Decades of aviation history came to a close at RAF Leuchars with the departure of the final fast jets ahead of the base’s closure.
All jets attached to Leuchars-based 1 (Fighter) Squadron have been relocated to RAF Lossiemouth. The squadron’s relocation is due to be completed by the end of the month.
There was no formal flypast at Leuchars but a ceremony took place when the aircraft arrived at their new home at RAF Lossiemouth in Moray.
Watched by a small number of enthusiasts who had set up cameras in a field near the end of the runway, four Typhoons took off from Leuchars at 10.30am followed by another four around 11am.
The final two aircraft then took off individually. One took off and did a vertical climb straight into the clouds.
RAF Leuchars would not confirm the pilots. But the second aircraft understood to have been flown by RAF Leuchars Station Commander and Air Officer Scotland, Air Commodore Gerry Mayhew then took off very low and waggled the aircraft’s wings as it did so.
The aircraft then did a circuit over Guardbridge and headed towards the sea before returning and shooting straight up its afterburners roaring as it disappeared into the clouds. And with that, the era of permanently stationed fast jets at Leuchars came to an end.
The departure of 1 (Fighter) Squadron follows that of 6 Squadron in mid-June.
An RAF Leuchars spokesman said: “The bulk of the aircraft have now left Leuchars. There might be a couple of spares to follow but the aircraft have now gone.”
Typhoon aircraft of 1 (Fighter) Squadron will now provide quick reaction alert (QRA) cover alongside the Typhoons of 6 Squadron for the north of the UK from RAF Lossiemouth.
Quick reaction alert for the south will be based at RAF Coningsby.
As for the future of RAF Leuchars, it will now focus on becoming home to army units the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, 2 Close Support Battalion of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, and 110 Provost Company of the Royal Military Police in 2015.
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