A Role For The Air Corp

Rockdolphin

The Air Corp thread seems to be getting a bit heated, time to lighten up a bit. Check this out for a role the air corp could fulfil : SADIRELAND

Pherekydes

We don't have an Air Corp.

Rockdolphin

Guess it's just our imaginations then :rolleyes:

Pherekydes

What is?

darkman2

Eh we do have an air corps albeit under resourced.

danniemcq

ffffS not more of this ****e

Blowfish

danniemcq wrote:

ffffS not more of this ****e

Yeah, this is getting almost as bad as the 911 conspiracy crap.

testicle

The roles of the Air Corps, as defined by the Government, are defined as follows.

Primary Roles

In Support of the Army
* Observation and Reconnaissance
* Local Fire Support
* Command and Control
* Limited Tactical Mobility and Logistic Support
* Casualty Evacuation

In Support of the Naval Service
* Maritime Surveillance and Defence
* National Security
* Economic Zone Surveillance
* Protection of Natural Resources

In Aid to the Civil Power
* Maintaining and flying Garda Support Unit Aircraft
* Observation Reconnaissance and Search Operations
* Photographic Reconnaissance
* Industrial Explosives Escorts
* Prisoner Escorts
* Cash Escorts
* Protection of Airspace Operations

Secondary Roles

Aid to the Civil Community
* Search and Rescue
* Air Ambulance
* Island Relief
* Snow Relief

Aid to Government Departments
* Ministerial Air Transport Service
* Internal Transport of Ministers
* Pollution Surveys
* Forest and Wildlife Surveys
* Aerial Photography
* Civil ATC Co-operation
* Major Disaster Plans


Any questions? No? Ok, let's move on, and close the thread!

Rockdolphin

Aye aye sir, lighten up for christs sake !

IrishAirCorps

why dont you take it seriously? were the laughing joke of europe.

Blowfish

IrishAirCorps wrote:

why dont you take it seriously? were the laughing joke of europe.

If we are the joke of europe, why don't you relax and laugh at it then?

danniemcq

IrishAirCorps wrote:

why dont you take it seriously? were the laughing joke of europe.

go on shut up, i've never met a tourist that laughed at me for our air force has anyone else?

Rockdolphin

Yup, in the event of a hijacked plane over Ireland we can send up the garda helicopter and have a dectective hang out of it with an uzi. You got to laugh about it

IrishAirCorps

arseholes every last one of you.

danniemcq

IrishAirCorps wrote:

arseholes every last one of you.

takes one to know one

Blowfish

IrishAirCorps wrote:

arseholes every last one of you.

Do you not begin to wonder about how the vast majority here don't actually believe the Irish Air Corps should be invested in hugely? It's a pretty representative section of the Irish population.

Sauron

IrishAirCorps wrote:

arseholes every last one of you.

Ah now c'mon... if we can't laugh at ourselves, we deserve to be laughed at. Defence and Military development is hardly at the forefront of the Irish agenda, nor does it need to be...

lol, when I think of the Aircorps, I can't help but imagine a hangar in the middle of nowhere with one solitary plane sitting inside with cobwebs growing on it... and one very bored looking pilot, just bouncing a ball against the wall...

makes me smile :rolleyes:

Dooom

Sauron wrote:

lol, when I think of the Aircorps, I can't help but imagine a hangar in the middle of nowhere with one solitary plane sitting inside with cobwebs growing on it... and one very bored looking pilot, just bouncing a ball against the wall...

makes me smile

Lol, yeah me too.

Rockdolphin

Blowfish wrote:

Do you not begin to wonder about how the vast majority here don't actually believe the Irish Air Corps should be invested in hugely? It's a pretty representative section of the Irish population.

