Nighthawk One: Recollections of a Helicopter Pilot's Tour of Duty in Northern Ireland During the Troubles

by Peter Shaw

Flying light helicopters in Northern Ireland during the Troubles was a dangerous and demanding task. Terrorists were determined to prosecute a campaign against military aircraft operating in South Armagh and beyond, whilst roadside bombs made the security forces dependent on helicopters for surveillance and troop movements. The Westland Gazelle is one of the longest serving and most successful reconnaissance and observation helicopters. Drawing on his experience as a Gazelle pilot during a real time four-month tour of duty, the author describes what it was actually like to fly as a squadron pilot in the fight against terrorism. This book takes you on an aerial odyssey of the province during 1990 when the conflict was at its height.

This narrative non-fiction account is unique because previous authors on the subject have not been pilots. The author describes the daily experience of being on the front line operating with different organizations in the security forces and how aerial support contributed toward keeping the peace.

With plenty of technical flying content placed in historical context, the book will appeal to both aviation enthusiasts and military historians.

108 pages, Paperback

Published February 21, 2023

Reviews

[Martin Koenigsberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

In 1990, 8 years before the Good Friday Agreements would largely end the Northern Irish "Troubles", Peter Shaw served a tour there as British Army Helicopter Pilot, flying the Aerospatiale/Westland Gazelle. Originally an Engineer in the British Army, Shaw grabbed a chance to try Helo piloting- and passed the courses and moved to the BAOR (British Army On the Rhine), ready to fight in Germany if the Cold War went hot. But the Northern Irish running sore commitment needed staffing, and it was regular thing to do a tour there. This book covers his time there, a short(108 pages) memoir of a short timer riding as the "Eye in the Sky" - overwatch whilst the Toms and Ruperts tried to keep the IRA in check- and the Ulster Defence Regiment reservists and part timers did their bit too. The book is largely about routines and best practices, not active contacts/firefights, but almost the more interesting for it.

The British Army was in Ireland to keep the peace, not to fight per se, and so the Gazelle was being used in its Reconnaissance role, and not as a Gunship. Observe and report, in the classic recce style- giving the sharp edge lads an extra set of eyes. Shaw keeps us informed both about tactical and Strategic issues in this Terror War, and about what flying over cities, suburbs and the countryside is like in a Military Context. There is also a bit of career guidance for those who might want to try their hand at this game today. It's a slim but interesting volume- an amuse bouche for those steeped in the Ulster and Derry dance of death, but enough for the casual reader. I enjoyed it- and will seek more on this topic.

There are a fair amount of adult themes, but few graphic violence passages, so this might be a good match for an "Avgeek" Junior Reader over about 11/12 years. For the Gamer/Modeler/Military Enthusiast, it's an interesting alternative to NATO/Warsaw Pact Cold War reading - but featuring some of the same gear. I doubt anyone is Wargaming NI, but this read would be helpful for any Skirmish or Character Games one might do of any Terror War in modern settings. For the Modeler, there are some good build and diorama ideas- and a nice colour photo section of the Ulster Helo world. Once again, it is the Military Enthusiast who gets the most out of this tome- learning what, how and why a Recce Helo fits into a Police/Army response to Terror tactics. A good read on a struggle that has thankfully subsided, but could boil over again...