Marchetti's flying CAP over Dublin today

[n-e-foo]

A quick feature was just on TV3 within the last 5 minutes with regard to this. It was officially confirmed that a Marchetti was on CAP, with orders to shoot down any aircraft that were a threat.

The report mentioned the Air Corps have no capability to shoot down, let alone investigate any jet aircraft who were a threat. And went on to say the RAF would have to be brought in for this.

There were quick glimpses of a pilot strapping into a Fouga and the cockpit of the Casa (I think)

.....

[FiannaFail]

Now do you believe me folks!!!
FiannaFail

[FiannaFail]

I must say I have a soft spot for the Marchetti.....pity they cannot be retained as Basic Flight Training Aircraft with the PC-9M's being used as Advanced Flight Trainign Aircraft!
FiannaFail '>

[P.Doff]

Thank GOD for that News item!!! Its about time that the whole country knows how underequipped we are!! Maybe now the government will sit up and take note!!!
By the way, the F-15's on CAP were more than likely involved in a big combat search and rescue excercise that was taking place over the Irish sea and Welsh training area's last week!!!
There were NOTAMS published to this effect letting all pilots know that as they put it 'aircraft will be performing high-energy manuveres and breaking the rules of the air'!!!

[Guinness]

P. Doff,
more of these items where mentioned on the news over the last years and it hasn't realy helped the IAC so far.

It looks like the people doesn't give a *** about the forces.
The goverment is chosen by the people so if they want to make a differance the whole public opinion has to change.
The question is...... who will help to change the public opinion.

Maybe if the IAC shows what it does for the community it'll help.

E.g.  the Belgians had a problem with getting helicoptercrews.
They made a TV series called "Windkracht 10" ( windforce 10) about the work of No. 40 ( SAR) sqn.
It was a soap-like series but after that a lot of people applied for a job there.

Also I realy think that airshows will get the public opinion changed.

Guinness

[FiannaFail]

Excellent point Guinness especially with the Euro and local government elections coming up in June. As I have mentioned before we need to start a campaign here and now with all political parties.  You coukld even do your bit as a good european....why don't you write to the Irish Embassy in The Hague re your concerns about Ireland's lack of air defence and how other western european countries are left exposed on the western flank as a result. It would be interesting exercise as they would have to feed back this information to Dublin. And if you could organise a lobby group for this purpose. Wow you could be catalist for change in our Defence Policy.  We would behind you 101%!!
FiannaFail :'>