Northern Ireland-based soldiers, who recently returned from Afghanistan, have celebrated moving into their new purpose-built headquarters and workshops with a special gun run and salute.

While 40th Regiment Royal Artillery (The Lowland Gunners), based at Thiepval Barracks, were busy on duty in Helmand contractors were working flat out to complete their new base in Northern Ireland. 

During the opening celebrations in Lisburn, the Regiment was able to honour a number of colleagues who won Operational Honours during the arduous deployment. 

County Antrim, three Chief of Joint Operations Commendations and two Commander British Forces (Afghanistan) Commendations, for outstanding contribution during Operation Herrick 10 and one Long Service and Good Conduct Medal were presented to 40th Regiment personnel. 

The new HQ – specially designed and built for a deployable regiment – is called 'Home Lines' (pronounced Hume) after the tartan worn by 40th Regiment. Lines is a term used for any building occupied by soldiers and goes back to the 1st World War trenches where the soldiers lived and held back the enemy lines. 

The ceremonies finished with a unique gun run competition. Two teams of 6-7 military personnel emerged from vehicles and assembled L118 105 Light Guns for action before completing an assault course and then returning to fire the gun.

The L118 105 Light Gun has been used in every British conflict since the Falklands war and is still in use in Afghanistan today. It is mobile, durable, dependable and is suitable for any weather conditions and is regarded as a classic piece of Artillery.