I personally believe we should have some credible air defence assests which we certainly don't have. Ireland has gone from a nation riddled with insecurity, but with an ability to not take ourselves too serious to the total opposite. We've now got a totally over inflated view of ourselves with our heads so far up our arses we can't see the shamrock from the weeds. Our lamentable air defence for one. We totally rely on the RAF for air security as we always have done, but rage at our imperial neighbour and shout about our nuetrality when we could not even defend ourselfs against a WW11 biplane !

But lighten up, it's always been like this and when the Celtic Tiger ups and runs away lets not have lost our sense of humour along with so many other things we've lost in recent years

DublinWriter

testicle wrote:

The roles of the Air Corps, as defined by the Government, are defined as follows.

Key words in that phrase being 'as defined by the Government'.

Air Corps? Air Corpse more like. We depend on the RAF for primary air-to-air defence in our own airspace and an outsourced Canadian company for our air to sea rescue.

All the Air Corps are used for these days is to ferry some bloated Minister down to the opening of a new branch of Centra\Spar\Gala\Londis in their constituency.

...just as the role of the Heath Service 'as defined by the Government' is the care of patients, forget about the pissing away of just over €131 million by Michael Martin on over a dozen ignored Management Consultancy reports.

…and P-Pars? €150 million.

…and E-Voting? €160 million.

…and are you feeling angry yet? Probably not.

Forget all that Celtic Tiger stuff, we're still the Banana Republic we always were. This time around we think that the gloss of cappuccinos, paninis, BMWs and having John Rocca designed credit-cards makes us more sophisticated and European, but only shows us up all the more as being the pig-thick and complacent Paddies we always were.

darkman2

Blowfish wrote:

Do you not begin to wonder about how the vast majority here don't actually believe the Irish Air Corps should be invested in hugely? It's a pretty representative section of the Irish population.

The majority of the population is stupid then. Does it take a terrorist attack for ppl to wake up and realise the world is not milk and honey? We need an adequate level of defence.

darkman2

Personally mate I dont give a sh*t about any of that. 150 million is nothing to this economy. Whilst bad management that should be remembered. And no, we are not a defeatest bananna republic anymore. We should be damned proud of our acheivements and pulling ourselves out of the gutter. Now enough of this rubbish and lets just invest in the defence forces for our own security

DublinWriter wrote:

Key words in that phrase being 'as defined by the Government'.

Air Corps? Air Corpse more like. We depend on the RAF for primary air-to-air defence in our own airspace and an outsourced Canadian company for our air to sea rescue.

All the Air Corps are used for these days is to ferry some bloated Minister down to the opening of a new branch of Centra\Spar\Gala\Londis in their constituency.

...just as the role of the Heath Service 'as defined by the Government' is the care of patients, forget about the pissing away of just over €131 million by Michael Martin on over a dozen ignored Management Consultancy reports.

…and P-Pars? €150 million.

…and E-Voting? €160 million.

…and are you feeling angry yet? Probably not.

Forget all that Celtic Tiger stuff, we're still the Banana Republic we always were. This time around we think that the gloss of cappuccinos, paninis, BMWs and having John Rocca designed credit-cards makes us more sophisticated and European, but only shows us up all the more as being the pig-thick and complacent Paddies we always were.

Sauron

Does it take a terrorist attack for ppl to wake up and realise the world is not milk and honey?

Now enough of this rubbish and lets just invest in the defence forces for our own security

Aside from the unlikelihood of Ireland being selected as a terrorist target as opposed to far larger military and global political players, how do you think that increasing our defence budget will prevent terrorist attacks?

The USA had a fairly large defence budget already in 2001. Terrorist attacks are near impossible to prevent unless with intelligence and sharing thereof, and even then they can slip through the net. No Aircorps is going to stop a car bomb on Stephen's Green, even if that was ever to happen. Terrorism can not be fought with an Army on your own soil.

Do you really think we need to spend large sums on our defence budget? The only scenario I can see that being helpful in is one of an all out Military attack (even more unlikely) in which case, we have, as was mentioned, the RAF, also NATO, the UN, and the various forces being developed under the European Security and Defence Policy to come to our aid.

