AAC secretly flying Pumas in NI in the 80's
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AAC secretly flying Pumas in NI in the 80's
There is supposedly a new book coming out that describes the feats of a secret RUC unit who "set aside the ROE" to take on the IRA. A quote from the web page states:-
Yes, I have noted the spelling mistakes on the web page... 
I'm thinking it would have been pretty difficult to hide the existence of the AAC Puma(s) from the two Puma squadrons and 72 squadron. They would also need engineering support and aircraft would have to be swapped in and out for major servicing. The aviation world at the time would surely have known about this. Hands up if you can shed any light on it...
It seems to me that this simply checkable detail gives rise to doubt about the voracity of the entire book.
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This unit was primarily an air support unit, using Puma SA330 Helicopters flown by the Army Air Corp, operating over the entire six counties of Northern Ireland, but the main threatre of operations being in the South Armagh region and surrounding border.
The unit operated as a support team for security force ground units, and a rapid reaction deployment force from Bessbrook Mill outside Newry usually after any terrorist incidend or attack. The book covers the period from 1980 until it's disbandment in 1994.
The unit operated as a support team for security force ground units, and a rapid reaction deployment force from Bessbrook Mill outside Newry usually after any terrorist incidend or attack. The book covers the period from 1980 until it's disbandment in 1994.
I'm thinking it would have been pretty difficult to hide the existence of the AAC Puma(s) from the two Puma squadrons and 72 squadron. They would also need engineering support and aircraft would have to be swapped in and out for major servicing. The aviation world at the time would surely have known about this. Hands up if you can shed any light on it...
It seems to me that this simply checkable detail gives rise to doubt about the voracity of the entire book.
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As far as AAC operating a Puma is concerned it's probably just a misconception on the part of whoever wrote the web page.Having said that, the Army Air Corps are the best pilots in the world. According to Top Gear.
I'm thinking it would have been pretty difficult to hide the existence of the AAC Puma(s) from the two Puma squadrons and 72 squadron.
) Puma squadrons there at all!CG
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All SH helicopters in NI were flown by the "Army". I heard it many times on the news. Even when the Puma parked behind the reporter had the following writing in big letters "Royal Air Force".
The aviation world at the time would surely have known about this. Hands up if you can shed any light on it...
Did they mean to say the pilots were secretly flying the Pumas......and did not to suggest the Pumas were secret? Or...that Army Pilots were secretly flying RAF Puma's and even the RAF did not tweak?
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"Would there have been any need to form a separate unit when the SAS and SBS were already insitu?"
Well that's let the cat out of the bag!
With security like that, it's a miracle the Puma affair has been kept under wraps for so long...
Well that's let the cat out of the bag!
With security like that, it's a miracle the Puma affair has been kept under wraps for so long...
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The SBS lived in submarines in Loch Neagh. I thought everyone knew that.
Quite a few army pilots saw the light, changed over to light blue uniforms and did later fly Puma. Not that anyone wore light blue uniforms in that theatre. Maybe that is how incorrect information was generated.
Quite a few army pilots saw the light, changed over to light blue uniforms and did later fly Puma. Not that anyone wore light blue uniforms in that theatre. Maybe that is how incorrect information was generated.
