No. 230 Squadron RAF
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| No. 230 Squadron RAF | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Active | 20 August 1918 |
| Role | Support helicopter |
| Garrison/HQ | RAF Aldergrove |
| Equipment | Westland Puma |
| Motto | "Kita chari jauh" (We search far) |
| Battle honours | Mediterranean 1940-1943, Egypt and Libya 1940-1943, Greece 1940-1941, Malta 1940-1942, Eastern Waters 1943-1945, North Burma 1944, Burma 1945, Gulf 1991. |
| Insignia | |
| Identification symbol |
A tiger in front of a palm tree |
No. 230 Squadron is the only Northern Ireland based squadron of the Royal Air Force. The squadron operates from RAF Aldergrove, the last remaining RAF station in the province.
The squadron was part of the RAF in Germany, operating the Puma HC.1 there from 1980. Following the drawdown at the end of the Cold War the squadron disbanded, this was shortlived however and the squadron reformed at Aldergrove in early May 1992, again with the Puma HC.1.
Today 230 Sqn operates 18 Pumas, these aircraft are rotated with No. 33 Squadron's 15 Pumas to even out flight hours amongst the fleet (Northern Ireland based helicopters have a much higher operational tempo). In 230 Sqn service the main role of the fleet is tactical transport of the Security Forces (mostly British Army) either to patrol points or one of the military bases dotted around Northern Ireland. A well travelled route for the Pumas, as well as visiting Chinooks is to the Royal Irish Regiment camp at Ballykinler, South Down.
The squadron is well experienced in night flying, almost a third of flights are undertaken after dark.
The 2004 Future Capabilities chapter of the UK Defence White Paper, Delivering Security in a Changing World announced a reduction to reduce the squadrons Puma force by 6 helicopters.
