RockNet, the Headquarters of the RAF Regiment Network

How come there is nothing about the Regiment Squadron's tours in Northern Ireland? I had four tours there, three with 16 Field Squadron when we were stationed a RAF Catterick. We went to RAF Aldergrove in 69 to guard a stupid pumping station (rifles but no ammo) then to Enniskillen at the TAVR Drill hall doing border helicopter patrols and also doing mobile road blocks. My next tour in Nr Ireland was in Londonderry stationed at HMS Sea Eagle. The last time was 72 when we were sent from RAF Gutersloh when I was with 26 LLAD Squadron at Gutersloh. I guess they were right when we were called the forgotten army. I guess our Northern Ireland times don't count??

Welcome to Rocknet, I hope that you will continue to post and join in the banter, we don't take too much very seriously. Be prepared to have the piss ripped out of you, I can guarantee you will think that you are back in the mob sometimes.

As for the Corps work in Operation Banner I would say that the majority of us on here have done a number of tours in NI during the operation and over time there has been many discussions re NI and our role over there. Stay tuned I can assure you that it is not a forgotten subject in this site.

I know how you feel we did the same no Mod records saving what they cherry pick
Historical Postings of airman L8068636 David Nicholls from the date he signed up to date of discharge.
18-03-1968
RAF Swinderby Lincolnshire May 1968 through to June 1968

RAF Catterick North Yorkshire end of June 1968 through to August 1968

RAF Colerne 2 field August October
Re-mustered back to RAF Catterick to bolster C Flight 48Sqn 33 wing for deployment to NI Linsley Barracks Omagh NI

*RAF Catterick North Yorkshire short stay 48 Sqn C Flight deployed to Omagh Linsley Barracks Northern Ireland (17/21st Lancers) late October 1968 R/T to RAF Catterick North Yorkshire
mid January 1969

*Detachment to RAF Tengah Singapore and Malaya Jungle warfare training , late February 1969 May 1969 R/T to RAF Catterick North Yorkshire

*Hospital RAF Leeming North Yorkshire 1970 May through to June 1969 double pneumonia then sick leave 6 weeks

1969 returned back to RAF Catterick North Yorkshire Jan 1969

1969 48Sqn of 33 wing for deployment to NI Linsley Barracks Omagh NI
deployed to Omagh Linsley Barracks Northern Ireland (17/21st Lancers)

RAF Kai-Tak Hong Kong 1970 R/T to RAF Catterick February 1971 R/T to RAF Catterick North Yorkshire April 1970. 2 weeks. in British Army Military Prison Stone Cutters Island Hong Kong.

R/T/U RAF Catterick

1970 RAF Aldergove Northern Ireland

RAF Aldergrove 1971 attempted suicide due stress related illness (now known as PTSD) Royale Victoria Hospital Belfast Army wing then on to RAF Halton military hospital psychiatric wing, discharged in May 1972.

*RAF HALTON Possibly 0ctober through to June I cannot be certain of this due to the Fact I was quite possibly held in a secure ward medically sedated I have no recollection of arriving at RAF only my arrival back at RAF Catterick

Left RAF Catterick 20th of June 1970?

I it is a disgrace

Hi Idletester ,David Nicholls ....You are both right ..Very little is said about Ni and Rocks . Apart from in here ...there are stories about Ni dotted about all over the place . Well there would be ...lots of us did Ni ...and Rocknet is the place to place your stories and memories .
I believe it is quite rare for a Rock to get the splendid Psycological " care " as in Davids case . That level of " care" is usually reserved for folks that have seen ,or more probably done , something very nasty and to get chemicaly wiped like that is not best medical practice , unless you got selected to be a test subject . Think Clockwork Orange .
A suicide event lets the medical crew off behaving correctly , because if anything doesnt work , or you end up more damaged ...well...they were just trying to save a life ...Fucking Fucks . Like 2x pneumonia ..and then get sent to Catterick !!!! ...a bad joke !.
It is also true to point out that many Rocks joined up because of some trauma in their lives ...
I got diagnosed with Mild paranoia and psycopathic tendancys . Hardly a surprise ...if you jump out of airplanes flying close to the ground at 120 knots at night and carry a Gpmg , I guess that would be part of the skill set that is needed for the job .
To say that Rocks in Ni are forgotten is partially true . Barmaids and wives all over Ni probably have memorys of us .
Welcome To Rocknet !!
Chopper.

I think we can cope with if you served with the Regiment it was part and parcel of your basic training besides I can recall a certain NCO telling us we were all shit were upon we said you can't take the piss out of shit