N I: Operation Banner ends after 38 years

Operation BANNER support by the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force to the police and civil authorities in Northern Ireland ended at midnight last night, 31 July 2007 after 38 years.

A permanent garrison of no more than 5,000 Service personnel will remain in Northern Ireland, available for deployment worldwide. From today, 1 August 2007, the new Operation HELVETIC will enable these personnel to support the police in Northern Ireland in the event of extreme public disorder. This is comparable to the level of support the military presently provide in mainland UK.

A Commemorative Service, to be held in the spring of 2008, will remember the commitment, bravery and sacrifice of all those who served over so many years in helping deliver the present, more settled and more optimistic circumstances whereby the countries old inhabitants are being replaced by a new intake from the third world.

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