As it stands, we have adequate defence for the current circumstances.

Pherekydes

Lads, lads, you've all gone off topic. The OP was talking about the Air Corp.

Now let's get back on topic...

darkman2

Sauron wrote:

Aside from the unlikelihood of Ireland being selected as a terrorist target as opposed to far larger military and global political players, how do you think that increasing our defence budget will prevent terrorist attacks?

The USA had a fairly large defence budget already in 2001. Terrorist attacks are near impossible to prevent unless with intelligence and sharing thereof, and even then they can slip through the net. No Aircorps is going to stop a car bomb on Stephen's Green, even if that was ever to happen. Terrorism can not be fought with an Army on your own soil.

Do you really think we need to spend large sums on our defence budget? The only scenario I can see that being helpful in is one of an all out Military attack (even more unlikely) in which case, we have, as was mentioned, the RAF, also NATO, the UN, and the various forces being developed under the European Security and Defence Policy to come to our aid.

As it stands, we have adequate defence for the current circumstances.

We shouldnt have to depend on anyone for our defence. And dont spout out the 'nuetrality' line either. Not worth the paper its written on. I think its time for some ppl in this country to grow up. Finland and Switzerland, countries of similar size and wealth are well able to defend themselves. Britain can look after its own affairs and we will look after ours. How about that? The air corps is a vital part of this.

OH SO WE HAVE NATO NOW DO WE?!? Ha what a laugh. Neutral when it suits eh? Proof neutrality is a pathetic con-job. An excuse for a spineless race.

danniemcq

Grow up? ummm no but hey there are a few things about Finland and Switzerland your forgetting. As i said before about switzerland they take military matters seriously eg: they still have conscription and i think you have to spend 2 weeks in the milatry a year. (note i could be wrong on that but AFAIK thats how they work*) they also have runways crossing roads like other countrys have train track crossings on theirs. everyone has a gun it seems and not the little pea shooters i'm on about full assault rifle style.

/edit

the Swiss Constitution states that "every Swiss male is obliged to do military service"; every Swiss male has to serve for at least 260 days in the armed forces; 19 years of age for compulsory military service; 17 years of age for voluntary military service; conscripts receive 15 weeks of compulsory training, followed by 10 intermittent recalls for training over the next 22 years; women are accepted on a voluntary basis but are not drafted (2005)

from http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/sz.html#Military

and Finland, the country threatened by the Russia for so many years not to mention their natural resources and stratigic advantage they could give need some defence. Plus being friends with Sweeden who make Saab saved them a bit up until 92 when they got their hornets plus ffffS they spend 2% of their GDP on military puposes we spend 0.9%.

Before we get a super de dooper Air Force can we sort out our roads, hopitals, schools, houses, play areas..... etc etc etc yadda yadda yadda.

OH LOOK I CAN SHOUT TOO!

Slutmonkey57b

DublinWriter wrote:

Forget all that Celtic Tiger stuff, we're still the Banana Republic we always were. This time around we think that the gloss of cappuccinos, paninis, BMWs and having John Rocca designed credit-cards makes us more sophisticated and European, but only shows us up all the more as being the pig-thick and complacent Paddies we always were.

Hear Hear

Rockdolphin

DublinWriter wrote:

Forget all that Celtic Tiger stuff, we're still the Banana Republic we always were. This time around we think that the gloss of cappuccinos, paninis, BMWs and having John Rocca designed credit-cards makes us more sophisticated and European, but only shows us up all the more as being the pig-thick and complacent Paddies we always were.

With you there, great to see the economy in better shape than it was and all that, but boy what a conceited bunch of assholes we've become.

BendiBus

darkman2 wrote:

Finland and Switzerland, countries of similar size and wealth are well able to defend themselves.

Against who? I mean that in comparative terms. They'd win a fight against some attackers, not against others.

In an Irish context, we need to define our potential enemies and construct our defences appropriately.

