THE FAMILY of a cadet who died during a training exercise in Connemara earlier this year were presented with his “wings” at a ceremony at Baldonnel yesterday.
Cadet David Jevens died alongside his flight instructor Capt Derek Furniss when the Pilatus PC-9 aircraft they were flying crashed into a hillside at Crimlin East in Connemara on October 12th.
Cadet Jevens, who joined the Air Corps in 2006, was due to receive his wings alongside other members of the 27th Air Corps Cadet Class who were commissioned as pilots yesterday.
Speaking at the ceremony, Minister for Defence Willie O’Dea said the day of celebration was touched with “deep sadness” as those present paid tribute to the families of the two men.
“The cutting short of these two lives, at so young an age, is a loss felt not only by their own families and friends but also by their Air Corps and Defence Forces colleagues,” Mr O’Dea said.
“The tragic events of October 12th not only took these two fine men from those they loved most of all, it also deprived the Defence Forces and the State of their potential contribution and achievements.”
Earlier in the day, the general officer commanding the Air Corps, Brig Gen Ralph James, presented Cadet Jevens’s wings to his parents.
Mr O’Dea said he hoped this award would, in some small way, assist them in coping with their great loss.
He offered his congratulations to the six newly commissioned officers who had been presented with their wings, in official recognition of their qualification as pilots following 39 months of training.
Mr O’Dea said he intended to ensure continued investment into the Defence Forces, but added that in the current difficult economic situation, “efficiencies” would be examined across the public sector.
“I intend, within the resources available, to retain the capacity of the defence organisation to operate effectively across all roles. This will represent a significant challenge in the coming years,” he said.