The Rt Hon Michael Fallon MP, UK Secretary of State for Defence
The Typhoon aircraft of Number 1(Fighter) Squadron have marked their relocation from RAF Leuchars to RAF Lossiemouth with a special 8-ship formation in the shape of a number 1.
From today, 1(F) Sqn and 6 Squadron will provide Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) cover for the North of the UK, alongside QRA South, based at RAF Coningsby.
Air Officer Scotland, and Station Commander RAF Leuchars, Air Commodore Gerry Mayhew, said: “As the Typhoon aircraft and personnel of 1(F) Squadron begin their timely relocation to RAF Lossiemouth, it is fitting for us to pause and celebrate over 100 years of outstanding military aviation history at RAF Leuchars. From its humble beginnings as a balloon Station, Leuchars grew throughout the Second World War and beyond to become one of the United Kingdom’s foremost air defence stations. It’s exemplary record as the home of northern QRA stands as a testament to the professionalism and dedication of our people. Throughout the RAF’s time at Leuchars, our people – both Service and civilian - and their families have received outstanding support from the local community.”
Station Commander RAF Lossiemouth, Group Captain Mark Chappell said: “This week marks the beginning of a new era for RAF Lossiemouth as the Station assumes responsibility for providing the northern element of Quick Reaction Alert. Personnel from both RAF Leuchars and RAF Lossiemouth have spent many months preparing the Station for its new role. The Station is ready to provide the service to the United Kingdom that the Royal Air Force was primarily created for – that is, control of the air and protection of our airspace.”
The Officer Commanding 1(F), Wing Commander Mark Flewin, said of his Squadron’s future: “The relocation of an entire fast-jet squadron is a phenomenal achievement and it is testament to the commitment, flexibility and capability of all personnel involved that it was carried out so successfully. 1(F) Squadron is delighted to have arrived at RAF Lossiemouth and now looks forward to continuing its Quick Reaction Alert duties alongside 6 Squadron. ”
RAF Leuchars will now focus on becoming home to the Army, next year. From 2015, the following units will be based there:
Royal Scots Dragoon Guards;
2 Close Support Battalion of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers; and
110 Provost Company of the Royal Military Police
Brigadier Paul Harkness MBE, Commander 51st Infantry Brigade and Headquarters Scotland, said of the Army’s move to Leuchars:
“We are delighted to have such a good location for three of our units relocating from Germany. We have established strong links with Fife Council and we are extremely pleased to have the opportunity to be part of the local community and look forward to maintaining the good relationship which the RAF has enjoyed.”
NATO EXERCISE CULMINATES IN DARING HELICOPTER ASSAULTS
In another development, eighty British troops have combined forces with other NATO allies to take part in a daring night assault with US Black Hawk helicopters in an operation to destroy a simulated enemy radar site during Exercise SABRE JUNCTION.
The troops from the 1st Battalion The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment carried out the assault in tandem with other attacks last night against simulated enemy airfields across several East European countries. The troops landed in US Chinooks and Black Hawk helicopters.
Exercise SABRE JUNCTION is part of a wider NATO exercise and one of a host of Immediate Assurance Measures designed to reassure NATO allies in the region. It follows UK deployment of Typhoon aircraft to the Baltic Air Policing Mission. More than 1300 troops from the Lead Armoured Battle Group will deploy to Poland for Exercise Black Eagle in October.
Major Dave Jones, the Officer Commanding the Duke of Lancaster’s troops on the exercise, said: “This helicopter borne night attack is the culmination of a terrific exercise in which we have learnt to operate intimately with US infantry and air cavalry. My soldiers have risen to the challenge of operating in a multi-national environment and it’s exciting to be involved in an exercise that is designed not only to improve our operating capability but reassure our NATO allies.”
Defence Minister, Julian Brazier, visited the British, US and Polish solidiers at Miraslavec airbase on Tuesday and said: “On meeting British and American troops taking part in Exercise SABRE JUNCTION, I was struck by how seamlessly allies and partners can work together at little notice, to form one formidable force.
“I was also particularly impressed with the opportunities an Alliance such as NATO can bring, with the exercise highlighting to me how knowledge, equipment and capability can be successfully shared between multiple stakeholders in a timely fashion, to the benefit of all.”
The annual exercise is held across Germany, Latvia and Poland and this year includes around 5,000 personnel from the US, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovenia and NATO Partnership for Peace nations Bosnia & Herzegovinia, Serbia and Sweden.