Would the supporters of an enhanced Air Corps care to identify the potential threats and the required air defences so we can have a proper starting point for discussion.

"Terrorism" is a bit vague. Hijacked aircraft being used as a weapon? You could barely scramble an F16 in the time it takes to cross the island of Ireland in a commercial airliner. The interception of hijacked aircraft is a bit of waffle to try to reassure the public. As I pointed out in the other thread, when that Ryanair got diverted to Prestwick a couple of weeks ago, it was told to orbit until the RAF could catch up with it!

So, now, what are the PRACTICAL requirements of our air corps?

BendiBus

DublinWriter wrote:

Forget all that Celtic Tiger stuff, we're still the Banana Republic we always were. This time around we think that the gloss of cappuccinos, paninis, BMWs and having John Rocca designed credit-cards makes us more sophisticated and European, but only shows us up all the more as being the pig-thick and complacent Paddies we always were.

Can you put some specifics to that? I agree that there are some negative aspects to our recent economic success but I fail to see your point. It sounds like typical old Irish begrudgery tbh.

I have a comfortable income and I prefer coffee & panini to milk & spuds. Does that make me a pig-thick complacent Paddy

Basically I think your post was a crock of ****.

Slutmonkey57b

BendiBus wrote:

Can you put some specifics to that? I agree that there are some negative aspects to our recent economic success but I fail to see your point. It sounds like typical old Irish begrudgery tbh.

I have a comfortable income and I prefer coffee & panini to milk & spuds. Does that make me a pig-thick complacent Paddy

Basically I think your post was a crock of ****.

No - it means that Irish people are confusing paninis and money with cultural development. Irish people are materially better off but still culturally decrepid

BendiBus

DublinWriter wrote:

Air Corps? Air Corpse more like. We depend on the RAF for primary air-to-air defence in our own airspace and an outsourced Canadian company for our air to sea rescue.

Implying we should be spending more on defence and in the same post claiming we're a banana republic. That's ironic considering that's exactly where banana republics spend all their money.

Slutmonkey57b wrote:

No - it means that Irish people are confusing paninis and money with cultural development. Irish people are materially better off but still culturally decrepid

Utter tosh. Irish people have more money now, more experience of the world through travel (and foreigners coming to Ireland) and have acquired some new tastes/interests and the finances to indulge in them. Nothing more, nothing less. Nothing to do with culture really.

Should we feel guilty about our new-found material wealth? Some posters here seem to have a serious problem with it.

New_Departure06

Other small neutrals have modern and larger armies. When even third world countries have huge armies surely a modern, wealth country like Ireland can do better than World War II-style propeller-spinning technology?

I know realistically we could not halt an invader. But we should not be left totally exposed to the winds of potential future aggression. They didn't know what hit them in 1169 either.

I have been watching the 1966 1916 parade on the RTE site http://www.rte.ie/laweb/smil/t06/t06_19660410_cuimhneachain_tv.smil and I think a comparison of its size with the rather small (in comparison) march we have just had speaks for itself. It we could afford a large army back then, when we were an economic backwater, then surely we can do better than aan army of under 10,000 now (admittedly with 20,000 reserves)? I would like us to have something to show off to the world.

The lefties and the dogooders would no doubt object. I resent the attempts by the Left to colonise 1916 and to rebrand the Easter Proclamation as an exclusively socialist document. They try to write out the military aspect of it, and whined against having a military parade. Well to these people I say this: Of the 7 signaturies, only James Connolly was a Socialist. And considering Connolly took part in fighting in 1916, I doubt he would share your distaste to a military commemoration.

I am pro-neutrality but believe we should at least be able to put up some sort of fight against an invader. There is a terrible political tendency in this country to wait for the evil day to happen and then plan afterwards. The Dublin riots, the health-service crisis, and arguably Sellafield are examples of this. Can we just for once avoid that in this case?

psicic

If we had an arms industry, the case for bulking up the Air Corp / other organs of military would be much more attractive, as each Euro spent would be an investment in jobs and the economy in general.

Do we have industry that directly benefits in such a way? Do we want one, given all the moral dilemmas that brings up?

It seems to me that it's A-typical of TPLACs to have large armies without native arms industries.

Without such an industry(and please tell me if we have one), I believe some investment in the Air Corp is needed but there isn't enough of a clear and present danger to prompt a Soviet-style spending spree on armaments that some people seem to want. We shouldn't be aiming for a fleet of Apache attack helicopters (I've always preferred the Hind - now a fleet of them would be impressive and cheap in a 'cool if they still fly' type of way:p ), though one or two semi-modern attack craft would be nice.

Morale in the services is continuing its nosedive, so investment in people, not planes, should be paramount. And the formation of a properly equipped Coast Guard and Naval Service would have to take priority as the incursion into Irish waters has significant economic impact (e.g. fisheries), significant impact on the national image (e.g. drug smuggling) and significant effect on lives (e.g. search and rescue - which would probably be administered by the Air Corps).

There's no point in having a large army/airforce for the sake of having a large army/airforce. It would be like building up an army to deter terrorist attacks with the terrorists then choosing their 'strike targets' based on who has the largest army.

Vorsprung

psicic wrote:

Do we have industry that directly benefits in such a way? Do we want one, given all the moral dilemmas that brings up?

Timoney up in Meath (?) design armoured vehicles, including the Bushmaster which is being used/bought by the Australian army.

Binomate

All this talk about "if Ireland was invaded". When was the last time a european country was invaded by someone? Things have moved on quite a lot since since the early 1940's. Infact, when was the last time Ireland was invaded? In the 1500's I believe. Yes, Ireland might need some kind of a stronger resistance force if we were invaded, but nobody is going to invade our country. There's no bloody chance of it. Is there anyone actually stupid enough to try and Invade Ireland for what ever reason, with British Airbases about 100 miles away from Dublin, America across the Atlantic and Nato all over Europe?

Then to the talk of terrorist attacks and hijacked aircraft. Why would anyone want to hijack an Irish plane? Even if it was hijacked to target London, the hijackers would still need to bypass the RAF.

There is absolutly no defensive need for an upgrade in our Air Corp. When I did my work experience there, they had sufficient equipment to full fill their current roles. The Air Corps is grand the way it is.

Then this talk of a redundant arms industry to create jobs. Why bother creating jobs in an Arms industry when you can create or devolpe an existing industry that is of more use to us, like our health system etc?

ArphaRima

The after hours forum has been hijacked by an Air Corps NCO who wants to be a commisioned officer/pilot, flying state of the art EXPENSIVE american hardware that he saw in a movie for his own personal satisfaction.

Close the thread please.

Binomate

I know a guy who actually thought Ireland should invest in an Aircraft Carrier. Serriously.

New_Departure06

Binomate, there are lots of small and sometimes neutral countries in the EU with impressive armies for their size. Austria for example. Surely as a rich country we should be able to show off that wealth to the world including in military terms? Saw a programme a few years ago about how we don't even have a large enough navy to intercept very much of the drug shipments into the country. Neutrality shouldn't mean impotence.

If we ever get a United Ireland won't we need a bigger army in case of trouble from some of the former Unionists?

Binomate

New_Departure06 wrote:

Binomate, there are lots of small and sometimes neutral countries in the EU with impressive armies for their size. Austria for example. Surely as a rich country we should be able to show off that wealth to the world including in military terms? Saw a programme a few years ago about how we don't even have a large enough navy to intercept very much of the drug shipments into the country. Neutrality shouldn't mean impotence.

If we ever get a United Ireland won't we need a bigger army in case of trouble from some of the former Unionists?

Yes, but this is real life and not some pissing contest.

psicic

Binomate wrote:

Then this talk of a redundant arms industry to create jobs. Why bother creating jobs in an Arms industry when you can create or devolpe an existing industry that is of more use to us, like our health system etc?

