At midnight tonight 31st July 2007 Operation "Banner" the deployment of British troops on the streets of Northern Ireland in support of the civilian police officially comes to an end.
At 38 years it is the longest operational deployment in the history of the Army. Op Banner ( I myself did 3 tours) was the main area of active service for the majority of the Army for over 3 decades, it produced (according to many) the best anti insurgency/peace keeping force in the world.
But did it? was it a success? answers on a postcard.............