In April 1977, two Beechcraft Super King Air 200 aircraft were leased and subsequently purchased from Sweden’s United Beechcraft.  They were neither equipped nor designed to fulfil the requirement, but rather to serve as an interim measure to carry out the task in a limited manner while a study of the market took place for a more suitable type and so Maritime Squadron was born. 

The aircraft were intended to be used in the maritime role for not more than five years.  The SKA200 had been utilised by other organisations around the world in a similar role, but considering the size of the area allotted to the Irish to police, a larger aircraft with greater range and endurance, with radar capabilities was required.  Corrosion was another problem for these aircraft for, after operating for prolonged periods at low level over the salty Atlantic, the airframes had indeed taken a hammering and it is a tribute to the ground technical support down through the years, that such constant serviceability was maintained. 

For eleven years, Maritime Squadron’s SKA200s roamed the Atlantic Ocean and the Irish Sea, not just content to stick to the primary role of fishery surveillance, but also taking part in many other high profile operations, such as the arresting of the Marita Ann.  There were also the sadder more distressing operations, such as the Air India disaster in the mid 1980s.  The two aircraft ran up colossal hours over the area of the crash in a vain attempt to find survivors.  Eventually, a decision had to be reached on a replacement type as both aircraft were nearing the end of the safe maritime life.  In 1988, the Air Corps was given the go-ahead to tender for a replacement for their loyal SKA200s, detailing the requirement for a fixed wing aircraft capable of patrolling the 132,000 nm allotted to Ireland.  Many other specifications were also included such as the fitting of comprehensive navigation and communication systems, a proven radar and a forward looking infra-red (FLIR) system.  In September 1989, over 40 suppliers were invited to tender for the contract.  In May 1990 the report of the Maritime Aircraft Evaluation Board was published, recommending the procurement of two CASA CN235 Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA).  Eleven months later in April 1991, the contract was signed for their delivery in 1994, with agreement to provide the Air Corps with the use of an interim CN235 (Charlie 250) while awaiting delivery.  The Air Corps took delivery of the two dedicated CASA’s on 8 December 1994, and started full Maritime Operations the very next day. 

The first six months following the arrival of the new aircraft proved to be a revelation in the operational effectiveness of the Air Corps maritime patrol.  In that period alone, the two new aircraft had notched up more flying hours and almost three times as many sightings of vessels that their two predecessors had achieved in a whole year.  This was mainly down to the extra range and the search radar which is the primary sensor of the aircraft.  The radar on board is a Litton V5 manufactured in Canada, which is a 360 scan, and allows either a high altitude search of a large surface area, or a details interrogation and guidance onto individual targets to be investigated.  The range of the radar is up to 150 nm at an altitude of 16,000 ft, and up to 35 nm at 200 ft. 

The crew on board the CASA MPA consists of two pilots, two Airborne Radar Operators, a Photographic/Observer, a Communications or Data-link Operator and another Observer/Launch Operator for the launching of liferafts and locator flares during Search and Rescue (SAR) operations. 

In a typical mission, the aircraft departs Baldonnel and climbs out to an altitude of 10,000 ft.  The EU 200 nm limit is periodically divided into “Operational Zones” by Maritime Squadron and the Naval Service.  All patrolling is carried out by the squadron in tactical conjunction with the Naval Service. 

Depending on the sector to be covered by maritime surveillance, the aircraft’s radar will typically begin to detect targets out to sea in a matter of minutes depending upon levelling at 16,000 ft.  Once all targets are picked up on radar in the zone, the aircraft will descend to 1,000 ft and investigate all the targets, each one being flown by at an altitude of 200 ft.  Details of the type, activity and registration of vessels are photographed and recorded and then passed to the Naval Service.  A typical mission will take between sevn to nine hours, depending on the concentration of vessels in a zone, any thing from thirty and one hundred and forty targets will be investigated.  Once the patrol returns, a de-brief takes place and all information gathered, i.e. photography, visual reports and other recordings are assessed and any additional information is passed to the Naval Service. 

And what of the future of Maritime patrolling and the Air Corps?  With constant advances in technology, the Air Corps have at their disposal in the CASA MPA, a platform to utilise any developments in the area of maritime surveillance such as remote controlled mounted cameras, night vision equipment and radar interrogation equipment.  Also in the future, the CN 235s, will have a winder role to play in the area of SAR in support of helicopters on long range operations off the coast. 

The Maritime Squadron emblem is a Gannet, that stereotypical maritime bird.  It epitomizes the spirit of the Squadron because of its long range and eagle like eye sight.