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Fire fighting is just the latest in a long line of duties undertaken by the Air Corps undertake which aids Irish citizens. Last year, the Air Corps flew almost 2,300 missions, including 69 Air Ambulance Missions, often involving the transportation of critically ill patients between medical facilities in Ireland and the UK for vital live-saving treatment. Although it is well known for its Maritime Patrols conducted in conjunction with the Naval Service, as well as flying the Garda Air Support Unit (GASU) and providing “top cover” for security operations, it is also involved in other roles such as mountain rescue. The skills needed for this demanding role needs to be constantly honed. Members of the Air Corps have trained in Italy with specialist operators there and in the earlier part of the year they took part in a Mountain Rescue Team / Heli Exercise. The event took place at the end of January and involved day drills and a night exercise with NVGs in the Glen of Imaal. The exercise involved Dublin / Wicklow MRT, Glen of Immal MRT, South East Mountain Rescue Association, Tramore Sea and Cliff Rescue Team, local Garda Representative and the Air Corps with AW139 (troop transport/medevac) and EC135 (medevac) helicopters.