Doug Beattie MC, Ulster Unionist Assembly candidate for Upper Bann, has praised the work of the Army’s Ammunition Technical Officers (ATOs) and called for them to be awarded the General Service Medal for their deeds in Northern Ireland.
Speaking following the attempt to murder a Police officer in Londonderry yesterday, where a device exploded as the ATOs were trying to defuse it, Doug Beattie MC said:
“The attempted murder of a police officer in Londonderry yesterday with what sounds like an Under Vehicle Improvised Explosive Device (UVIED) was a vile and indiscriminate act of those with no regard for the community.
“In targeting the police officer they also targeted men, women and children who could have been in the vicinity of the detonation and suffered serious injury. The fact they were not was pure luck and good fortune.
“It is worth noting that when such incidents occur, it is 321 Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Squadron that deploys to deal with them. Based out of Aldergrove they attend incidents like this approximately once a week. Each incident they are called to attend potentially involves deadly devices that could kill or seriously maim. It is a high risk role and a specialised skill that helps keep the people of Northern Ireland safe from these dissident republican psychopaths.
“However although they are on this high risk task, as part of Op HELVETIC, they do not receive the medal recognition their predecessors received as part of Op BANNER. The General Service Medal (GSM) is not routinely awarded to those from the military who undertake Military Aid to Civil Power known as MACP.
“Recently I read a great article by Chris Ryder which outlined the superb work of 321 EOD Squadron. For those interested it is well worth a read. He believes that the freedom of Belfast could be a fitting way to reward the work of these soldiers for their unprecedented service in Northern Ireland over four decades. I fully agree.
“However when your time in the military is served and civilian life becomes your normality, it is the medals you were awarded that reflect the hardship and sacrifice you have suffered during your time in the military. They are something to cherish and pass onto your family in later years.
“We owe these men and women a great debt of gratitude and personally I believe they should receive a GSM for their service in Northern Ireland under Op HELVETIC. I have therefore asked my colleague Tom Elliott MP to lobby the Secretary of State for Defence Sir Michael Fallon MP to take the necessary steps to instigate such an award.”