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British Army

Components British Army Territorial Army List of current regiments Structure of the British Army Administration HQ Land Command HQ Adjutant-General HQ Northern Ireland Overseas Deployments British Forces Germany British Forces Cyprus British Forces Gibraltar Equipment Modern Equipment History History of the British Army Timeline of the British Army Personnel List of senior officers Officer rank insignia Enlisted rank insignia

HQ Northern Ireland is the command formation responsible for the administration of all British Armed Forces stationed in and around Northern Ireland.

Northern Ireland is one of the largest British Army garrisons, with two brigades under its operational control. One of these is the regional brigade for TA units in the province, while the other contains units that are utilised as part of Operation Banner. HQ 3 Infantry Brigade disbanded on September 1, 2004, as the situation in Northern Ireland continued to normalise. The Brigades in Northern Ireland have a static Internal Security role and are not suited for any other functions.

It was announced in the House of Commons on 10 May 2006 that '..in addition to the HQ and other units of 19 Light Brigade that we expect to relocate to Northern Ireland in 2007 and 2008, a new and non-deployable regional brigade headquarters will form at Thiepval Barracks, Lisburn. The current HQ 107 (Ulster) Brigade, based at Ballymena, will merge on 15 December this year into HQ 39 Infantry Brigade, which will itself be replaced by the new regional brigade headquarters, 38th (Irish) Brigade, on 1 August 2007'. [1]

19 (Light) Brigade, will move from Catterick Garrison to Northern Ireland in 2007, but will remain under the command of 3rd (Mechanised) Division. At present, three regular infantry battalions are stationed in Northern Ireland. In addition, there are three battalions of the Royal Irish Regiment (27th (Inniskilling), 83rd, 87th and Ulster Defence Regiment) dedicated solely to internal security in the province as part of Operation Banner. However, these three battalions will be disbanded in 2007 with the normalisation of the situation in Northern Ireland.

The RAF's presence in Northern Ireland is based at RAF Aldergrove. The only flying squadron is No. 230 Squadron, which operates the Westland Puma. However detachments of Pumas and Chinooks from other squadrons are regularly deployed to Aldergrove in support of the army. No. 3 Squadron is the RAF Regiment field squadron stationed at Aldergrove, while two squadrons from 5 Regiment, Army Air Corps are also stationed there.

The Royal Navy no longer maintain a regular presence in Northern Ireland waters with the disbandment of the Northern Ireland Squadron. The Royal Navy's main presence is HMS Caroline, which serves as the HQ of the Royal Naval Reserve's Ulster Division.

• Permanent Units
  • HQ Northern Ireland
  • 15 Signal Regiment
  • 39 Infantry Brigade
    • 213 Signal Squadron
    • The Black Watch, 3rd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland (Holywood)
    • 1st Battalion, The 22nd (Cheshire) Regiment (Ballykinler)
    • 2nd Battalion, The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment (Queen's and Royal Hampshires) (Ballykelly)
    • 2nd Battalion, The Royal Irish Regiment (27th (Inniskilling), 83rd, 87th and Ulster Defence Regiment)
    • 3rd Battalion, The Royal Irish Regiment (27th (Inniskilling), 83rd, 87th and Ulster Defence Regiment)
    • 4th Battalion, The Royal Irish Regiment (27th (Inniskilling), 83rd, 87th and Ulster Defence Regiment)
  • 107 (Ulster) Brigade
    • North Irish Horse
    • Royal Irish Rangers
    • 152 Transport Regiment, Royal Logistic Corps
  • 40 (Ulster) Signal Regiment
  • No. 230 Squadron, RAF
  • No. 3 Squadron, RAF Regiment
  • 5 Regiment, Army Air Corps
  • 25 Engineer Regiment
  • 253 Medical Regiment, Royal Army Medical Corps

• HQ Northern Ireland
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