Four Chinook helicopters flew over Dublin this morning as part of US military helicopters at Land's End Airport preparation for Donald Trump’s visit to Ireland. The aircraft, using the call sign GRIT41, crossed the coast near Dún Laoghaire before heading in formation to Baldonnel in South County Dublin.
It is understood that the Chinooks brought equipment and people for the security operation around the visit. They will also provide transport for Trump’s entourage while he travels in Marine One, with Air Force One due to bring him to Ireland on Saturday morning.
GRIT41 over Dublin
The route gave a first visible sign of the wider operation now being assembled across Dublin, Shannon and Doonbeg. Security preparations involve An Garda Síochána and the Irish Defence Forces, and the deployment is expected to include thousands of members.
The helicopters came from the east coast of Britain after a brief stay in Liverpool’s John Lennon Airport. After crossing the Irish coast, they passed over the southern suburbs before landing at the Irish Air Corps base at Baldonnel in South County Dublin.
Ed Walsh in Phoenix Park
Donald Trump is expected to meet Catherine Connolly and Micheál Martin, and to attend an event in the US ambassador’s residence in the Phoenix Park. Ed Walsh is expected to meet Trump there, while much of the planning for the visit is being handled by the US Embassy in Dublin.
US organisers are also scrambling to find hotel rooms for a potential entourage of 1,000 people. That group includes Secret Service close protection officers, White House workers, pilots, drivers, chefs, aircraft maintenance staff, medics and journalists who cover the US government, along with family members who are expected to travel with their own security details.
Saturday in Ireland
Trump is expected to travel to Shannon by 3pm on Saturday after his meetings in Dublin. The large equipment for the visit, including bulletproof cars and the Marine One helicopters, is likely to arrive by large military transport aircraft, leaving the security teams to keep moving pieces in place as the visit closes in.
