An Irish Air Corps maritime patrol aircraft has visited a Royal Air Force station for the first time, as the two air forces seek to strengthen their maritime Search and Rescue cooperation.
The recently procured CASA C295 aircraft was on display as RAF Lossiemouth celebrated its friends and families day.
RAF Lossiemouth's P-8A Poseidon fleet is frequently called upon to support HM Coastguard’s Search and Rescue operations and so the visit meant that personnel from101 Squadron, Irish Air Corps were able to discuss increased Search and Rescue cooperation with the RAF’s 201 Squadron.
We were delighted to welcome 101 Squadron Irish Air Corps to RAF Lossiemouth and to see a CASA C295 aircraft here for the very first time, symbolically displayed alongside one of our P-8A Poseidons.
The north Atlantic is one of the most challenging seas in the world, and the responsibility of rescuing stricken mariners from it is a shared one.
We look forward to working with the Irish Air Corps over the coming years, as we seek to strengthen our search and rescue cooperation, and make this part of the ocean safer.
Wing Commander Robert McCartney, Officer Commanding, 201 Squadron
The visit comes as both the IAC and RAF increasingly cooperate in areas of mutual interest.
Increased cooperation between the Irish Air Corps and the Royal Air Force will mean that we can bring more assets to potential major incidents in our common areas of interest, and on our shared seas.
The conversations we’ve had during our visit to Lossiemouth will enable us to progress and develop a joint Search and Rescue capability.
Commandant Ken Byrne, 101 Squadron, Irish Air Corps
Four IAC pilots recently graduated from the RAF’s No1. Flying Training School at RAF Shawbury, where they earned their helicopter pilots’ wings. The RAF also displayed at IAC celebrations in 2022 and 2023.
