ASG has marked the completion of its 16th Search & Rescue Aviation Tasking and Co-ordination (SATAC) course for the Irish Coast Guard, continuing a long-standing partnership that has provided specialist aviation training to hundreds of Coast Guard personnel.
The intensive two-week programme was delivered at Irish Coast Guard Headquarters and the Marine Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Dublin, equipping participants with the aviation knowledge needed to support the safe tasking and coordination of aircraft involved in search and rescue operations.
Ireland’s Coast Guard has responsibility for coordinating maritime search and rescue across a vast area that broadly corresponds with the Irish Flight Information Region. In 2025, the service managed 2,793 incidents, assisted 1,941 people and coordinated 933 helicopter missions, including 190 air ambulance flights serving offshore island communities.
The SATAC curriculum covers a wide range of aviation subjects, including meteorology, navigation, flight planning, aircraft performance, aviation communications, human factors, crew resource management and operational risk management. The training is designed to provide Coast Guard personnel with a practical understanding of the aviation factors that influence operational SAR decision-making.
ASG also delivers annual refresher training for Coast Guard personnel, helping maintain competency and awareness of developments within the aviation sector. Together, the initial SATAC courses and recurrent training programme have formed a long-term framework supporting the Coast Guard’s operational capability.
Commenting on the milestone, ASG founder Diarmuid O’Riordan said the organisation was “exceptionally proud” to have completed its 16th full SATAC course and to continue supporting one of Ireland’s most important emergency services. He noted that the training goes beyond aviation theory, helping personnel make informed decisions that can ultimately contribute to saving lives during search and rescue missions.
The training is delivered within the operational environment of MRCC Dublin, allowing participants to relate classroom learning directly to the real-world scenarios they may encounter while coordinating Coast Guard aviation assets.
ASG, an EASA Approved Training Organisation regulated by the Irish Aviation Authority, has worked with the Irish Coast Guard for many years and says the partnership remains one of its most significant specialist aviation training programmes
