RAF leaves Aldergrove for last time

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

The last RAF squadron to be based in Northern Ireland has left Joint Helicopter Flying Station Aldergrove.

230 Squadron's nine Puma helicopters left the station, to the north west of Belfast, in diamond formation. The squadron will now be based at RAF Benson in Oxfordshire.

The journey marked the end of 91 years of RAF flights from Northern Ireland.

Wing Commander Rich Maddison said the event was the end of an "important chapter in the RAF's history".

"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," he said.

Due to operational commitments, the departure marked the first time all squadron personnel had been together for six years.

On 20 September RAF Aldergrove became Joint Helicopter Flying Station Aldergrove, and the RAF ensign was removed for the last time.

Tri-service aircraft will continue to use Aldergrove, and a number of RAF personnel will remain based there.