Munster Match

[BANDIT]

I am having a kids birthday at the house next week do u think I might get the Heli to deliver the icec ream

[Scorpy]

So it weighs half next to nothing then. Sometimes it's an advantage!

[spike]

(bloody thing weighs half as much as I do).

but scorpy you weigh next to nothing

[getthejobdone]

what a load of cock......

1 minute to get two lads on the ground, i saw the RAF put 40 T/A lads on the ground in the same time,

this was not a tactical approach? you must watch to much tv, with your 40 troops in one minute, it takes 4-5 seconds to get one troop on the ground, and thats with 4 ropes deployed, so the 40 troops you seen must of fell out of the heli? the air corps were requested to deliver the ball, and they accepted the offer, a little bit of pr goes a long way.they wanted the public to see what was going on with the heli, and give them time to take photos....... stop watching them war films?????

[Scorpy]

Right, I've had enough.

1. GTCC reel your head in. Money aint that tight yet and the 139s are well within their budget to allow a mission of this nature to occur. It isn't going to stop any courses to fall by the wayside.

2. Generally great observations by all. Yes the mission was not representative of what the aircraft can do. For a start, they used one rope, not four. They used one crewman, not two. The arm can take two at a time. Therefore eight guys in the air at once. The reason for two has already been mentioned, to get the rope off the pitch (bloody thing weighs half as much as I do). It was never going to be a capability demonstration. As can be seen on the videos, the troops didn't hang around. I believe the figure is around eight guys in fifteen seconds but I stand to be corrected. Timing for the misson was everything and I think they got that pretty much right.

It was a PR mission. Plain and simple. It had the desired effect. The risk assesment prior to the mission was extensive and took into account the problems with placing a helicopter into close proximity with 20 odd thousand people in a fully confined area BY NIGHT, doing a mission that it could not break away from in a hurry. The ground staff from the park, the gardai and the liasion staff on the ground did a fantastic job. What you didn't see would make you cringe.

Feedback from Sarsfield is good in that it will positively reinforce their recruitment.

Feedback from other souces indicates that at least people are aware of the capabilities of the DF in general. God help them if they are on the recieving end of a real fast rope mission. They may be in trouble.

I was very impressed by the image created. I enjoyed the match more than the build up, but as was put by the commentators (paraphrase) 'whoever choreographed this should be working for the superbowl"

Come on guys. The lads do what they are told and as is evident, do it well and do it safely. If it had not been for a few cameras at the lift in Wicklow, people may never have known about it. What makes it into the papers or even up here is no real perspective into what the Air Corps are capable of.

[Jetjock]

Mutter,
I do just fine at parties, thanks for asking.....

Just like a homing pigeon as I recall!! Damn those Tipperary taxi drivers!

[GoneToTheCanner]

Mutter,
I do just fine at parties, thanks for asking.....I don't object to PR, even expensive PR, as long as it comes from a specific PR fund and not from the general Air Corps budget.Long after this event is over, someone will lose a slot on a course or even spares or kit, as a result of funds being spent on this. I served in the place thru several "cutbacks" periods and know first hand what happens when funds get squeezed.Favoured projects get looked after and the rest of the fleet and the personnel have to make do with less and less.Frankly, if the rugby community, or anyone else want the DF to show off, they can pay for it.
rant concluded
GttC

[Hello Alaska]

i agree with the idea of PR for the DF, but one Heli looks rediculous....

and fast ropin two bods is embarrassing they could have had a section of so, that would have looked better, with two lads they should parachuetd in....

The lads are very busy this time of year.

Chances are the 2 bods were all they could spare.

[happenin]

So ya, what about that game of rugby? wow. one of the most intense exciting games i've watched in a very long time.

[Goldie fish]

I'm sure the lads in Chad were chuffed to see an Air Corps helicopter in action, delivering a rugby ball.

I'm sure they were. They got to watch the game live.

[easyrider]

I'm sure the lads in Chad were chuffed to see an Air Corps helicopter in action, delivering a rugby ball.

[Duffer]

I dont know enough to comment on the use of the DF by the Minister in LImerick for political ends but the match last week was not just a Limerick issue, it was Munster and the whole country. I dont condone the use of state assets for political ends in any shape or form.

