crew and the support from the Air Corps ground staff, she got the treatment she required and has since made a full recovery. Meeting Hanna and seeing her full of life is a great reminder to our crews of the difference they can make and why we do our best to provide this service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, all year round. The Air Corps complete over 100 air ambulances every year, with the crews rarely hearing how their special passengers get on. SuPerheroeS By Sgt Gavin Coventry, Mil Col, DFTC Photos: Anthony Lynch on 19th July 2014, members of over the Edge Ireland, a rock climbing and abseiling events group who are all members of the Defence Forces became heroes for a day in aid of Aoibheann's Pink Tie. Aoi- bheann's Pink Tie founded by Jimmy Norman in 2010 after he lost his young daughter Aoibheann to a rare form of cancer, have helped many Defence Forces families suffering with this life threatening disease. A heroes and princesses party was held at Dunboyne Castle for the children and families of St John's Ward (oncology/haematology) of our Lady's Children's hospital, Crumlin. The day consisted of: nail bars, henna tattoos, Irish danc- ers, singers, cinema, games, sweet stalls, face painting, art stand, disco, airsoft, Civil Defence tracked vehicles, Garda regional support and mounted units, pony rides, Dublin Fire Brigade, play bus and characters from Star Wars. This was the second year the summer party had been put on by Aoi- bheann's Pink Tie and it was a magical paradise created for the children to enjoy. JACk AND Jill FouNDATioN By 2/Lt Bunney, 2 Cav Sqn on 5th July 2014 members of the 2 Cav Sqn, Cathal Brugha Bks provided a vehicle and weapons display for the annual Jack and Jill Foundation day of fun in the Royal hospital Kilmainham, Dublin. The display involved one LTAV, two ceremonial motorbikes, that are used for the presidential escort of honour and a weapons and equip- ment display that included sniper weapons and gillie suits. The display team were both courteous and polite to the fami- lies and showed an in depth knowledge of all the vehicles, weapons and the equipment. The display team were: 2/Lt Bunney, Cpl Dalton, Troopers Curran, Cummins, O'Conner, Lanigan and O'Reilly.

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