The end of an era was marked yesterday at Gormanstown in Co Meath as the Air Corps officially ended 57 years' association with it.
The General Officer Commanding the Air Corps, Brig Gen John O'Brien, used the opportunity to look to the future and investment in the Air Corps, saying he would be able to spend every cent raised by the sale of the airfield at Gormanstown.
As part of the restructuring in the Defence Forces it was decided by the Minister for Defence, Mr Smith, to relocate Air Corps headquarters to Baldonnel, Co Dublin, and to sell 200 acres of land at Gormanstown, including the airstrip, to finance future developments.
As part of its investment in the future of the Air Corps, the Department advertised for tenders to supply eight fixed- wing turbo-prop aircraft with day and night vision, which will provide state-of-the-art training for cadets who are currently training in 25-year-old Marchettis.
The closing date for the tenders was yesterday.The Department confirmed it is committed to spending in the region of €30 million to purchase the aircraft, which is not dependent on the sale of the Gormanstown lands.
The sale of the acres, in a much-sought-after region close to Dublin, the main Belfast road, Dublin Airport and the east coast, should raise substantial funds for the Defence Forces. However, mapping of the exact lands to be sold is continuing, and it is likely to be some months before tenders are advertised.
Brig Gen O'Brien said: "Given the age of the Air Corps I will be able to spend every cent of the proceeds of the sale of this very fine airfield." He stressed the importance of having new aircraft, particularly in light of the September 11th terrorist attacks.
"They (terrorists) are not afraid of dying, retaliation or retribution, and the targets they can choose are wide. The fact that we are an island doesn't mean that somewhere there isn't a target. It could be a big multinational," he said.
"This new fleet are training aircraft, not interceptors, but if ever the Government did decide Ireland needed an air defence - and getting into air defence you are getting into huge money - then we will need to have a good training base, and that's what we are anxious to establish, a secure training base."
About 150 people, including dozens of former members of the Air Corps, attended the ceremony, which consisted of an inspection of a parade by the brigadier-general and a fly-by of aircraft by 104 Squadron.
The Air Corps personnel who opted to move to Baldonnel are now part of that squadron.
The move does not mark the end of the involvement of the Defence Forces in Gormanstown. B Company of the 5th Infantry Battalion and a camp headquarters will remain within the main part of the camp with approximately 150 personnel.
Gormanstown has been the permanent training base of the Air Corps since 1945, although its military association began in 1917. Since the arrival of eight Cessna 172 aircraft in 1973, ACOS (Army co-operation squadron) has flown 14,000 missions, the vast majority in support of Army and Garda operations along the Border and throughout the State.