Action to be taken over ‘SF’ written on RAF helicopter
Irish Examiner
By John Breslin
DISCIPLINARY action will be taken against a member of the Defence Forces who wrote the letters ‘SF’ on a British Royal Air Force helicopter parked in a hanger at Baldonnel airport.The letters, taken to mean Sinn Féin, were written in dirt on the body of the craft, which was taking part in exercises in Ireland.
Though the probe is continuing, it is known that the letters were written by a member of the Defence Forces who, it is understood, has been identified.
“Someone is going to be up for discipline even though all the indications thus far suggest it was a stupid prank,” said a Defence Forces source.
Defence chiefs believe the stunt was inappropriate and potentially embarrassing, although the three-man British air force team did not make a formal complaint.
“The British are not making a big deal of it,” a Defence Forces spokesman said.
Sources said if the situation was reversed and DUP or UVF was written on an air corps helicopter in a secure area on a base in Britain, the incident would be taken seriously.
The air force team and their liaison officer noticed the lettering on the Puma helicopter just before the craft was due to take off for the return journey to Britain.
The liaison officer decided to report the matter to the group duty officer. Brig Gen Ralph James, officer commanding of the Air Corps, was informed and ordered the investigation.
All personnel who were in the vicinity of the hanger in the 24-hour period between March 5 and 6 have been interviewed. In addition, CCTV footage of the hanger is being studied.
The British crew were in Ireland for training exercises. Pilots have to familiarise themselves with Irish airports and airspace in case they are needed for emergencies such as search and rescue operations or to transport transplant organs.
