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Tuesday, 17 November 2009

Last RAF squadron leaves NI

The last RAF squadron took off in a helicopter diamond formation from Aldergrove, marking the end of the RAF's 91 year history of flying from Northern Ireland.

The 230 "Tiger" Squadron made his journey to their new home base at RAF Benson in Oxfordshire on Tuesday, flying from Aldergrove across parts of Counties Antrim and Down before heading over the Irish Sea.

The distinctive diamond formation of Puma aircraft was witnessed by many people on the ground.

"The people of Northern Ireland have been very good to the RAF and sadly this marks the end of an important chapter in the RAF's history", Wing Commander Rich Maddison, the Office Commanding 230 Squadron said.

"This squadron could not have achieved all it has on operations over the past six years without the essential training we have been able to conduct in the Province and we shall certainly miss being here."

In September the RAF flag was lowered at Aldergrove and replaced by that of the Joint Helicopter Force.

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2 Comments

At 21:31 on 20 November 2009, seamas wrote:

Good riddance. Another brick knocked out of the wall .

At 23:01 on 17 November 2009, agnews wrote:

A SAD DAY FOR NI AND A KICK IN THE TEETH TO ALL OUR BRAVE MEN AND WOMAN SERVING IN OUR FORCES. ANOTHER WEE SLIP TOWARDS BRITISH WITHDRAWL AND EROSION OF NATIONAL IDENTITY. A LABOUR PROMISE TO SF NO DOUBT. THE CREWS DIDNT WANT OR NEED TO GO AS STATED BY GROUP CAPT CASS N.IRELAND IS AN IDEAL TRAINING GROUND FOR OPERATIONS ABROAD,WITH FULL SUPPORT FROM THE LAW ABIDING PEOPLE IN N IRELAND. BUT WHEN DID THEIR OPINION EVER COUNT. GOODBYE 230 SQD AND THANKS FOR YOUR HELP-STAY SAFE