The general idea that i was trying to get across is that the DF should use such events that had such a large and diverse audience both in the ground and on TV etc to say "look what we can do on your behalf" Some people on this board have commented that there was not enough soliders on the ground. It was a display of military skill not force. If the Air Corp can drop two soliders carrying a ball then then can drop twenty carrying weapons if need be or drop a small team onto the roof of building that is being held by terrorists etc.

The RAF have flown aircraft against the Top Gear drivers in "races" Nobody would suggest that a car can beat a Harrier in a race but it is entertaining, raises the profile of the military, and gives the military a chance to shows its aquired skills to a wide audience.

I know that RDF/PDF recruitment is stalled but if it were not, then the local RDF unit could have had a recruitment stand at the match last week. After the Air Corp display It would have been good marketing. I am sure that the IRFU would have had no objection. It might show some local youths that there is an intresting way to spend time if not a whole career.

The Navy have twined their ships with cities/hospitals etc and the crew open the ships sometimes when they visit those cities. That is good PR. That was the thrust of my post. Good PR can pay dividends in the long run. The cost of the fuel for the flight last Saturday was money weel spent.

[lordinajamjar]

Nice touch.

The defense forces should do stuff like this more often to increase public awareness.

I wonder how many fans left for home that night with some new found pride after seeing a couple of their own soldiers doing some cool stuff in their home town after dropping in from the sky aboard a modern military flying machine. How many youngsters did it fire up to want to join the military?

The average citizen doesn't know how small the army is or how little equipment is available. To them it just comes down to a good feel factor and something above the mundane to talk about. Next time though they might be expecting a grander show. Public opinion can definitely help open the coffers a little wider when future defense budgets are handed out.

It was definitely a good move.

[Docman]

I dont agree that it was a waste of time or money. For one reason it was the offical opening of a fantastic stadium which deserves to be recognised. Secondly Limerick could do with a morale boost of any sort. Thirdly, The DF must maket their abilities to the general public to get rid of a public perception of out of date praticies. in a restricted economy as we have today the DF will have to fight for funding with a whole range of services so it does not harm to market itself when it can.

Duffer, In Limerick, Wee Willie is know for his generosity with the DF, volunteering them for every and any event that will generate good PR for Him and get him re-elected. He treats the DF as his own personal re-election tool, gladly putting on shows and giving away land with absolutely no return to the DF. It has demoralised the units in Limerick as they are becoming no more than Willies Personal Cheerleading squad.

This is the first time I have actually seen them get on National TV doing one of Willies pet projects. It will generate good PR for the army, but that was not the intention - it was designed to generate good PR for Willie.

[mcdid]

Hi all. First time posting, long time observer. In regards to the speed of delivery trust me, those guys can exit an aircraft exceptionally fast. Not getting into any operational aspects but i have seen practice fast roping exercises where the seated capacity of the 139 has exited the aircraft well within your "minute", sub 30 seconds no less. But that's neither here nor there. In regards to the 139 and the speed it entered and deployed its ropes...it was not an operational or even training deployment. There was no need for a fast approach or deployment. The guys had all the time in the world and thus used it appropriately, safety first, and gave the civilians, who don't have the same biased views we do, a real treat!
True, these capabilities on a large scale are only recently being explored and practiced but as was said its small steps first and realistically the ARW are the only unit going to be using this method anyway!
The reason that there where only two of the guys (and this is from the horses mouth) is that they just could not spare anymore bodies. Those two guys literally ran straight through the tunnel after landing and presenting the ball and got straight into a jeep and roared off "on a job". We were lucky to be rendered their services and fair play to them.
Im sure to the connesouers(spell check) out there it was not to every bodies liking as it is impossible as we all know to please everyone all the time, but as the exercise was intended as a mark of respect and aimed at a largely (and innocently) ignorant civilian audience i think that in that capacity it succeeded and even surpassed its PR value. Indeed all i could hear being mentioned at the time was comments like, "Jaysus boy, fair play to em", or "did ya see that lad, bloody brits have arrived, cause as sure as hell they aint ours". Point being there was no bad in the display and nothing but good can come from it. Well done to all involved and i look forward to posting regularly with you guys.
Cheers
Did