The minister charged with the grim task of visiting Leuchars on the day it was confirmed that the RAF is to be removed from the base has urged the community to embrace the base’s new identity as an army garrison.
Gerald Howarth, the minister for international security strategy, said, “I do not underestimate how difficult this has been but I appeal to people here in Leuchars to transfer their loyalty to the incoming units, and I’m sure they will.”
Mr Howarth spoke to the media at an arranged photocall after the shock announcement was made to personnel.
The Courier understands servicemen and women had been in the dark about the future of RAF Leuchars until the announcement was made by Defence Secretary Liam Fox in the House of Commons.
According to a source, despite the disappointing outcome there was a sense of relief among personnel that months of uncertainty had come to an end.
By 2013, Leuchars-based Typhoons that provide quick reaction alert (QRA) response against unidentified aircraft in UK airspace will have moved to RAF Lossiemouth and the base is set to become an army barracks in 2015.
It will mark the end of a 100-year-old association between the RAF and Leuchars.
“I’d like to pay tribute to those communities who over decades, and indeed in Leuchars over the past century, have supported the military in their midst,” said Mr Howarth.
In the hard-fought campaign against the decision to take the RAF out of Leuchars, there were stark warnings about how it would affect the local community. In the region of 1200 personnel are set to be redeployed and it is understood around 200 civilian staff will lose their jobs.
There have been fears of a “fallow” period, when the base would be virtually empty, before the army moves in.
The minister said, “The detail will follow but the idea that we would leave bases fallow is nonsense. We have every interest in ensuring the process of transition is as seamless as possible.
“I do want to emphasise that the result of all this will be that the military footprint in Scotland will be very much increased. One of three main naval bases, one of five multi-role brigades and a third of RAF fast jet stations will be based in Scotland.”
Mr Howarth also pledged to make efforts to save Leuchars Air Show.
He said, “What I will do is have a discussion to see whether there is a way in which this could be continued. I’d need to talk to the people who organise it and would need to talk to the air force. There might not be a way, but I will do my level best and will not ignore it.”