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24/04/2008
Relocation! Relocation! For RAF Aldergrove
Ninety years after they first arrived, RAF personnel are to be relocated away from Northern Ireland - leaving behind just the Army Air Corps.
Armed Forces Minister, Bob Ainsworth said that 230 troops based at RAF Aldergrove will be moved to RAF Benson in Oxfordshire.
Mr Ainsworth commented: "This will establish a coherent Puma force on a single site, enabling the improvement of Puma force capability."
As well as the relocation, about a third of the existing civilian staff will lose their jobs.
The Ministry of Defence also intends to close Massereene Barracks in Antrim after transferring 38 Engineer Regiment to a new home at RAF Aldergrove in their place.
It is expected that the move will be completed by the end of 2010.
Mr Ainsworth added that the changes will "not impact" on the force's Northern Ireland commitments in support of the civilian authorities and that Aldergrove will "remain a military flying station for the Army Air Corps for the foreseeable future".
He also said that the RAF would continue to use Northern Ireland airspace for training.
It is not believed that the changes are a response to overall 'Peace Process' reductions in troop levels.
The Royal Air Force has had a base at Aldergrove for the organisation's entire existence - 'to defend the UK and its interests and strengthen international peace and stability' - since the organisation was established on 1 April, 1918.
RAF Aldergrove was also set up in 1918 but was not designated as an operational RAF station until 1925.
Aldergrove’s location made it an important station during the Second World War of RAF Coastal Command in the Battle of the Atlantic.
From the base long-range reconnaissance aircraft were able to patrol the Eastern Atlantic for U-Boats.
(DS)(BMcC)
Armed Forces Minister, Bob Ainsworth said that 230 troops based at RAF Aldergrove will be moved to RAF Benson in Oxfordshire.
Mr Ainsworth commented: "This will establish a coherent Puma force on a single site, enabling the improvement of Puma force capability."
As well as the relocation, about a third of the existing civilian staff will lose their jobs.
The Ministry of Defence also intends to close Massereene Barracks in Antrim after transferring 38 Engineer Regiment to a new home at RAF Aldergrove in their place.
It is expected that the move will be completed by the end of 2010.
Mr Ainsworth added that the changes will "not impact" on the force's Northern Ireland commitments in support of the civilian authorities and that Aldergrove will "remain a military flying station for the Army Air Corps for the foreseeable future".
He also said that the RAF would continue to use Northern Ireland airspace for training.
It is not believed that the changes are a response to overall 'Peace Process' reductions in troop levels.
The Royal Air Force has had a base at Aldergrove for the organisation's entire existence - 'to defend the UK and its interests and strengthen international peace and stability' - since the organisation was established on 1 April, 1918.
RAF Aldergrove was also set up in 1918 but was not designated as an operational RAF station until 1925.
Aldergrove’s location made it an important station during the Second World War of RAF Coastal Command in the Battle of the Atlantic.
From the base long-range reconnaissance aircraft were able to patrol the Eastern Atlantic for U-Boats.
(DS)(BMcC)
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18 November 2009
RAF Flies Away From Aldergrove
The last RAF squadron based in Northern Ireland has left Aldergrove, the Ministry of Defence has said. Yesterday, 230 'Tiger' Squadron took off in a helicopter diamond formation from Aldergrove for their new base at RAF Benson in Oxfordshire. The flight of the Pumas marked the end of the RAF's 91-year history of flying from Northern Ireland.
RAF Flies Away From Aldergrove
The last RAF squadron based in Northern Ireland has left Aldergrove, the Ministry of Defence has said. Yesterday, 230 'Tiger' Squadron took off in a helicopter diamond formation from Aldergrove for their new base at RAF Benson in Oxfordshire. The flight of the Pumas marked the end of the RAF's 91-year history of flying from Northern Ireland.
08 May 2008
MoD 'Snub' Over RAF Aldergrove Jobs
A leading Northern Ireland politician has tackled the Ministry of Defence's (MoD) decision to pull all RAF personnel from the Province's only such base. South Antrim MP William McCrea said at Westminster that the decision had been taken in a "cavalier fashion". The DUP representative said the move would leave many people out of work.
MoD 'Snub' Over RAF Aldergrove Jobs
A leading Northern Ireland politician has tackled the Ministry of Defence's (MoD) decision to pull all RAF personnel from the Province's only such base. South Antrim MP William McCrea said at Westminster that the decision had been taken in a "cavalier fashion". The DUP representative said the move would leave many people out of work.
14 November 2024
New Defence Heritage Record Launched
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has welcomed the launch of a new Defence Heritage Record, a comprehensive resource detailing over 4,500 sites constructed across Northern Ireland in response to World War One and Two, as well as the Cold War.
New Defence Heritage Record Launched
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has welcomed the launch of a new Defence Heritage Record, a comprehensive resource detailing over 4,500 sites constructed across Northern Ireland in response to World War One and Two, as well as the Cold War.
14 November 2024
Traffic Warning For South Belfast Ahead Of Northern Ireland Match
Road users are advised to plan for potential traffic delays in the south Belfast area on Friday, 15th November due to the UEFA Nations League football match between Northern Ireland and Belarus. The match will take place at Windsor Park, kicking off at 7.45pm, and it is expected that around 18,000 supporters will attend.
Traffic Warning For South Belfast Ahead Of Northern Ireland Match
Road users are advised to plan for potential traffic delays in the south Belfast area on Friday, 15th November due to the UEFA Nations League football match between Northern Ireland and Belarus. The match will take place at Windsor Park, kicking off at 7.45pm, and it is expected that around 18,000 supporters will attend.
19 September 2008
RAF Aldergrove Issue Their 'Stamp Of Approval'
It's 'chocks away' this week as Royal Mail joins forces with the 'youngest' of the armed forces to celebrate the history of Royal Air Force uniforms with six new stamps. On sale now, the RAF Uniforms stamp issue is the second in Royal mail's Military Uniforms series, which examines the history of the uniforms of the UK's armed services.
RAF Aldergrove Issue Their 'Stamp Of Approval'
It's 'chocks away' this week as Royal Mail joins forces with the 'youngest' of the armed forces to celebrate the history of Royal Air Force uniforms with six new stamps. On sale now, the RAF Uniforms stamp issue is the second in Royal mail's Military Uniforms series, which examines the history of the uniforms of the UK's armed services.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
