Royal Air Force,JEVER
Royal Air Force ALDERGROVE |
22.4.58
September |
1959. |
THE DUNCAN TROPHY
1. No. 118 Squadron was disbanded on 31st July 1957, having previously won the
DUNCAN TROPHY in the Second Tactical Air Force, but to enable the presentation of the
Trophy to be made, the Squadron was reformed for one day, the 22nd April 1958. The
presentation was made by the Commander in Chief, Second Tactical Air Force,
Air Marshal SIR HUMPHREY EDWARDES JONES, K.C.B., D.F.C., A.F.C. B.A., to the last
Officer Commanding, Squadron Leader N.C.P. BUDDIN, at Royal Air Force, JEVER.
2. We of the present Squadron offer our sincere congratulations and hope we may
maintain the high standard of efficiency set by our predecessors.
Air Marshal Sir Humphrey Edwardes Jones, KCB, CBE, DFC, AFC C-in-C 2TAF presenting the Duncan Trophy for Gunnery to 118 Sqn CO Norman Buddin - 22Apr58 (Thanks Bill Maish) (Not in F540).
Ken Goodwin shaking hands with Air Marshal Sir Humphrey Edwardes Jones, KCB, CBE, DFC, AFC, C-in-C 2TAF during the parade to present the Duncan Trophy for Gunnery to 118 Sqn - 22pr58.
Behind L to R: Denny Denison and Dickie Barraclough (Thanks Bill Maish) (Not in F540).
Air Marshal Sir Humphrey Edwardes Jones, KCB, CBE, DFC, AFC, C-in-C 2TAF talking to Bill Maish on the
parade to present the Duncan Trophy for Gunnery to 118 Sqn - 22Apr58.
Others L to R: Stanford Howard, CO Norman Buddin, Unknown, Gp Capt Sid Hughes Stn Cdr.
(Thanks Bill Maish) (Not in F540).
(The Squadron was reformed as a helicopter squadron on 1Sep59. Here is the first F540.)
OPERATIONS
SUMMARY
1. The task given to the Officer Commanding No. 118 Squadron concerning the
operational use of the Squadron gave the role as "To support the Army in Anti-I.R.A.
operations." The tasks allotted were :-
(a) Reconnaissance.
(b) Cordon and search in conjunction with troops and/or Police on the ground.
(c) Rapid air transport of small air parties of troops and/or Police in an
operational role.
(d) Training for (b) and (c) above.
2. The operational capabilities and limitations were listed as :-
(a) An effort of the order of 100 flying hours per month on operations and
operational training, with a probable maximum effort of 50 hours in any week.
(b) Helicopters to be capable of operating from dawn to dusk, but not at night,
although they can roleplay at night in preparation for first light operations.
(c) Fuel to be provided by the Army at forward bases.
(d) Operational load to be one pilot, one navigator and three passengers, at
the pilot's' discretion.
(e) Members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary to be carried, subject to
identification.
3. The state of readiness to be one helicopter at three hours notice to move, but
can be reduced to 15 minutes readiness to meet operational requirements.
4. The Army formation appointed to control the operational employment of the
Squadron was 39 Infantry Brigade Group, who can communicate directly with the Squadron
on all operational and connected military training matters.
5. The Squadron Commander visited the Brigade Commander on 4th September 1959, and
a programme was agreed to cover the initial training of the three regiments based in
Northern Ireland, and of the Ulster Constabulary. The periods allotted were :-
(a) 14th - 19th September - 39 Brigade Exercise.
(b) 20th - 26th September - Duke of Wellington Regiment.
(c) 27th - 3rd October - Kings Royal Rifle Corps.
(d) 4th - 10th October - 11th Hussars.
6. The 39 Brigade Exercise, HOT ROCKS, was designed to cover the northern part of the
country with headquarters at LIMAVADY, a disused airfield. Two helicopters,
FLT.LT. F.M. TAYLOR and FLT.LT. T.L. THOMPSON, positioned there on the 14th September,
and carried out the initial training of the Kings Royal Rifle Corps. On the 15th
September, the same two pilots carried out recce's of the area, and delivered aerial
photographs taken by Austers of No. 651 Squadron, Army Air Corps to Royal Air Force,
ALDERGROVE. On the 16th September, a cordon and search operation using two helicopters
was successfully carried out, and rapid air transport of the troops to their base at
LIMAVADY completed the day's effort. On the 17th September, two helicopters carried
out a dawn cordon and search on a spot height, 1260', and again with great success.
The exercise was completed at 1000 hours on this day.
7. The week , 20th-26th September, was devoted to the initial training of the Duke
of Wellington Regiment at HOLLYWOOD BARRACKS. On completion of the training, a
cordon and search operation was carried out by two helicopters, FLT.LT. T.L. THOMPSON
and F.SGT. G. TINKLER, on the T.V. station at BELFAST. Initial training was also
completed with the detachment of the Duke of Wellington Regiment and the Royal Ulster
Constabulary at LONDONDERRY. FLT.LT. F.M. TAYLOR, but bad weather prevented a cordon
and search operation and border patrol planned for the 25th September.
9. The week, 27th-3rd October, was devoted to the Kings Royal Rifle Corps. All
troops had been initially trained on Exercise "HOT ROCKS", and the first two days
were allocated to training the Royal Ulster Constabulary in the K.R.R.C. area of
responsibility. One helicopter, FLT.LT. F.M. TAYLOR and SGT. L>G. SPINKS, carried
out this training at WHITECROSS and MADDEN. On the 30th September, a combined
exercise was carried out from WHITECROSS using two helicopters, FLT.LT. T.L. THOMPSON
and F.SGT. G. TINKLER. |
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