Seán Clancy (Irish general)
Seán Clancy | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Mitchelstown, Cork, Ireland |
| Allegiance |  Ireland |
| Service |  Air Corps |
| Years of service | 1984–present |
| Rank |  Lieutenant General (OF-8) |
| Commands | Deputy Chief of Staff (Support) Chief of Air Staff |
Lieutenant General Seán Clancy is an Irish Air Corps general and current Chief of Staff of the Irish Defence Forces since 29 September 2021.
Clancy spent much of his military career as a search and rescue (SAR) pilot for the Irish Air Corps, before moving up the chain of command as Chief of Air Staff (GOC Air Corps]]) and Defence Forces Headquarters appointments such as Director of Strategic Planning and Deputy Chief of Staff (Support).[1] Clancy has also spent a number of years on overseas deployments with the EU and UN.<ref="cos1"/> He is the first Chief of Staff from the Air Corps branch.
Early life
Clancy is a native of Mitchelstown in County Cork and grew up partaking in scouting, progressing to become a patrol leader in the 30th Cork Scout Troop, competing for the Melvin Cup (an all-Ireland scouting competition). His father Seán 'Jack' Clancy (a native of Kilrush, Clare) was principal of the primary school he attended, and he attended Christian Brothers Secondary School in Mitchelstown for three years, before moving to St Flannan's College in Ennis to complete the Leaving Certificate.[2]
Military career
Clancy joined the Defence Forces as an Air Corps cadet in 1984, and began flight training in 1986. He was trained on and has flown both fixed and rotary wing aircraft, clocking up 5,000 flight hours. He is a qualified type and instrument-rating examiner, qualified flight simulator instructor and has held type, instrument and NVG ratings on the AgustaWestland AW139.<ref="avondhu"/>
As a search and rescue pilot, Clancy was commander of a crew who received the Marine Medal for Meritorious Service in 2002.<ref="avondhu"/>
Clancy has served in both Air Corps and tri-service Defence Forces Headquarters (DFHQ) appointments including as Squadron Commander, Wing Commander, Senior Staff Officer Operations, Senior Staff Officer Personnel, Chief of Air Staff Support in Air Corps Headquarters and Director of Strategic Planning Branch (Chief of Staff's Branch, DFHQ). He served as General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Irish Air Corps and Director of Military Aviation (DFHQ). Prior to promotion to Chief of Staff, he served as Deputy Chief of Staff (Support) in DF Headquarters.<ref="avondhu"/>
Education
Clancy holds a Bachelor of Science (Hons) Degree in Computer Science from Trinity College Dublin and a Masters in Military Leadership and Defence Studies from Maynooth University. He graduated from the Defence Forces Command and Staff College with the Lt Gen Tadgh O'Neill Award (for best student of combined military and MA components).[3]
References
- ^ "The Chief of Staff". Óglaigh na hÉireann (Irish Defence Forces website). Retrieved 25 December 2021.
- ^ Roche, Marian (15 July 2021). "Mitchelstown man appointed Chief of Staff of Defence Forces". The Avondhu. Retrieved 25 December 2021.
- ^ "Seán Clancy appointed next Defence Forces Chief of Staff". RTÉ News. 13 July 2021. Retrieved 25 December 2021.