Air Corps -

[Imshi-Yallah]

Air Guard sounds like something operating two Birdogs and a Kite over Swaziland!!!!!!!

[Imshi-Yallah]

Quote (p.diddy.cool @ 24 Nov. 2003,04:14)

hey gang, a very interesting debate indeed! Hey IMSHI are you ac management, if not you should be! although i dont think you are... pilot nco's id like that,..... ha ha ha.. some great idea's but i will admit my morale ac wise is rock bottom and i dont think it will recover.... but keep up the idea's they are good.. regards P.D.C

I think there might be a bit more to rejuvenating the corps than a good wishlist.
People should debate this kind of post rather than just passing general comments on its existence.
Thanks though

[FiannaFail]

I agree totally with Imshi's statement above.  As regards a possible name change I would be very much against any name with "Guard" in it as to the average citizen  would soon see us as the Gardai Air Wing rather than a part of the Defence Forces!! It has to be Aer Cosantóir na hÉireann for me.
Regards,
FiannaFail '>

[Silver]

Air Corps - The Future.

Discuss.


What is the future of the Air Corps ?

- Major organisational shake-up on the cards (warranted?) ?
- Will Baldonnel remain as it's HQ ? (move to Cork or Shannon) ?
- Will MATS and GASU go to civilian contractors ?
- Maritime Ops to Naval Service or Coast Guard ?

[Silver]

What ! No opinions guys ?


What got me thinking about this topic was when I was passing by Baldonnel yesterday (on the N7) and seeing how 'built-up' the general area is becoming.

Can the AC continue to operate aircraft to and from Bal over the ever increasing number of houses in the vicinity ?

Will they have to sell off Bal in 10-15 years and relocate to Shannon/Cork, or a purpose-built airbase in the midlands (or Galway) ?

[Imshi-Yallah]

Honestly and seriously we're completely fcked and there probably wont be an IAC in 10 years

[FiannaFail]

Sorry Silver,
Cant give you my time to reply to this impotant question just now.....on stand by.  Will give you my thoughts as soon as possible.
Cheers,
FiannaFail  

[Imshi-Yallah]

Alright when Morale is low its time to wishlist, and no one does it better than yer Uncle Imshi...

IAC-2010
Title: Military Aviation Command
Location:Shannon Airbase and maintenance facility: Bde Bases (theres should only be one major base for each bde), NS base as required.

Personnell: 900
50 Admin Personell
50 Officer Pilots
100 NCO Pilots
500 Technical Personnell
Reserve Personnel:
Reserve Pilots Officer 25 (ex. PDF, w Current operating experience)
Reserve Pilots NCO 25 (ditto)
Reserve Tech(ex PDF, w current operating experience)50
Reserve Support (Operational and peacetime Security, AD, non tech Flight Crew) 100.

Fleet:
1 Ops wing.
6x NH90 TTH
6x NH90 MPA/SAR (navalised, tactical grey)*
2x Twin Squirrel
4x AS 555CN

2 ops wing:
2x CN-235MPA
1x CN-235 TT/MATS
1x C-295

Auxhiliary Aviation force and Flight School:**
1x GIV
2x Cessna Caravan
6x Twin Squirrell
1x EC-145
8xPC-9m

3 ops wing***
18x F5E
6x F5F

5 Ops wing:(Reserve)
A Ground security element tasked with airfield defence and tactical ground support

*A Naval MLH should be maintained regardless of SAR contracts in order to support maritime security operations and fishery protection.
Surface radar equipped MLHs will also qualify for significant EU funding

**Notes the Auxhiliary fleet would primarily employ civilian contractors to provide air ambulance and Civil tasks on a nationwide basis, it also represents a means of centralising technical knowledge and experience  that would otherwise be dispersed when personnel seek civilian employment.
It would however share a common base and roster with military personnel for cost savings and planning synergy.
Further savings will arise from partial civilianisation of basic flying training, while the HUD equipped PC-9s would also be used for keeping up reserve pilot hours.

***Im a firm believer that fighters are the last thing that we need but they are something that we should have and I find their absence sickening.

A final note on NCO flying Personnel I believe that NCO pilots should be restricted to the operation of Light aircraft until such a point as they reach W01 status at which point talented individuals should face an accelerated CFR process.

Hope I didnt upset anyone

[Silver]

Some interesting points Imshi.
However, I'm not sure about the title 'Military Aviation Command' i.e. MAC  '>

[Imshi-Yallah]

Why not its got all the Key elements, Its clearly "military", unlike the current title, it demonstrates that the force is part of the army which believe it or not is a good thing, since it silences calls of "the army does nothing" or of "why do we need an independent Air Corps", it also reminds everybody involved that they are on the same team something that seems largely forgotten.
As for Command it sounds permanent and purposeful unlike Brigade or regiment or corps which sounds either puny or antiquated when co-established with words like air or aviation.
People will slag whatever title you choose, MAC is no worse than any other...
And lets see some fcker slagging the F-5E thats buzzing his house.