US Troop Planes and CIA? Jets still using Shannon

international | anti-war / imperialism | news report Thursday June 15, 2006 14:27 by Edward Horgan - PANA

N750JJ??

Shannon airport is being heavily used today by the US military to move troops to and from the Middle East. Between 9am and 10am there were three troop carriers, World Airways, ATA, and North American at the airport with over 500 troops on board, and likely to be carrying about 500 M-16 automatic rifles, and the same number of 9mm automatic pistols, and assorted munitions.
Military prisoners in shackles may also have been on board, as this is a regular practice by the US military.
Also at the airport was an executive jet, that has been reported as making frequent visits to RAF bases, N750JJ. Further investigation is called for, but this is unlikely to come from the Gardai, who have ignored the vast majority of complaints, or requests for searches of US aircraft, made to them so far.
Nevertheless, I made the statement of complaint and request for aircraft to be searched which is included below.

Statement of Edward Horgan, Newtown Castletroy, Limerick
Taken by Garda Ciaran Kennedy, Shannon Garda Station

At about 10am [Thursday 15th June 2006] I observed two aircraft, one ATA, American Transair, the other North American, on the runway at Shannon airport. I believe both are carrying armed troops. I have reason to believe that in both cases there are weapons in the hold and in the main cabin of the aircraft. These weapons include M-16 automatic rifles and automatic pistols. I believe there are munitions on board including 9mm and 5.56mm bullets. I request that these two planes be searched immediately because their presence at Shannon airport contravenes the Hague Convention V 1907. If anyone reads the Hague Convention, they will see quite clearly that these aircraft are in breach of international laws of neutrality.
I also request that these aircraft be searched to ensure that they are not carrying prisoners in contravention of the UN Convention on Torture.
Also aircraft number N750JJ parked near the Westair Hanger should be searched and checked to ensure that it is not a CIA Rendition for Torture aircraft. Any prisoners on board should be removed by Gardai and their freedom restored. Any armed soldiers aboard should these aircraft should be arrested and interned under the Hague Convention. I have read over this statement and it is correct,
Signed by Edward Horgan,
Witnessed by Ciaran Kennedy Garda. 31243F

In the meantime I have established that Aircraft Reg No N750JJ is a Cesna 750 type aircraft registered as owned by JJ Gumberg, at Pittsburgh, USA, and that it makes regular visits to RAF bases. There are suspicions that it may be CIA owned or that it may be used at times by the CIA.