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First opened in 1918 for a year, Aldergrove became a fully operational flying Station in 1925. Operating as an important Coastal Command Station throughout World War Two, Aldergrove is now home to a mixed force of helicopters operating in support of the British Army. 5 Puma HC1s of 72 Squadron and 13 Puma HC1s of 230 Squadron make up the permanently based force, but there are regular detachments from other Puma and Chinook Squadrons. No 3 Squadron of the RAF Regiment are the Field Squadron based at Aldergrove. Two Army Air Corps units are also based at Aldergrove.

THE ROYAL AIR FORCE IN NORTHERN IRELAND

The main military airfield in Northern Ireland is at Aldergrove, Co Antrim, next to Belfast International Airport. The station is commanded by an RAF Group Captain who also commands the Joint Helicopter Force (Northern Ireland) on behalf of the GOC.

The principal role for RAF Aldergrove is to provide a main base for helicopters and an airhead in the Province for other military aircraft. There are 1,000 RAF personnel and more than 350 Army Air Corps air crew and Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineer (REME) personnel on 2 year residential tours of duty in Northern Ireland.

JOINT HELICOPTER FORCE (NORTHERN IRELAND) - JHF(NI) provides helicopter support throughout the Province for troop movements, observation and resupply. Support helicopters are used for search and rescue (SAR) duties in Northern Ireland and its coastal waters. JHF(NI) comprises 5 Regiment Army Air Corps flying a squadron of Lynx helicopters, a squadron of Gazelle helicopters and a flight of Islander aircraft and 230 Squadron RAF a Puma helicopter squadron.  In addition JHF(NI) can call upon RAF Chinook helicopters from RAF Odiham in Hampshire to assist with large-scale troop and equipment movements.

3 SQUADRON RAF REGIMENT - This unit is responsible for assisting the PSNI in the defence of RAF Aldergrove and the International Airport against terrorist attack. The Squadron also provides an Airborne Reaction Force (ARF) for the protection of Royalty and other VIPs when travelling by aircraft in the Province.

RECONNAISSANCE INTELLIGENCE AND GEOGRAPHIC CENTRE (RIGC) - Based at RAF Aldergrove, RIGC utilises Islander aircraft of 5 Regiment, Army Air Corps for reconnaissance duties in support of the security forces in Northern Ireland.

Guide Dogs for the Blind Association (NI).

Over here in Aldergrove the Air Movements Passenger Amenities Fund was very proud to recently make a considerable donation to the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association (NI). The Association has been close to the hearts of AMF for some time with previous donations being made from the AMF Fund. Kath Peart (Local Fundraising Rep) and Nessa McFall, a local resident who has benefited from the services of several Guide Dogs over the last 40 odd years, kindly agreed to meet members of the Air Movements Flt in the Aldergrove Terminal and for Sqn Ldr Pat Walsh (OC Tpt & Movs Sqn) to officially handover a cheque for £2,500.

After the obligatory photoshoot (during which the dog was the first one to sit down and behave), Kath explained to us how the funds donated to the Association are spent. We were all extremely surprised to find out that to fund the initial training and working life of a Guide Dog amounts to a hefty £35,000. Nessa went on to explain how her Guide Dogs have been a crucial part of her life. Having worked in Belfast for many years, she often had to rely on her dogs to get her home safely when bombs and security incidents blocked her normal route on numerous occasions. As she now needs a walking stick, her current dog has been specially trained to help her adapt. Her accounts were quite heartrending and she herself was somewhat tearful in her thanks for the donation. We certainly felt the donation was extremely worthwhile and will continue to endeavour to raise funds for this worthy cause.

The donation was made possible due to the unique way in which the Air Movements manages its Passenger Amenities Fund. We endeavour to provide passengers transiting the terminal with all possible comforts and facilities such as Sky TV, a range of daily papers food/drink and gaming machines. No budget exists for providing such facilities. Consequently, we rely on on the profit share we gain from the gaming and vending machines housed in the terminal to generate the monies to pay for these facilities. We would therefore like to offer our sincere thanks to all those personnel who have used the machines in the terminal, thereby effectively funding this donation.  

(First published in the July 04 Aldergrove Gazette (Stn Magazine). Words Fg Off Adam Hale Pictures RAF Aldergrove Photo Section)

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