Air Corps gets ready for take off

摘要

Contracts to the value of ?60 million have recently been signed for the purchase of new light utility and utility helicopters for the Air Corps. Here Lt Col Raymond Flanagan, and Assistant Project Manager, Comdt Conrad Barber, describe the new aircraft, their capabilities and roles. Since 1963, the Air Corps has operated a variety of different helicopter types that have provided the State with Search and Rescue (SAR), Air Ambulance, VIP transport, military troop training and a variety of military operational and utility roles. The current Air Corps helicopter fleet comprises seven single engine Alouette helicopters (including two of the aircraft which entered service in 1963), one single engine Gazelle helicopter and four Dauphin twin-engine helicopters. In addition, as part of an agreement with the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the Garda, the Air Corps operates one twin-engine AS355N Squirrel and one EC135T2 helicopter in a police role.