Commissioned officers in the Irish Air Corps are voicing frustration over the denial of specific financial allowances for high-stakes aerial operations. While junior crew members receive the Security Duty Allowance, senior commanders tasked with overseeing critical missions—including armed counter-drone patrols and aerial firefighting—are currently ineligible for these payments. Captain David Sutton highlighted the discrepancy during the Representative Association of Commissioned Officers (RACO) conference, noting that commanders responsible for authorizing the engagement of unmanned aerial systems are excluded from the benefit. Although an agreement exists to provide this allowance for air ambulance missions, the military maintains that other essential security and emergency operations do not qualify. Officers argue that this policy demonstrates a lack of respect for the leadership and responsibility required to execute complex, newly established capabilities within the Defence Forces.
Source : The Journal
Photo : The Journal
