A significant milestone for Irish military aviation took place on Friday at Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel, where the Minister for Defence, Helen McEntee TD, formally presented commissions to the 43rd Wings Course Class and the inaugural Air Traffic Cadet Class of the Irish Air Corps.
The ceremony, attended by Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Rossa Mulcahy and senior military leadership, marks a notable evolution in Air Corps training with the introduction of its first dedicated Air Traffic Cadet programme. In total, nine newly commissioned officers were recognised following the successful completion of an intensive 19-month training pipeline.
The officers’ journey began at the Defence Forces Cadet School in the Curragh, progressing through a structured programme combining military leadership, academic study, and specialist aviation training. Pilot cadets continued to the Flying Training School at Baldonnel, while the Air Traffic Cadet undertook advanced instruction with FTE Jerez in southern Spain, a well-regarded training provider for international aviation students.
This blended approach reflects the increasingly technical and professional demands placed on modern military aviation personnel, aligning Air Corps training standards with best international practice.
The standout element of this year’s ceremony was the commissioning of the Air Corps’ first Air Traffic Cadet Class. This development represents a strategic step in strengthening in-house air traffic control capability, an area critical to both operational effectiveness and flight safety.
Brigadier General Rory O’Connor, General Officer Commanding the Air Corps, highlighted the significance of the occasion: “Today’s ceremony marks not only the commissioning of another Wings Course Class, but a significant first for the Air Corps with the commissioning of our inaugural Air Traffic Cadet Class. Both groups have shown the dedication, discipline, and professionalism required of an officer of the Defence Forces, and I have every confidence in the contribution they will make to the Air Corps, the wider Defence Forces, and the State.”
Following commissioning, members of the 43rd Wings Course Class will advance to the Young Officers Wings Course, where they will further develop operational and leadership skills as they transition into active service roles within the Air Corps. Meanwhile, the newly commissioned Air Traffic Officer will continue training at Casement Aerodrome, working towards the award of an Aerodrome Controller’s Licence. This qualification will enable them to play a direct role in managing military air traffic operations at Baldonnel.
