Inside the Irish Air Corps: The helicopters of No 3 Ops Wing

Feature

 

From airlifting premature babies to fighting fires and conducting anti-terrorism operations, the IAC’s No 3 Ops Wing has a diverse range of responsibilities. Josef Campion reports

Founded just two decades after the Wright brothers’ pioneering first flight, the Aer Chór na hÉireann (Irish Air Corps) took to the skies when aviation was still in its infancy.

AW139
The Augusta Westand 139 is the IACs main rotary-wing platform, playing a diverse role in the defence of the country.  Key- Josef Campion

The No 3 Ops Wing – which has its genesis in 1963 – was tasked with pioneering a new capability on behalf of Ireland: rotary flight.

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Originally published in Key.Aero