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The international flavour of this mission is evidenced by the Squadron's historical and current deployment locations, as follows:

• Falkland Islands
• Cyprus
• Ascension Island
• Gibraltar
• Nepal
• Iraq  

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 The Falkland Islands

Britain maintains a significant military presence on the Falkland Islands, centered around the operational base at Mount Pleasant Airfield (MPA).

The Squadron has maintained a significant level of support for the Joint Communications Unit Falkland Islands (JCUFI) for many years.

This normally takes the form of a Troop Level deployment every year.

This concentration of manpower gives JCUFI the ability to carry out large labour intensive projects.

These have included major frame changes and cable replacements and more recently the installation of long distance fibre optic runs. 

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 Cyprus

The Sovereign Base Areas (SBA) at Episkopi, Dhekelia, Ayios Nikolaos and RAF Akrotiri have all recently benefited from large scale support from the Squadron.

External works have included the erection of pole routes, overhead and underground cabling and relocating cabinets.

Additionally, frame replacements and internal installation work has been undertaken including complete PABX installation with all its attendant cabling.

Numerous frames are being upgraded to Krone type connections.

By scheduling multiple half Troop deployments the Squadron has been able to maintain a constant presence on the ground in Cyprus, as in other theatres, for weeks or months at a time to fit the shape of particular tasks. 

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Ascension Island

A small island in the equatorial mid Atlantic, Ascension Island periodically hit the headlines during events such as the Falklands War, the Apollo Space Program and of course the Second World War.

The remote, but strategic position of the island means that it is a vital communications site.

The Squadron used to be regularly called upon to work on the military systems on the island, which remains sovereign British territory, but in recent years the Squadron has been tasked elsewhere.

The rocky ground conditions meant that the Squadron has had to demonstrate its skills in overhead working. With its warm climate and unusual wildlife, notably the large turtles, Ascension is always a sought after posting for TA soldiers.

The Squadron last deployed to Ascension Island in 1999.

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Gibraltar

Britain continues to maintain a military garrison in Gibraltar, known affectionately as "The Rock".

Like Ascension, the ground conditions are indeed rocky, although the island benefits from a well established military tunnel system.

Recently, the Squadron has been installing modern fibre optic infrastructure in these historic constructions. Troop level deployments to Gibraltar have now become a regular feature in the annual deployment plan.

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 Nepal

Nepal was a new deployment location for the Squadron in 2005, and since then Troops have been identified to carry on projects in the Gurkha Headquarters in Khatmandu and at Polchara.

The focus of the projects have been upgrading and expanding copper and fibre infrastructure, work which is expected to continue in the future.

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Iraq

Deployments to Iraq have been undertaken since 2003, when a team of 81 Signal Squadron soldiers was mobilised for six months to serve in Basra.

This team was integrated with the Regular Army and undertook communications infrastructure tasks and various other military duties.

Since then over 50 soldiers have voluntarily mobilised to Operation TELIC, with tours ranging from six weeks to seven months.

Most soldiers have been mobilised on short-term "surge" deployments lasting six weeks, which focused on the deployment of Bowman and Headquarters Communications infrastructure across the British Area of Operations in Southern Iraq.

These short term deployments provide a sustainable model for the Squadron, its soldiers, their families and employers.

Soldiers from 81 Signal Squadron who have deployed to Iraq have discovered that their skills have been well utilised, and they have acquitted themselves exceptionally well both militarily and professionally.

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Brunei

Since 2002 the Squadron has deployed a Troop to Brunei annually to carry out work on the underground cabling infrastructure.

This was the first deployment location where work was undertaken in extreme weather conditions, namely hot and humid, giving the troops a chance to add to their experience.

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