My point was unless there's an economic reason to increase investment in the Air Corps, there's little point in doing it as there is very little military reason. I wasn't suggesting we create an industry, I was asking if we had a significant one - which I don't think we do - in which case an investment in military hardware would have economic benefits.

It doesn't, we don't, so the reality is there won't be significant investment because the infrastructure of the country is really appalling and worth a whole lot more votes then pandering to military-otaku.

IrishAirCorps

Sauron wrote:

when I think of the Aircorps, I can't help but imagine a hangar in the middle of nowhere with one solitary plane sitting inside with cobwebs growing on it... and one very bored looking pilot, just bouncing a ball against the wall...

makes me smile QUOTE]

again joe public proves themselves to be stupid as **** when it comes to these matters, men in the IAC have died so other may live such as the dauphin crash in tramore in waterford in 99 so **** you, they were somebody's son,father,brother,uncle, perhaps you should take a trip to Baldonnel to see what the actually do instead of being an armchair joe public.

IrishAirCorps

BTW we aint saying they should have this and that, just something credible. Portugal have f16's...for what? who is their threat? Denmark has them too for what? the fact of the matter is its better to have something when u might need it instead of having nothing when u do need it.

darkman2

Binomate wrote:

All this talk about "if Ireland was invaded". When was the last time a european country was invaded by someone? Things have moved on quite a lot since since the early 1940's. Infact, when was the last time Ireland was invaded? In the 1500's I believe. Yes, Ireland might need some kind of a stronger resistance force if we were invaded, but nobody is going to invade our country. There's no bloody chance of it. Is there anyone actually stupid enough to try and Invade Ireland for what ever reason, with British Airbases about 100 miles away from Dublin, America across the Atlantic and Nato all over Europe?

Then to the talk of terrorist attacks and hijacked aircraft. Why would anyone want to hijack an Irish plane? Even if it was hijacked to target London, the hijackers would still need to bypass the RAF.

There is absolutly no defensive need for an upgrade in our Air Corp. When I did my work experience there, they had sufficient equipment to full fill their current roles. The Air Corps is grand the way it is.

Then this talk of a redundant arms industry to create jobs. Why bother creating jobs in an Arms industry when you can create or devolpe an existing industry that is of more use to us, like our health system etc?

ok well a) If your neutral (which were supposed to be) then you cant depend on anyone else for your protection. Thats the way it is. So many ppl keep saying the letters 'RAF'. f*cK the RAF, we need our own defence and cant be relying on anyone else. There was an interesting letter in the Irish times yesterday explaining the basis for having '5 or 6 fighter jets'. The arguments were well put forward and we need them. As simple as that. Now come on Bertie.

b) Fine geal say that they will attempt to 'overhaul' the aircorps and bring in the resources necessary should they get into power anyway. So enevitably we will have a modern air element which we need if any notion of neutrality has a leg to stand on. Cant be neutral without defence.

Binomate

IrishAirCorps wrote:

Sauron wrote:

when I think of the Aircorps, I can't help but imagine a hangar in the middle of nowhere with one solitary plane sitting inside with cobwebs growing on it... and one very bored looking pilot, just bouncing a ball against the wall...

makes me smile QUOTE]

again joe public proves themselves to be stupid as **** when it comes to these matters, men in the IAC have died so other may live such as the dauphin crash in tramore in waterford in 99 so **** you, they were somebody's son,father,brother,uncle, perhaps you should take a trip to Baldonnel to see what the actually do instead of being an armchair joe public.

Yes, because Sauron speaks for absolutly everyone who isn't either in the Air Corps or an military aircraft fanatic.

Psici - Sorry, I must have misread your post or percieved it wrong or something.

New_Departure06

b) Fine geal say that they will attempt to 'overhaul' the aircorps and bring in the resources necessary should they get into power anyway. So enevitably we will have a modern air element which we need if any notion of neutrality has a leg to stand on. Cant be neutral without defence.

