An Cosantóir July/August 2015 www.dfmagazine.ie
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by SGT WAyNE FITZGERALD
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t the start of this year five of 18 applicants were selected to undergo a photography course in
Casement Aerodrome, baldonnel, with 105 Airborne and Imagery Squadron.
The four-month course, which is running from March to July, incorporates everything the photog-
rapher needs to produce top quality pictures as well as digital image manipulation using Photoshop.
Starting with basic camera settings, black-and-white film development and printing, the course moved
on to lenses, shutter speeds, frame rates, F-stops, and colour.
By the time they finish the course the students will have learned a great deal about the fine art of digital
photography and will be qualified to take everything from aerial images to passport photographs.
The instructors on the course, all from 105 Sqn, are Sgts Karl Cosgrave and Damian Faulkner, and Cpls Pat
O'Meara and Brian Doherty.
Some of the tasks of No 1 Ops Wing and 105 Sqn that will see these new photographers utilising their
skills include search-and-rescue top cover, escort surveillance and monitoring, army co-operation
and reconnaissance.
The main task, however, is inshore and offshore maritime patrolling with the Air Corps' two Casa CN
235s. The two aircraft carry out daily patrols of the Irish Economic Zone, an area of approximately 132,000
sq miles that covers 16% of the EU's sea fisheries (almost five times the land area of Ireland), and is one of
the most productive fisheries in the world. On these patrols, which
can last up to eight hours, the photographer and his two sensor and
radar operator colleagues record and collect data on all vessels that
are encountered.
In addition, 105 Sqn photographers can be requisitioned (if avail-
able) by units throughout the Defence Forces to take photographs
of training exercises, parades and special events.
