Back into the debate.
As stated on Page 1 the role of the SDO is to be the Stn Cdr's rep during the 'down period' from COP to restart (ie. overnight). Some stations have traditionally also appointed an OO to act as the SDO's gopher. However, dependent upon local circumstance, these duties can be, and have been, amalgamated. Because one is representing the Staish, one wears uniform (either No 1 or No 2 dependent upon local orders). The lowering of the ensign is a tradition that signifies the end of the day's routine work (stand by night-flying etc) whether it be 1800 or 1600 (summer or winter) and the 0800 raising indicates the start of the day. It is also a tradition that an officer, nominally the CO's rep, salutes the ensign as a mark of respect, whilst an NCO executes the act and all military personnel within earshot of the whistle blast(s) stand to attention (officers saluting). Civilians on military units are not bound by these traditions and, thankfully, never will be (the fewer the better IMHO). But you knew all that! As far as I am aware the Army and Navy have similar 'Sunset' ceremonies.
So, it goes without saying that, the SWO in Ireland was an ar$e, who got what he deserved! But if you are officer or NCO aircrew you do your respective duty like everyone else and, during the down period, you wear the appropriate uniform which is not a flying suit. If, because of flying programming and demands on currency etc, you have to and unavoidably go night flying and cannot arrange a total duty swap, then you take your responsibility and arrange for someone to take over your duty for that period when you are unavailable.
That's the way we aircrew have always resolved it and I cannot think of a reason why circumstance might have changed.
Anyway, who better to represent the Staish than the master race!?
Doh! Ruined it!