An Cosantóir

www.military.ie the defence forces magazine | 9 By AIRMAN RUAIRI GAyNOR, 403 SQN NO 4 SP WING O n April 23rd 2016, my nephew and godson, Ronan, who had just turned three at the time, was suddenly diagnosed with a very rare form of brain stem cancer called DIPG. the doctors gave Ronan only a short time to live, so over the last couple of months we've been organising activities and trips for Ronan and his dad Mark, mum Evelyn, and his older sister Katie to enjoy together. On Thursday 5th May 2016 I brought Ronan on a visit to the Air Corps in Baldonnel. On arrival, Ronan was given a kid's flight suit, donated by Seán Curtis, a DF veteran and owner of the PROTAC shop in the Curragh. The tailors in Baldonnel had sewn on his flashes and 'wings', so needless to say Ronan was well up for it as we headed to No 1 Ops Wing to see some fixed-wing aircraft. Ronan thought every one of them was "awesome" but his favourite was the CASA. After he had asked what every button and lever did we headed for his favourite place, the Fire Station, where we were met by Cpl Vinny Nolan and his crew of Rescue 09. We were taken out onto the taxiway and down to the fire train- ing grounds in the huge Rosenbauer driven by Ronan's newest best friend 'Fireman Myles' (Armn Mooney). Suddenly, Vinny noticed a fire and put Ronan straight to work putting it out using the Rosenbauer's giant, powerful, remote-controlled water cannons. After all this excitement it was back to the station, where Vinny and the crew presented Ronan with a model fire engine and helmet. Next stop was the Bird Control Unit (BCU) where Neil showed us Rhianna, a Harris hawk, and Samsung, a falcon, who help keep the aircraft safe from bird-strikes. Hungry after all the excitement, we went to the dining complex where the chefs and the girls had laid on a fantastic meal for all. Back on tour, we called to see Armn Mick Whelan in the museum before continuing on to No 3 Heli Ops, where Ronan got to sit in the pilot's seats of an AW139 and EC135. He also got to watch the AW139s taking off and landing. Next it was the Garda Air Support Unit, where Garda Darren brought the family out onto the ramp to see Echo 256 and Echo 272. Then a call came telling Ronan there were 'bad guys' near and to give chase. Lights and sirens where in full swing as Darren and Ronan caught the bad guys. Ronan had seen grey airplanes flying overhead all day, and now it was his turn to 'fly' one. Ronan couldn't wait to jump into the front seat of PC-9 no 261 while Katie took the back seat. Mammy and daddy looked on and took loads of photos while I prayed the little rascal wouldn't pull any seat pins out or tug on the 'Pull to Eject' cord. Luckily he was under the watchful eye of Sgt Mick 'Jabber' and besides, he was too busy pressing the red buttons on the stick to fire the rockets and cannons (which were obviously not loaded). To finish off, Capt Purcell (Engr Officer PC-9s and OC Firecrew) presented Ronan with a framed photo of a Rosenbauer with his name on it and his father with photos of all the aircraft they'd seen that day. To top it all off, the lads in the Air Corps Press Office presented them with their own Air Corps Bears as a memento of their visit. At the end of the day the kids were wrecked but couldn't stop talking about all they had seen and done in Baldonnel. It can be hard to explain verbally to a civilian how military life is, but we, as members of the Defence Forces, excel in showing people, through big and small random acts of compassion and kindness. These acts are what define us. Ronan, Katie, their mam and dad, and I, would like to thank all those involved in making this day, a day that we will always remem- ber and treasure. a daY To rEmEmBEr

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