Air Corps Organisation
The Air Corps comprises of a headquarters element exercising command and control over six operational, support and training units. These six sub units consist of two Operational Wings (No. 1 & No. 3 Operations Wings), two Support Wings (No. 4 & No. 5 Support Wings), a Communication & Information Services Squadron and the Air Corps College.
Air Corps Headquarters
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
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 currently operates a total of ten 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
- Military transport
No. 3 Operations Wing
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.
The wing currently operates a total of nine aircraft, with four Agusta Bell 139’s on order due to be delivered over a period from mid 2006 to mid 2007. 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
- Ministerial Air Transport Service
No. 4 Support Wing
No. 4 Support Wing carries out scheduled second line maintenance on all Air Corps aircraft. Including responsibility for all avionic related maintenance, procurement and management of spare parts and aviation fuel management and supply.
The roles include:
- Procurement and management of spare parts
- Fuel management
- Aviation Electronics maintenance
No. 5 Support Wing
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.
Typical roles include:
- Base administration, security & maintenance
- Logistics
- Transport
- Medical Services
- Air Traffic Control services
- Crash Rescue Services
Communications & Information Services Squadron
Communication & Information Squadron (CIS) is responsible for the maintenance and supply of all ground based communications, navigation, radar and Information Technology systems.
Typical roles include:
- Air to ground communications
- Information Systems Management
- Ground to ground radio communications
- Telephone system management
Air Corps College
The Air Corps College is main training unit within the Air Corps. The college is sub divided into three separate schools, Flying Training School (FTS), Technical Training School (TTS) and Military Training School (MTS), each fulfilling its own specific training role. The college also currently operates a total of eight aircraft and one simulator. In addition, the college is responsible for first line maintenance of all aircraft assigned to it.
Typical roles include:
- Basic, advanced & instructor pilot training
- Apprenticeships & higher technical training
- Basic military & military leadership training
- Information Technology training