Irish Air Corps

10/06/2026

09/06/2026

PC-9M pilots of the Flying Training School have been training alongside radar controllers from 505 Squadron, practising identification of unfamiliar aircraft over Irish airspace.

The skills are ones that translate directly to real-world situations; making contact with and identifying an aircraft that has strayed into restricted airspace and escorting it clear, or responding to a crew in distress and guiding them safely to an alternate airfield.

The training forms part of a broader effort to ensure the Air Corps and wider Defence Forces is ready to fulfil its responsibilities as Ireland prepares to hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union later this year.

28/05/2026

Congratulations to the 80th Apprentice Class!

Today, Brigadier General Rory O'Connor, General Officer Commanding the Irish Air Corps and Director of Military Aviation, took the graduation parade of the 80th Apprentice Class at Casement Aerodrome.

After four years of intensive military, theoretical and practical training, including six months at the Military Training School and over 2,400 hours of lectures across 16 modules in the Technical Training School, these graduates have earned every moment of today's celebration.

Diplomas were presented by GOC Air Corps in recognition of their outstanding commitment and achievement. Graduates were also conferred with the Bachelor of Engineering Technology in Military Aviation Technology from Technological University Dublin.

Congratulations to the 80th Apprentice Class!🛠️✈️

28/05/2026

🎯 Congratulations to the Air Corps team who came first in the USP Team Competition at the Defence Forces Small Arms Shooting Competition. A brilliant display of skill. Well done to all involved! 🏆

22/05/2026

Congratulations to the 12th Recruit Platoon!🎖️

Today, the 12th Recruit Platoon passed out from the Joint Induction Training Centre, marking the completion of their initial military training and the beginning of their careers in the Defence Forces.

A special congratulations to the newest members of the Air Corps! Welcome to the team. ✈️

21/05/2026

Well done to all Irish Air Corps members who represented Óglaigh na hÉireann at Áras an Uachtaráin today. The standard of drill and turnout was a credit to every member who took part, and to the Defence Forces as a whole.

21/05/2026

This week, the crew of IRL286 completed a landmark mission, transporting a patient from Brussels to Ireland following specialist medical treatment, at the request of the HSE.

The mission marked the first time an Irish Air Corps Airbus C295 has completed an aeromedical transfer. Given the extraordinary and time-critical circumstances, special certification was obtained for the carriage of specialist medical equipment, including an incubator, enabling the crew to meet the challenge at short notice.

The C295 was identified by the HSE as the only aircraft in Ireland capable of conducting this mission. The crew were joined on board by teams from the National Neonatal Transport Programme (NNTP) and the Mobile Intensive Care Ambulance Service (MICAS), who accompanied the patient throughout the journey, ensuring specialist medical care from Brussels to Ireland.

The experience gained will contribute directly to working towards a future aeromedical capability declaration on the Airbus C295, adding to the Air Corps' established aeromedical mission profile across the fleet.

15/05/2026

Today at Casement Aerodrome, the Minister for Defence, Helen McEntee TD, accompanied by the Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Rossa Mulcahy, presented commissions to the 43rd Wings Course Class and the 1st Air Traffic Cadet Class.

The ceremony marks the commissioning of the inaugural Air Traffic Cadet Class alongside the latest cohort of pilot cadets. The nine new officers have completed a demanding 19-month programme of military, academic, and specialist training, taking them from the Cadet School at the Curragh to the Flying Training School at Baldonnel, and, for the Air Traffic Cadet, on to FTE Jerez in southern Spain.

Brigadier General Rory O'Connor, General Officer Commanding the Air Corps, said: "Today's ceremony marks not only the commissioning of another Wings Course Class, but a significant first for the Air Corps with the commissioning of our inaugural Air Traffic Cadet Class. Both groups have shown the dedication, discipline, and professionalism required of an officer of the Defence Forces, and I have every confidence in the contribution they will make to the Air Corps, the wider Defence Forces, and the State."

The newly commissioned officers of the 43rd Wings Course Class will now progress to the Young Officers Wings Course. The 1st Air Traffic Cadet Class Officer will continue unit training at Casement Aerodrome toward the award of the Aerodrome Controllers Licence.

09/05/2026

Congratulations to our Irish Air Corps members who today represented the Defence Forces at the Frontline BJJ Championship in Aldershot, UK, hosted by British Army Jiu-Jitsu. 🇮🇪🥋

Competing alongside frontline services and veterans from across the UK and Ireland, our personnel delivered outstanding performances across both Gi and No-Gi divisions.

🏅 Cpl Jamie Martin – Middleweight
🥉 Gi Bronze
🥉 No-Gi Bronze

🏅 Cpl Jordan Nesbitt – Lightweight
🥉 Gi Bronze
🥈 No-Gi Silver

🏅 FQ Josh Coughlan – Light Heavyweight
🥈 Gi Silver
🥉 No-Gi Bronze

The team was also joined and supported by friends from Dublin Fire Brigade, who took part in the competition throughout the weekend.

Well done to all competitors for representing their organisations with professionalism, determination, and sportsmanship both on and off the mats.

08/05/2026

Congratulations to the latest 8 members of the Irish Air Corps who officially passed out today in Custume Barracks, Athlone.

A proud milestone marking the beginning of their careers in military aviation and service to the State. Wishing them every success as they take the next step in their journey. 🇮🇪✈️