Where do they say this? I doubt Labour will agree to that, what with the Left's fixation against "militarism".

IrishAirCorps

well said Darkman.

Binomate

darkman2 wrote:

ok well a) If your neutral (which were supposed to be) then you cant depend on anyone else for your protection. Thats the way it is. So many ppl keep saying the letters 'RAF'. f*cK the RAF, we need our own defence and cant be relying on anyone else. There was an interesting letter in the Irish times yesterday explaining the basis for having '5 or 6 fighter jets'. The arguments were well put forward and we need them. As simple as that. Now come on Bertie.

Ireland are not 100% neutral. Why do you think we imprisoned German pilots during World War 2 who crash landed in Ireland, but gave RAF pilots a safe passage back to Britian? We have to need our own protection to have our own protection, otherwise the protection is redundant. Why exactly is it that we can't rely on the RAF for the protection you are claiming we need? They're better equipped than the Irish Air Corp will ever be and they're right beside us. Infact, in the highly improbable situation where Ireland is invaded, I'd rather have the RAF fighting our battle for us, with a history of sucess and experience, rather than the Irish Air Corp who would be full of untrained and unexperienced in combat pilots.

New_Departure06

Binomate wrote:

Ireland are not 100% neutral. Why do you think we imprisoned German pilots during World War 2 who crash landed in Ireland, but gave RAF pilots a safe passage back to Britian? We have to need our own protection to have our own protection, otherwise the protection is redundant. Why exactly is it that we can't rely on the RAF for the protection you are claiming we need? They're better equipped than the Irish Air Corp will ever be and they're right beside us. Infact, in the highly improbable situation where Ireland is invaded, I'd rather have the RAF fighting our battle for us, with a history of sucess and experience, rather than the Irish Air Corp who would be full of untrained and unexperienced in combat pilots.

And where would "protection" lead?

darkman2

Binomate wrote:

Ireland are not 100% neutral. Why do you think we imprisoned German pilots during World War 2 who crash landed in Ireland, but gave RAF pilots a safe passage back to Britian? We have to need our own protection to have our own protection, otherwise the protection is redundant. Why exactly is it that we can't rely on the RAF for the protection you are claiming we need? They're better equipped than the Irish Air Corp will ever be and they're right beside us. Infact, in the highly improbable situation where Ireland is invaded, I'd rather have the RAF fighting our battle for us, with a history of sucess and experience, rather than the Irish Air Corp who would be full of untrained and unexperienced in combat pilots.

If you want the protection of the British then go and live there. They have absolutely no responsibility protecting us as a sovereign state...and they dont btw. We have our own defence forces, which while not bad at anything they do just require more investment. Thats all. Then we have a military that, whilst small, we can be proud of and know that we have security and that gives ppl piece of mind.

Just on another point, its not about Irish planes being hijacked. Its about any flight over the Atlantic that could potentially be put in hijack situation and flown over Irish airspace which does pose a threat to us. We have seen terrorism in volving a bomb explosion on board an aircraft over our airspace before.

darkman2

Binomate wrote:

Ireland are not 100% neutral. Why do you think we imprisoned German pilots during World War 2 who crash landed in Ireland, but gave RAF pilots a safe passage back to Britian? We have to need our own protection to have our own protection, otherwise the protection is redundant. Why exactly is it that we can't rely on the RAF for the protection you are claiming we need? They're better equipped than the Irish Air Corp will ever be and they're right beside us. Infact, in the highly improbable situation where Ireland is invaded, I'd rather have the RAF fighting our battle for us, with a history of sucess and experience, rather than the Irish Air Corp who would be full of untrained and unexperienced in combat pilots.

Oh and also please dont speak about the air corps like that. We have, and I know, excceptionally capable pilots so try not to insult the nation by suggesting the good ppl that fly in the aer corps are complete imbeciles. Thank you.