A deployment of almost 200 airmen from RAF Leuchars to Afghanistan earlier this week merely reinforces the significance of the Fife air base, according to local campaigners.
The airmen left Fife on Tuesday as part of a 300-strong group from 6 Force Protection Wing, which will spend the next six months defending Camp Bastion, with a sub-unit of the wing, 58 Squadron RAF Regiment, making up the majority of the Leuchars contingent.
The 58 Squadron will work alongside RAF Police and the US Marine Corps in Afghanistan, protecting the base in Helmand Province.
While the gunners will no doubt be settling in to their hard work, members of the Residents Action Force who are spearheading efforts to retain RAF Leuchars reckon the deployment simply strengthens their case to save Leuchars as an RAF base amid continuing fears the government may close it.
Chairman Fraser Phillips said the involvement of Leuchars’ military personnel in Afghanistan underlined the importance of the Fife facility.
“They will be out for six months and it cannot be made easier by the question marks over their base’s future,” he said.
“The strategic importance of Leuchars to the defence of the UK and UK assets overseas is unarguable and this serves to further emphasise it.”
Mr Phillips added, “This will be a very worrying time for the family and friends who are left at home.
“However, it is recognised that the local community and the base personnel are very much aware of these concerns and will do all that they can to minimise their effects.”