Near term overseas operation?

[Spark23]

No point in wasting limited funds on replacing the cessnas just for the sake of it, their mission doesn't exist anymore no real requirement for their replacement or proposed replacement, time for the state and the air corps to move away from light aircraft and helicopters and move to larger more versatile airframes! A lot of the roles the Cessna's performed could probably be better served uav's thinking along the lines of a uav's battery with the artillery corps which operates the uav's for atcp type roles along with its military mission

[DeV]

There are still prisoner and explosives escorts (and a small number of cash). They also do a number of ATCA missions. A slightly larger better equipped aircraft to take on these and similar missions and carry them out more effectively. They could also support army conventional ops (at home and overseas) more effectively. A manned aircraft is more versatile than a UAV.

[morpheus]

No point in wasting limited funds on replacing the cessnas just for the sake of it, their mission doesn't exist anymore no real requirement for their replacement or proposed replacement, time for the state and the air corps to move away from light aircraft and helicopters and move to larger more versatile airframes! A lot of the roles the Cessna's performed could probably be better served uav's thinking along the lines of a uav's battery with the artillery corps which operates the uav's for atcp type roles along with its military mission

an indigenously developed UAV with indigenous technology perchance!?!

[GoneToTheCanner]

reinvention of the wheel more like....saw a cash escort today as it happens....plenty of open fields in Ireland to play heli-soldiers-at-war....there's a well-known ex-Harrier pilot who could give them all the gen they want about roughing it in the field. If he could operate a det of four Harriers from a field...

[Heligun]

Rumour that Ireland will not commit to sending troops to Mali as there is no in theatre support, meaning helis , yet we have 6 139 here begging to be used.

[Heligun]

Rumour, there will be no large contingent posted to Mali as there aren't enough in theatre assets = helicopters!! We have 5 AW139s perfect for the role doing nothing (1 for HEMS). Sad.

[Scorpy]

Of course they won't but with a EU or NATO op, we have to pay the bill

With the UN, it is a wet lease I think




Let's baby step:
1. Forward deploy say 2 helos to Waterford or Knock as part of an army ex (eg Capstone that is normally a coy gp level ex as part of MOWAG Cmdr Cse), for a few days

2. Forward deploy to a green field site (again 2 helos for a few days as part of an army ex) to the DFTC/Glen/Kilworth

3. Then look at deploying on overseas ex (initial step probably as part of EUBG (and then a commitment to provide helos for an deployment)), why the EUBG? It unlikely to be deployed

Then look at an actual ex

When I say forward deployed by the way, I mean the helo deploys with techs, equipment, fuel, etc etc. The helo and personnel (including pilots) stay on the site with the helo (or don't return to the Don at 1600 hrs every night (or stay in a hotel).

1. It has been done.

2. It has been done.

3. It was ready and DoD said no. No 3 were prepared for EX HOTBIRD for at least 2 consecutive years with full plans and logistics support and the civil servants said no. This was possibly one of the main reasons why so many of the senior instructors and officers decided that the system was never going to take them or their efforts seriously and went 'wild geese'

[Scorpy]

Apologies, heligun beat me to it.
Failed to read all responses. Ain't been here in a while.

But in fairness Dev, thought you might have been better informed.

[Jetjock]

3. It was ready and DoD said no. No 3 were prepared for EX HOTBIRD...

Hopefully the deployment wasnt turned down because someone put "HOTBIRD" instead of its actual name HOT BLADE on the application forms.

A hot bird while definitely worthy of a trip to Portugal, is probably not sufficient justification for bringing a helicopter with you.

[Scorpy]

Aha. I stand corrected. But no less correct. And I'd bet the photos would love ex hots lapper.

[meridian]

Knew of participation in one of the Hot Blade exercises (Portugal 2013) being pulled, but wasn't aware that another one didn't see the light of day either.

Hopefully with the spirit of the new WP, the 2016 exercise mightn't be out of the question. It's even in Finland, so it could be put down as a 'fellow neutral' EUBG partner, and belated trip to see Santy type of thing?

A hot bird while definitely worthy of a trip to Portugal, is probably not sufficient justification for bringing a helicopter with you.

But would bringing your whirlybird with you on the trip not increase your chances with her exponentially?

[Turkey]

New thread started, as I think this warrants a separate discussion.

http://forum.irishmilitaryonline.com/showthread.php?25926-Not-a-good-idea

[hptmurphy]

Technically the AC could be deployed without ever having to commit aircraft...air traffic controllers as part of any group.

[ropebag]

Technically the AC could be deployed without ever having to commit aircraft...air traffic controllers as part of any group.

i'd like to see the Cabinets reaction to that proposal for a deployment... the term 'useless bunch of cnuts' would, i fear, be the most charitable phrase used.

[Turkey]

i'd like to see the Cabinets reaction to that proposal for a deployment... the term 'useless bunch of cnuts' would, i fear, be the most charitable phrase used.

That would be rich, coming from a "useless bunch of cnuts"