Foilsithe ar 

Freastalaíonn an tAire Coveney ar Ócáid Chomóradh 100 Bliain an Aerchóir

D’fhreastail an tAire Cosanta, an tUasal Simon Coveney, T.D. agus Ceann Foirne Óglaigh na hÉireann, an Leifteanant Ginearálta, Seán Clancy, ar imeacht ag Aeradróm Mhic Easmainn inniu le haghaidh Cheiliúradh 100 Bliain Aerchór na hÉireann.

 

Ag labhairt ar an lá, thréaslaigh agus mhol an tAire pearsanra uile an Aerchóir as a ndíograis, lena n-áirítear baill den 26ú agus 27ú Cúrsa Sciathán d’Oifigigh Óga ar bronnadh a sciatháin do phíolótaí Míleata orthu ag an imeacht.  Chomh maith leis sin, ghabh sé buíochas le pearsanra an Aerchóir as a seirbhís leanúnach i ngairm atá dúshlánach agus fiúntach.

San áireamh san imeacht bhí tareitilt d’aerárthaí an Aerchóir, agus tosaíodh trí Bhratach na hÉireann a thaispeáint.  Bhuail an tAire le pearsanra agus le teaghlaigh an Aerchóir agus léirigh gach duine spéis i dtaispeántas músaeim agus comóradh céad bliain an Aerchóir.

 

Bhí an méid seo a leans le rá ag an Aire Coveney, “Is imeacht speisialta é comóradh céad bliain Aerchór na hÉireann agus baineann tábhacht ar leith le ceiliúradh a dhéanamh inniu i ndiaidh dhá bhliain d’oibríochtaí suntasacha a bheith curtha i gcrích ag an Aerchóir thar ceann an Stáit.  Thacaigh gach duine agaibh leis an iarracht náisiúnta nuair a bhímid ag déileáil le héigeandáil náisiúnta agus tá sibh ag tacú le gníomhaíochtaí míleata ar bhonn leanúnach”.

 

D'admhaigh an tAire an infheistíocht san Aerchór atá ar siúl faoi láthair le soláthar dhá aerárthach patróil mhuirí nua ar chostas € 228m atá le seachadadh an bhliain seo chugainn. Tiocfaidh an dá aerárthach nua in ionad an dá aerárthaí patróil mhuirí CASA, a bhí i mbun seirbhíse ó 1994. Chomh maith lena ról faireachais mhuirí, soláthróidh na ceardaíocht aeir seo raon leathan seirbhísí lena n-áirítear tacaíocht lóistíochta agus iompar trúpaí agus trealamh, aslonnú leighis agus otharcharr aeir, cuardach agus tarrtháil agus ról fóntais ghinearálta.

 

Is léiriú é an infheistíocht seo in aerárthaí patróil mhuirí nua don Aerchór, atá mar bhonn taca ag an bPáipéar Bán Cosanta, agus tá tacaíocht ag an Roinn, ina léiriú ar thiomantas an Rialtais a chinntiú go leanann gach brainse d'Óglaigh na hÉireann ag coinneáil a Réimse cumais mhíleata thraidisiúnta sholúbtha chun na róil atá sannta a chomhlíonadh.

 

Bhí an méid seo a leanas le rá aige freisin, “Le 100 bliain anuas, is iomaí triail agus dúshlán a bhí le sárú againn agus is amhlaidh a bheidh, ach ciallaíonn díograis, uaillmhian agus deaslámhacht phearsanra an Aerchóir, go sárófar gach dúshlán. I measc mholtaí an Choimisiúin maidir le Todhchaí Óglaigh na hÉireann tá sraith moltaí a bhaineann go díreach le ról an Aerchóir.  Creidim gur ré dhearfach agus athraitheach don Aerchór é seo agus d’Óglaigh na hÉireann go ginearálta.”

 

 

CRÍOCH

 

 

Minister Coveney attends Air Corps 100th Anniversary Event

 

 

Minister for Defence, Mr Simon Coveney, T.D. and Defence Forces Chief of Staff, Lt General Seán Clancy attended an event at Casement Aerodrome today to mark the 100th Anniversary of the Irish Air Corps.

 

Speaking on the day, the Minister congratulated and commended all Air Corps personnel for their dedication, including members of the 26th and 27th Young Officer Wings Courses who received their Military pilot’s wings at the event.  He also thanked Air Corps personnel for their ongoing service in what can be a challenging and rewarding career.

 

The event included a flypast of Air Corps aircraft, commencing with the Irish Flag draped on display.  The Minister met Air Corps personnel and families while, the Air Corps museum and centenary exhibition provided an interesting focal point for all.

 

Minister Coveney commented, “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”.

 

The Minister acknowledged the investment in the Air Corps which is currently underway with the provision of two new Maritime Patrol Aircraft  at a cost of €228m which are due for delivery next year.

 

The two new aircraft will replace the two CASA 235 Maritime Patrol aircraft, which have been in service since 1994. In addition to their maritime surveillance role, these air craft will provide a wide range of services including logistics support and transport of troops and equipment, medical evacuation and air ambulance, search and rescue and a general utility role.

 

This investment in new Maritime Patrol Aircraft for the Air Corps, which is underpinned by the White Paper on Defence, and has been supported by the Department, is an indication of the Government’s commitment to ensuring that all branches of the Defence Forces continue to retain a range of flexible conventional military capabilities in order to meet the roles assigned.

 

Minister Coveney continued, “Over the last 100 years, we have faced many tests and challenges and will continue to do so, however with the drive, ambition and dexterity shown by Air Corps personnel, I know they will be met head on. Among the recommendations of the Commission on the Future of the Defence Forces are of course recommendations related directly to the role of the Air Corps.  I believe this is a positive and evolving time for the Air Corps and the Defence Forces in general.”

 

ENDS