November 2023 marks 60 years since the Air Corps took delivery of the State’s very first helicopters, when the first three Aérospatiale Alouette III helicopters were put into service in 1963.

The original intent was exclusively focused on search and rescue, but it wasn’t long before the helicopters proved their worth in a wide range of tasks. Six decades later, the Air Corps’ No 3 Operations Wing has operated 8 different helicopter types encompassing 28 individual aircraft. The unit’s service to the Irish Nation has expanded significantly over the years since its first search and rescue days, and now includes operations such as the Emergency Aeromedical Service, counter-terrorism and special forces support with the Army Ranger Wing, operating the Garda Air Support Unit, aerial firefighting in support of local authorities and fire services, inter-hospital air ambulance and organ retrieval, army and naval support, flood and snow relief, and much more.

The Officer Commanding No 3 Operations Wing, Lt Col David Browne, will deliver a talk in the Shannon Aviation Museum on Saturday 14^th October 2023 to speak about the unit’s journey over the last 60 years, and share stories, experiences, and accounts of what it has been like to fly those missions. Weather permitting, one of today’s Air Corps helicopters will be on display at the museum for people to see up close.

This ticket provides holders with admission to the museum.