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Minister with Responsibility for Defence, Mr. Paul Kehoe,T.D., Attends the Air Corps Commissioning Ceremony, of the 34th Air Corps Cadet Class at Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel

The Minister with Responsibility for Defence, Mr. Paul Kehoe, T.D., today (Friday, 2 November 2018) attended the Commissioning Ceremony of the 34th Air Corps Cadet Class at Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel.

The 34th Air Corps Cadet Class comprised of six Cadets, Gavin Byrne, Colin Delaney, Lorcan Hickey, Mark McLoughlin, Paul Quinlan and Colin Treacy. All six were commissioned as Air Corps officers following the completion of a 36 month Cadetship.

Addressing the five newly commissioned Air Corps officers, Minister Kehoe said “As pilot officers of the Air Corps each of you has chosen a very challenging and demanding career – but one that is also very fulfilling and rewarding. I hope that you all will enjoy the many positive and enjoyable aspects of military life. Foremost amongst these are the comradeship, the challenges and the very high level of job satisfaction that comes from leading and serving others.”

The Minister highlighted the ongoing work of the Air Corps, pointing at the recent cross border operations launched during the hot summer months.

“It must not be lost on us that it was the men and women of the Irish Air Corps who were first to the skies when communities just a few hundred kilometres north of here found themselves in difficulty.”

Minister Kehoe also acknowledged the staff of the Military College and the Flying Training School involved who prepared the cadets for duty as Air Corps officers “The fruits of their labour stand before us today and they can be proud of the good they have done”.