Royal Air Force

72 Sqn Royal Air Force Aldergrove. Sgt Dave Rigby. Age 25 ... Air Load Master, died in a Wessex helicopter accident whilst on night operations in Forkhill , South Armagh on 25 October 1985.
The Wesssex collided with a radio mast after taking off from a field DZ after dropping troops in the field DZ. 4 soldiers and two crew members survived the crash. The RAF operated 68 Wessex helicopters designated HC.Mk.2 in the troop carrying and support roles, with No.72 Squadron being the first RAF squadron to become operational on the type at RAF Odiham, near Basingstoke, Hampshire in 1964 ... 1969 saw the squadron begin its involvement in Northern Ireland with a detachment to RAF Ballykelly and then to RAF Aldergrove. It maintained this detachment until 1981when the decision was made to move the entire Squadron to Aldergrove where it remained until its disbandment in June 2002 having supported the British Army and RUC unstintingly for 33 years. The Wessex could carry 16 fully-laden troops or an under-slung load comprising usually a Howitzer field gun or Land Rover.

■1969 - Operations in Northern Ireland with Wessex/Puma. 

Westland Wessex HC.2 - No.72 Squadron,

RAF 72 Squadron ... Wikipedia

Senior Aircraftsman John Baxter Aged 21 RAF Regiment.
Killed by a booby-trapped bomb, which had been attached to the underside of his car at Nieuw-Bergan in Holland along
with another young airman John Miller. The IRA claimed responsibility for this outrage on the 01-05-1988.

Senior Aircraftsman John Miller Reed Aged 22 RAF Regiment. 
Killed by a booby-trapped bomb, which had been attached to the underside of his friends car, airman John Baxter at
Nieuw-Bergan Holland... The IRA claimed responsibility for this outrage on the 01-05-1988.

Senior Aircraftsman Ian Shinner Aged 20 RAF Regiment.
Shot dead by a sniper while off duty and driving his car at Roermond in Holland on the 01-05-1988. The IRA claimed
responsibility for this brutal killing.

Cpl Ian Learmonth
From Scotland, Known as 'Jock' Learmonth by all of his friends.

Cpl Maheshume Islania.
 The IRA gun attack, which took place on 26th October 1989 killed Corporal Maheshumer Islania of the Royal Air Force and his 6 month old daughter Nivruti Mahesh Islania who was in the car with her father as they went to a Schnell Imbiss in Wildenrath village. 

Sqn Ldr Michael Haverson.
(Pilot) Royal Air Force. Killed on the 26th November 1992 when the Puma Helicopter he was flying, was involved in a tragic flying accident
as it was coming in to land at the Bessbrook Army Base in Armagh.

Flt Lt Simon S.M.J. Roberts.
 (Co Pilot) Royal Air Force. Killed on the 26th November 1992 when the Puma he was flying was involved in a tragic flying accident as
it was coming in to land at the Bessbrook Army Base in Armagh.

Flt Sgt Jan Pewtress.
(Air Load Master) Royal Air Force. Killed on the 26th November 1992 when the Puma helicopter he was crewing was involved in a
tragic flying accident as it was coming in to land at the Bessbrook Army Base in Armagh.

Major John Barr

Princess of Wales Royal

Princess Of Wales Royal Regiment (PWRR) Killed on the 26th November 1992, while travelling as a passenger on the Puma that was
involved in a tragic Flying accident as it came in to land at the Bessbrook Army Base in Armagh.