The site formerly known as
RAF Ballykelly was handed over to the
British Army as Shackleton Barracks on 2 June 1971. Battalion HQ and HQ Company of the
5th Battalion, Ulster Defence Regiment arrived there shortly after the barracks opened. During
Operation Demetrius between 1971 and 1972, the facilities operated as an interrogation centre where the
five techniques were alleged to have been used. The village of Ballykelly suffered the
Droppin Well bombing in 1982 which resulted in the loss of eighteen lives including both local civilians and soldiers from Shackleton Barracks. 5th Battalion, Ulster Defence Regiment moved out in 1992. when 2nd Battalion, Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment moved to
Royal Artillery Barracks at
Woolwich. Some of land and 420 buildings were subsequently offered for sale. ==References==