[sniperUK]

Sound like its over for RAF Aldergrove BBC NEWS | Northern Ireland | Job cuts over RAF Aldergrove exit nice news on the RAFs and Aldergroves 90th Anniversary.

[swoop]

[
Not very good news Sniper. Do you, in your opinion, think it's purely strategic or are there other considerations regarding our status within the UK. now being contemplated.??

Originally Posted by sniperUK

Sound like its over for RAF Aldergrove BBC NEWS | Northern Ireland | Job cuts over RAF Aldergrove exit nice news on the RAFs and Aldergroves 90th Anniversary.

[jim]

I think the only reason behind this is to save money.

Its just another MOD back door trick to cut back on our forces.

[sniperUK]

It's being put across as a money saver but since 72 sqn left in 2001 SAR cover was supposed to be provided from Prestwick and Valley now it's all by the Irish Coastguard from Dublin and Sligo as I haven't seen any thing from the mainland being tasked , effective but we should have our own.The announcement came from Liarbour not the CAS and as far as I know there is not enough capability at Benson to cope with another squadron.I believe there is more to it as it now leaves us as the only part of the UK with no RAF station pushing us a little bit more out of the UK.You can't have anything with the title "Royal "in it as you may upset the terrorist scum,sorry half the NI government.

[swoop]

Originally Posted by sniperUK

It's being put across as a money saver but since 72 sqn left in 2001 SAR cover was supposed to be provided from Prestwick and Valley now it's all by the Irish Coastguard from Dublin and Sligo as I haven't seen any thing from the mainland being tasked , effective but we should have our own.The announcement came from Liarbour not the CAS and as far as I know there is not enough capability at Benson to cope with another squadron.I believe there is more to it as it now leaves us as the only part of the UK with no RAF station pushing us a little bit more out of the UK.You can't have anything with the title "Royal "in it as you may upset the terrorist scum,sorry half the NI government.

Sniper, your reason sounds bonified to me. N. Ireland is drowning in the undertow of putrified politics. Any settlement between the Republic and the UK was never formulated with consideration for those who wish to retain their British citizenship. Could a bulldozer do a better job.? Loyalty means nothing.

[swoop]

Originally Posted by jim

I think the only reason behind this is to save money.

Its just another MOD back door trick to cut back on our forces.

Jim, I wish it were the case. From the perspective of those who wish to retain ties with the UK, a continual erosion of support has been formulated. Whatever is British is being systematically erraticated,

You are quite correct it is, 'a back door trick', one that disenfranchises every Ulsterman's loyalty to Queen and Country

[sniperUK]

Extracts from HQNI Press Release.

"The move of 230 Sqn will mark the end of any significant RAF footprint in Northern Ireland. A small number of specialist RAF personnel will remain at Aldergrove to work with the Army. The VGS will remain and the Air Cadet organisation will continue to provide an RAF presence in the Province. In addition, the RAF element of the Armed Forces Careers Office will remain at Palace Barracks Hollywood,5 Regiment Army Air Corps will continue to operate from Aldergrove. 665 Squadron operate Gazelle helicopters that provide a communications facility and have a surveillance role. They may provide assistance to the PSNI in accordance with the 'Patten Provisions'. 651 Squadron operate Brittan Norman Islander and Defender 4000 fixed wing aircraft, again in the surveillance role. The PSNI will continue to operate a Eurocopter EC-135 helicopter and a Brittain Norman Islander fixed wing aircraft in the surveillance roles. In addition, the possibility of the establishment of a Royal Air Force Auxiliary Squadron is under active consideration. Senior RAF officers will continue to provide patronage to the NI branches of RAFA< RBL etc".