Warplanes at Shannon - business as usual?

international | anti-war / imperialism | news report Friday December 30, 2011 17:29 by Edward Horgan - Shannonwatch

Warplane security substantially increased at Shannon

Three OMNI air troop carrying warplanes at Shannon on 30 Dec 2011, are now under heavy guard by a combination of Shannon airport security, Gardai and the Irish Defence Forces.

Two DC 10 troop carrier warplanes at Shannon 30 Dec 2011

I visited Shannon airport at about 2.30 pm today to check on the transit of US military forces through this supposedly nuetral airport in a supposedly neutral state. There were two OMNI Air DC 10 troop carriers parked towards the middle of the airfield. There was a Garda patrolling on foot just under the aircraft, and an Irish Defence Forces armed patrol in a military vehicle about 100 meters from the aircraft. Up at the terminal building a third OMNI Air Troop carrier, this one a Boeing 757, also had a Garda patrolling under the aircraft. In addition an Airport Security patrol vehicle AP 12, was patrolling close to this warplane. Perhaps they were part of a special investigating team, investigating whether any of the soldiers being transported on these aircraft had participated in some of the many war crimes committed by US troops in Iraq and Afghanistan? Then again, probably not. Most likely these security forces represented the Irish taxpayers contribution to the US wars against the people of Iraq and Afghanistan.

Garda gruarding Two warplanes at Shannon 30 Dec 2011

Irish Defence Forces guarding US warplanes at Shannon 30 Dec 2011

Garda guarding US warplane at Shannon terminal building 30 Dec 2011