THE GOVERNMENT jet was deployed yesterday in an emergency medical evacuation off the Clare coast because other Air Corps aircraft were undergoing servicing and were unavailable for the mission.
It was the first time the Government Learjet was deployed in a “top-cover” role, whereby one aircraft assists another that is far out at sea to relay communications back to the shore.
The Shannon Irish Coast Guard helicopter, Rescue 1-1-5, was scrambled to the scene at about 10.15am after a crew member on board a Dutch factory vessel was reported to have fallen ill about 250km west of Loop Head in Co Clare.
The 40-year-old man complained of abdominal pains which were later diagnosed as suspected appendicitis. The captain raised the alarm and requested that the crewman be airlifted to hospital to receive medical attention.
As the Coast Guard helicopter routed to the scene, the Government Learjet 45, was also dispatched to provide top-cover.
When a rescue helicopter has to travel that far from land, communications are often lost with the co-ordination centre especially when the helicopter is operating at low level. Top-cover is where another aircraft is deployed to relay communications between the scene and operation co-ordinators back on shore.
The Air Corps said it was the first time since the aircraft entered service in 2004 that it had been used in a “top-cover” mission.
The sick crew member was airlifted from the deck of the vessel and taken to Shannon airport from where he was transported by ambulance to the Mid-Western Regional Hospital in Limerick for treatment.
The operation was co-ordinated by the Marine Rescue Co-ordination Centre at Valentia Island in Co Kerry.
The Air Corps operates two CASA CN-235 maritime patrol aircraft which usually undertake off-shore maritime patrol duties but are regularly used to provide top-cover in search and rescue operations at sea. Both aircraft, however, are currently undergoing maintenance and are out of service.
A Defence Forces spokesman said: “A decision on what aircraft to deploy on operations is made by the Air Corps having regard to a number of factors, including the capability of the aircraft.
“As both Air Corps CASA maritime patrol aircraft are currently undergoing maintenance and servicing, the Learjet 45 was deployed to conduct the top cover operation, and was fully capable of carrying out all functions required of the Air Corps for this particular mission.”
“Although this is the first time that the Learjet 45 has been deployed on a top-cover operation, it is a multifunctional aircraft which is routinely deployed on a range of missions, including air ambulance operations,” the spokesman said.