219 Signal Squadron
219 Signal Squadron has 3 x deployable Troops that are assisted by Support Troop whose focus is on the maintenance of generators and vehicles and stores support for the remaining Squadron elements.
The 3 x deployable Troops, Falcon, Eagle and Phoenix Troop all hold Cormorant and Bowman equipment.
2 x Troops are permanently held at High Readiness to support deployments in locations that could be anywhere in the world.
Overall, time in the Squadron is extremely challenging and rewarding.
FORTHCOMING PLANS
219 Signal Squadron has recently moved into an extremely busy period and is supporting 2 x Very High Readiness Tasks.
In addition, it has soldiers deployed to both Qatar and Tampa Bay in Florida in support of Op VERITAS and has supported various global exercises including deployments to Canada (Ex GLOBAL PLAIN) and Kenya (Ex GRAND PRIX and Ex GLOBAL GOLD).
The Squadron is also in the process of preparing for an infantry exercise in Cyprus (Ex LION SUN) and has completed adventurous training exercises which have included canoeing, pot-holing and arduous walks across the hill-sides.
On top of this busy and rewarding schedule the Squadron is supporting the annual ‘Race the Sun’ competition which is a day long relay race between sun-rise and sun-set, relay events include fell running, an assault course and a lake swim.
SQUADRON HISTORY
219 (Tripolitania) Signal Squadron was formed in September 1959 from the Tripolitania Signal Squadron Middle East Land Forces. The Tripolitania Signal Squadron had provided static communications since February 1943.
The allocation of 219 was curiously out of sequence with the remaining allotted numbers for sub units in the period 1959. As a consequence, its companion Squadron, based in Cyrenaica, was given the number 245.
Based at Prinn Barracks, five miles south of Tripoli, 219 Signal Squadron provided static communications for British units dispersed throughout Libya. It also maintained communications with Malta, Benghazi, RAF El Adem and the USAF Wheelus Air Force Base.
It operated in conjunction with 245 Signal Squadron, covering and supporting two districts into which Libya was divided in 1943.
It was distinct from the main operational formation in Libya 1952-1957 which was 25th Armoured Brigade Signals and was later enlarged into the 10th Armoured Divisional Signal Regiment in 1956 [q.v. 10 Signal Regiment].
219 (Tripolitania) Signal Squadron was disbanded on the 14th February 1966 and its personnel were the last British troops to depart Libya that year. 219 Signal Squadron was reformed as an Access Squadron on 25th January 1993 from 3 Squadron, 2 Signal Regiment. The squadron was divided into 4 troops, Eagle and Falcon providing 2 secondary access node groups (SAN), Phoenix with VHF, HF and RATT land rover borne capability and Support providing mobility, spares and maintenance back up.
During October 2004, 219 Signal Squadron released Ptarmigan and welcomed Cormorant as the new Local and Wide Area Communications System. To that end the Squadron was restructured to meet the new requirements. In addition, 219 Signal Squadron was ‘Bowmanised’ in 2007. 219 Signal squadron now provides Information Communication Services at extremely high readiness, and has just completed successful operational tours to Afghanistan (Op HERRICK 6) and Iraq (Op TELIC 12).