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Ireland Air Corps Organization

Air Corps Headquarters comprises of the Office of General Officer Commanding, an Operations Section and a Support Section. In addition three specialist sections, Military Airworthiness Authority (MAA), Flight Safety Section and Military Police Section are attached to Air Corps Headquarters under direct command of General Officer Commanding Air Corps. Strategic management planning, operational control and planning, personnel and logistical management, public relations and airworthiness of all service aircraft are among the tasks carried out by staff of Air Corps Headquarters.

No. 1 Operations Wing carries out all fixed wing tasks and operations assigned to the Air Corps. The wing is sub divided into six separate operational squadrons, each fulfilling its own specific roles. The wing operates a total of nine aircraft. In addition, the wing is responsible for first line maintenance of all aircraft assigned to it. Typical operations include: Inshore & Offshore Maritime patrol Ministerial Air Transport Service; Army Co-op & Reconnaissance; Garda Air Support; Air Ambulance; Search & Rescue top cover; Parachuting operations; Escort surveillance & monitoring; and Military transport.

The Air Corps operates two Casa CN 235 Maritime Patrol Aircraft. These aircraft entered service in 1994 and operate seven days a week usually in the off shore maritime patrol arena. Working in close conjunction with the Naval Service, the two Casa CN 235 provide an aerial platform for patrolling the Irish Economic Zone, an area of approximately 132,000 square miles or 16% of the total EU sea fisheries. The Air Corps operates five Cessna FR172H aircraft. These aircraft first entered service in 1972 and operate seven days a week carrying out a wide variety of roles for the Air Corps. Although carrying out many different roles, the vast majority of operations in which the five Cessna FR172H aircraft are involved in, are aerial surveillance and monitoring of cash and prisoner & explosive escorts.

The Air Corps operates one Gulfstream IV. This aircraft entered service in 1991 and operates seven days a week usually in the Ministerial Air Transport role. The Gulfstream IV offers an intercontinental transport capability to the state having circulated the globe on various missions throughout its service with the Air Corps. The Air Corps operates one Learjet 45. This aircraft entered service in 2004 and operates seven days a week usually in the Ministerial Air Transport role. In addition to its transport role, the Learjet 45 regularly carries out national and international patient transfer services in conjunction with the Department of Health and Children.

The Air Corps in conjunction with the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform operate one Pilatus Britten Norman Defender 4000 aircraft. This aircraft entered service in 1997 and operates seven days a week in the Garda Air Support role. Operational control of the aircraft remains with the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, while the Air Corps provide pilots and aircraft technicians to the Garda Air Support Unit to fly and maintain the aircraft. The Air Corps operates seven Pilatus PC-9M aircraft. These aircraft first entered service in 2004 and operate as the main pilot training aircraft for the Air Corps. The PC-9M is equipped with a comprehensive, fully tandem-capable VFR/IFR avionics package for navigation, communication and identification, using state of the art equipment.

No. 3 Operations Wing carries out all rotary wing tasks and operations assigned to the Air Corps. The wing is sub divided into three separate operational squadrons, each fulfilling its own specific roles. As of 2013 the wing operated a total of eight aircraft, with six Augusta Westland AW139’s and two Eurocopter EC-135’s. In addition, the wing is responsible for first line maintenance of all aircraft assigned to it. Typical operations include: Army support; Air Ambulance; Military transport; Civil assistance; Inland Search & Rescue; General utility; Rotary pilot training; and Ministerial Air Transport Service.

The Air Corps took delivery of its first two Agusta Westland AW139 aircraft in November 2006. There are six of the type in service. The AW139 is a medium-lift twin-engine helicopter with a troop lifting capacity of up to 14 personnel in the normal configuration. The Air Corps operates two EC135 P2 aircraft. These aircraft entered service in 2005 and operate seven days a week carrying out a wide variety of roles for the Air Corps. The EC135 is utilised as the main ab initio rotary wing training aircraft for the Air Corps. The Air Corps in conjunction with the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform operate two EC135 T2 aircraft. Both operate seven days a week in the Garda Air Support role. Operational control of the aircraft remains with the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, whereas the Air Corps provide pilots to the Garda Air Support Unit to fly the aircraft.

No. 4 Support Wing carries out scheduled second line maintenance on all Air Corps aircraft. This includes responsibility for all avionic related maintenance, procurement and management of spare parts and aviation fuel management and supply. No. 5 Support Wing is responsible for all logistical support to the Air Corps. The wing is sub divided into six separate support squadrons, each fulfilling its own specific roles.