1977
The way Ahead
- A plain-clothes operation by 5 UDR in Magherafelt recovers a Thompson sub-machine gun and three .303 rifles.
- UDR patrols encounter a number of illegal VCPs mounted by former B Specials and send them home. 5 men are arrested and charged in County Armagh.
- 29 April until 13 May - All 11 battalions placed on call-out for two weeks to conduct operations against the loyalist United Unionist Action Group who planned a general strike to commence on 3 May. 1 RWF placed under command of 9 UDR at Ballymena to keep the main road through the town open. Ian Paisley and eight supporters arrested and taken to 9 UDR HQ in St Patrick's Barracks. 7 UDR provides escorts to train drivers to prevent loyalist attack. 10 UDR finds two handguns and six loyalist paramilitaries are arrested as a result. 4 UDR finds an RPG 7, explosives, detonators and ammunition during a planned search.
- 9–12 August - All 11 battalions called out to cover a visit by Queen Elizabeth II to Northern Ireland.
- September - 3 UDR finds 11 incendiary devices in Downpatrick. A follow-up operation to seal off the town over the next five days leads to the arrest of ten teenage members of "Fianna Eireann".
Read more about this topic: Timeline Of Ulster Defence Regiment Operations