RAF Puma Farewell in Northern Ireland Aldergrove

The end of an era as the RAF Puma helicopter flies into retirement. We managed to catch a 3-ship arriving and departing Aldergrove as part of the retirement farewell flight on 26th March 2025.

We grew up watching the Puma, Lynx, Gazelle, Chinook and Wessex operating in Northern Ireland over the years. The Puma was a great workhorse and remained in service for over 50 years.

A lovely moment on the radio was when the crew called up for an "officers mess join" - "we haven't heard that in a long time" was the response from ATC.

The arrival time at Aldergrove was 2.30pm - an ode to 230 Squadron perhaps? The Puma was operated locally by 230 and 72 Squadrons for many years.

Farewell Puma and thanks for the memories.

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I spent a few months over the other side there with the Pumas & Wessex. She'll be missed