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)