Posted - Aldergrove

[bluetonic]

Hi, i could be posted to Aldergrove in the summer,[/B]have'nt got much information on the camp/conditions etc, if anyone has any info i should know that could prepare us better for the move, please let me know. Many Thanks.:PDT_Xtremez_19:

[Hu Jardon]

Hi, i could be posted to Aldergrove in the summer as a a/tech (m) Cpl on 230.have'nt got much information on the camp/conditions etc, if anyone has any info i should know that could prepare us better for the move, please let me know. Many Thanks.:PDT_Xtremez_19:
Try PMing goatherdingsplitter he's out there now

Hu

I warn you now though he looks like your avatar without the beard and glasses

:PDT_Xtremez_28::PDT_Xtremez_30::PDT_Xtremez_30::P DT_Xtremez_30:

[Tigger]

I spent 3 and half years on 230. Aldergrove was the best years of my career. I got paid loads, had my motorbike out there and generally had a fookin great time. If you get the chance, go watch the North West 200.

Usually if you are on 230 you live in either Lancaster or Halifax block, which wasn't too bad. Married patch wasn't bad if you got one of the wimpey homes.

Shifts were excellent 21 on 9 off lates then days. Swing shift was a doss, only thing to do was BF the cabs and look after the pig.

[tonkaplonka]

I spent 3 and half years on 230. Aldergrove was the best years of my career. I got paid loads, had my motorbike out there and generally had a fookin great time. If you get the chance, go watch the North West 200.

Usually if you are on 230 you live in either Lancaster or Halifax block, which wasn't too bad. Married patch wasn't bad if you got one of the wimpey homes.

Shifts were excellent 21 on 9 off lates then days. Swing shift was a doss, only thing to do was BF the cabs and look after the pig.

Not so good now. Unless you're from NI I wouldn't recommend it at all. Our shifts are now supposed to be Monday to Friday as per normal mainland sqns, but are pretty much 12 on 2 off. You have no chance of getting back to the mainland on your short weekend. With a Friday nightshift where you start at 12 noon and knock off pretty late, usually past 9pm then back in 8am Saturday to cover the "essential" weekend flyers. You'll also be visiting Iraq on a regular basis, but a lot of the guys prefer this to being on the Sqn.
The actual work on a puma is pretty straight forward and they are very reliable most of the time compared to other RAF aircraft but don't worry, the sqn management have a knack of keeping everybody busy until late on, with hanger cleans and bin emptying a plenty. A good place is the shredder room, an old favourite, especially getting called in on a Saturday to empty it.

[FoxyFed]

I spent 4 and a half years out in NI and one thing I would suggest is getting off camp as often as you can. If your a singly the blocks arent too bad. You can fit a double bed in and still have lots of room. Couple of super blocks but there is a waiting list. Belfast is only 10 mins away and a good night on the lash. Shopping is very good. It also rains every day even on the 5 days of sunshine you get in the summer. (Ok maybe 7 days of sunshine). I also believe you get 12 travel warrants a year now. I had a great time out there. Work hard and play hard being the motto for all the sections out there.

[Goatherdingsplitter]

Try PMing goatherdingsplitter he's out there now

Hu

I warn you now though he looks like your avatar without the beard and glasses

:PDT_Xtremez_28::PDT_Xtremez_30::PDT_Xtremez_30::P DT_Xtremez_30:

Thanks for the reference Hu - not!

On a more serious note, try looking at Aldergrove's home page on t'intranet, there is some useful info. Also give 230 a bell (TM, FS or Wobbly), when I served there we had a system of meeting personnel at the Ferry port/ Airport so they did not have to worry about wandering around the Province asking for directions to RAF Aldergrove.

[bluetonic]

Thanks for your help chaps, s'pose i better get my desert kit sorted. cheers again:PDT_Xtremez_28:

[roverboy]

Not so good now. Unless you're from NI I wouldn't recommend it at all. Our shifts are now supposed to be Monday to Friday as per normal mainland sqns, but are pretty much 12 on 2 off. You have no chance of getting back to the mainland on your short weekend.

I'm sure the people of Northern Ireland and Eire would enjoy being thought of islanders who live off the mainland of England, Scotland and Wales!!

[BillyBoy]

I'm sure the people of Northern Ireland and Eire would enjoy being thought of islanders who live off the mainland of England, Scotland and Wales!!

Everyone refers to back home as the mainland, its just one of those things that catch on once youve been there a while.

I spent 3 & half years out there and i can easily say that it was the best time of my RAF career so far. Although i was at the RIC and not 230, so i cant say for your job, but the social side was ace and you could pretty much go to a different bar every night of the week. The local area is fantastic whether your into shopping (Belfast, Lisburn, Ballymena), clubbing (Belfast Odysee Arena) or sight seeing (North Coast).

I believe the NI pay and the 20 on 8 off have stopped, so i suppose its not gonna be as good as a few years ago, but as they say "its what you make of it", and there is plenty of scope to have a great posting.

Enjoy it. Hope ive helped :PDT_Xtremez_28:

[tonkaplonka]

I'm sure the people of Northern Ireland and Eire would enjoy being thought of islanders who live off the mainland of England, Scotland and Wales!!
I apologise for that, i sometimes remind people of that as well, and I've been reminded by friends who live here about it as well, but it's usually taken in good faith.

[Chew-My-Root]

All I can say about it is the days of partying, drinking and socialising are gone. The camp is pretty quiet now. Can get quite busy at work with aircraft washes and husbandry and cleaning and polishing. But you cant polish a turd! Its not too bad though. I enjoy it cos I like cleaning stuff lots then cleaning it again. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder!