An aircraft delivering critical military equipment for US Air Force bombers used to attack Iran flew through Irish sovereign airspace last Tuesday.
Yesterday The Ditch reported that an Irish air traffic controller guided a US bomber on its way to attack Iran through Irish-controlled airspace. This separate flight, which took place the same day, was carrying critical parts for the bombers.
After yesterday's article was published, misinformation began circulating on X.
This included claims that International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) rules compel AirNav Ireland to provide air traffic services to military aircraft going through Irish-controlled airspace in the Shanwick Oceanic Control Area.
This is not the case. These rules apply to civilian flights.
ICAO rules regulate the provision of air traffic services to civilian flights. Military aircraft are expressly excluded under the Convention on International Civil Aviation.
The flight that went through Irish sovereign airspace, a bomber support plane, entered Irish territory near Donegal on 10 March.
Atlas Air flight GTI8675 was on its way from Minot Air Force Base in the US to Royal Air Force (RAF) Fairford in England.
The North Dakota military base the plane left is home to the 5th Bomb Wing whose B-52H bombers were deployed to RAF Fairford last week.
The Atlas Air Boeing 747 was carrying critical military components and kit for the B-52H bombers used to strike Iran as part of "Operation Epic Fury."
The US and Israel have killed more than 1,200 Iranians in their illegal war against Iran.
The Department of Transport and Department of Foreign Affairs have been contacted for comment.
