Deep connections between Air Corps and Donegal Airport recognised 

The deep and long association between the Air Corps and Donegal airport at Carrickfinn has been acknowledged by the Irish Air Corps who celebrated their 100th anniversary last year. 

In a special event yesterday to mark the milestone aviation event the MD of the airport Eilís Docherty was presented with a specially framed photo by the 104 Squadron in appreciation for the Donegal airport’s support of the Air Corps since the airport itself started up operations back in 1986. 

Eight members of the Irish Air Corps flew in on 2 Pilatus PC-12 turboprops in formation and presented the photograph of three of their aircrafts mid-air, and acknowledged that it was their way of showing gratitude for the airport's support.

The framed photo reads: "Presented to Donegal Airport from 104 Squadron. Thank you for your continued support with our operations and training."

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Marketing Manager at the airport told DonegalLive.ie, Pauline Sweeney said that they were delighted with the presentation and recognition.

As the county with the longest coastline in Ireland, they more than most, appreciated the great work and support that the Air Corps carries out in Donegal and off our coastline.

Presented to Donegal Airport from 104 Squadron. Thank you for your continued support with our operations and training.

She said: “Our MD Eilís Docherty was deeply appreciative of the thank you from the Air Corps and it did mean a lot to us here, involved at the airport.

“They continue to operate here on an ongoing basis as well as carrying out training with flights in and out of here. 

“We always try to accommodate them and we have had a long history with the Air Corps, going back to our very early days of operation here.   

“Most people in this part of the country and Donegal in particular would also be aware of the amazing search and rescue capacity they also bring to the county and region.  

We are on a 24 hour a day standby for their requirements and if they are in the area, they come in for the likes of refuelling. There will always be a welcome for the Air Corps, their planes, helicopters and their crews from all at Donegal Airport.”

Two of the Irish Air Corps fleet which landed in Donegal Airport this week 

Up until more recent years, the Air Corps also had a special relationship with the 28th Infantry Battalion headquarters based at Finner Camp in the south of the county, where incidentally, a small military runway remains in situ.

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For many years, the Alouette and Dauphin helicopters were seen operating from Finner and later it was the first of the new Sikorsky’s, until the Air Corps provided search facility was moved to a civilian based operation at Sligo airport at Strandhill.