Baldonnel runway damaged

[pym]

Already posted in news section, but I think it's worthy of discussion here

The Defence Forces has confirmed that one of the runways at Baldonnel Airport has been vandalised.
A number of pock marks were discovered on the runway during a routine inspection this morning.
It is understood the runway was damaged overnight and is closed pending an investigation.
Flight schedules have not been affected and the other runway remains open.
Gardaí and the Military Police are investigating the incident.
A Defence Forces spokesman said a full security review is under way at the aerodrome.

http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0403/baldonnel.html

Obviously don't want to thread near OPSEC and it's a given that the thugs responsible are reading this forum.

A few weeks ago I was messing around on Google Maps/Streetview and looking at the site - one gate looked like an obvious avenue of entry, but I guess they could have cut their way in instead.

Morons anyway, could have damaged an aircraft involved in the search operation for the guys off Dublin, I hope they're proud - and I hope they went to bed content that they'd really affected those thousands of US military rendition flights into Baldonnel.

Time to post a battalion to Abbeyshrule?

[undercover]

Aledged flights. ... I never witnessed any..........your honour....

[expat01]

This is a little bit beyond serious. 'Review security'? Time to implement some, by the sound of things. When any toerag can walk onto the base, someone has clearly let things slip... don't let it get as bad as here in South Africa where the military has to hire private security like the rest of us!

[DeV]

what is meant by pock marks?

[Goldie fish]

May I be so bold as to suggest if the runway was in use on a 24 hour basis this might not have happened?
Another part of me is wondering what possible motivation there is for this act? If the perimiter cannot be secured due to incursion from neighbouring industrial buildings, is it time to move from Casement Aerodrome?

[Brian McGrath]

I saw on the boards forum on Aviation where it was suggested that the damage may have been caused by lightning strikes as there was a severe thunder storm in that area yesterday evening, several large bolts of lightning were seen around Baldonnell, cant understand if its vandalism how come it has not been on any of the TV news.

Here is a link on Lightning damage to airport runway

http://www.mmail.com.my/content/3544...ghts-disrupted

[Mad P]

I heard from an engineer up baldonell they're doing stress tests on the runway.
From what i can gather it's partly because of larger planes, but also as an alternative
spot for Mr Obamas 747 to land...

To get to the point they could have got in as engineers 'testing' the runway!

[Craghopper]

what is meant by pock marks?

[Hornet]

but also as an alternative
spot for Mr Obamas 747 to land...
!

A 747 could never land at Bal due to the runways being too short ....

[Brian McGrath]

Another bit on lightning damage on runways

The runway of an international airport on the west coast of India was struck by lightning three times in succession at the rate of once every year. On two occasions the runway proper was damaged, and on the third the road around the periphery of the runway was cracked and a coconut tree burnt. A part of the runway was built on an embankment of a height varying from 30 to 40 m, and the periphery road was close to the embankment. The strategic importance of the runway and the fact that the vegetation around the embankment provided a sacrificial protection led to making a study of the cause of the problem of lightning strike and working out a solution. That solution consisted of providing suitable lightning protection conforming to international and national standards for the runway.

[Rhodes]

A 747 could never land at Bal due to the runways being too short ....

Yep,
You need alot more than 1800 meters for a 747/VC-25 to land and take off laden.

[sofa]

Pock marks. Sounds like the concrete was popped from the recent below zero

temperatures. like my driveway. ???

[Hornet]

Pock marks. Sounds like the concrete was popped from the recent below zero

temperatures. like my driveway. ???

The runways have a tarmacadam surface ...

Its looking more like a lightning strike by the hour...

[trellheim]

mmm AFAIK can't a 744 get off in less than 6000ft ? less than MTOW of course but that's a given.

[GoneToTheCanner]

The main runway in the Don is a mile long, give or take. It can just about accomodate a 737 or a 707. Not Air Force One.
regards
GttC