OPERATION BANNER - THE TROUBLES - THE DIRTY WAR Operation Banner was the operational name for the British Armed Forces' operation in Northern Ireland from August 1969 to July 2007, as part of the Troubles. It was one of the longest continuous deployments in British military history.British Armed Forces losses.814 from the regular British Army; 477 of whom were killed by paramilitaries, and 337 of whom died from other causes.548 from the Ulster Defence Regiment/Royal Irish Regiment; 204 of whom w