Celebrating 100th anniversary of Irish Air Corps
A SPECIAL commemoration ceremony marking 100 years of the Irish Air Corps was held at Casement Aerodrome in Baldonnel this week.
The ceremony commenced with Minister for Defence, Simon Coveney TD, receiving a ceremonial guard of honour before a centenary monologue was narrated by Commandant Orla Jennings.
Tallaght man Michael J Whelan, who is a serving Air Corps member and founder of the Irish Air Corps Museum, read his poem ‘Onto the Curve of the World’ at the event on Wednesday.
Marking the important milestone, Chief of Staff of the Irish Defence Forces, Lieutenant General Seán Clancy, expressed his pride for all members of the Air Corps, past and present.
“I am so proud of all who serve, have served and who support the Irish Air Corps,” Lieutenant General Clancy said.
“No matter what tasking, be it on maritime surveillance patrols, assisting with forest fires, search and rescue operations or the additional Covid-19 related taskings that you undertook, the selfless manner in which you meet these challenges head on, reflects the spirit of the generations that proceed you and inspires the next to make a difference.
“I am honoured to celebrate with you all on your 100th Anniversary and thank you for your service and sacrifice”
Michael J Whelan read his poem ‘Onto the Curve of the World’ at the event on Wednesday at Casement Aerodrome in Baldonnel
It was also a big day for members of the 26th and 27th Young Officers Wings Course, as they were awarded their Military Pilots Wings.
The event concluded with a PC9M Fly-past during the National Anthem, followed by a mass flypast review by the full fleet of aircraft from the Irish Air Corps.
Minister Coveney commented that “the centenary of the Air Corps certainly is a landmark event and it is pertinent that we celebrate today after two years of an especially high tempo of operations by the Air Corps on behalf of the State”.
“Each of you have supported the national effort in the face of a national emergency and in support of ongoing military activities,” he said.
