A record breaking former RAF Leuchars fighter pilot who flew combat missions in both Gulf wars has expressed confidence that civilian casualties will be avoided as British air strikes are launched over Syria.
In an exclusive interview, Flight Lieutenant Roy Macintyre, 57, told The Courier that the Paveway bombs being used by the RAF were laser guided precision weapons “capable of being directed through an office window.”
He said the weapons were not as accurate as the Brimstone laser guided missiles also being deployed by the RAF.
But he added: “I do get annoyed when I hear on the news that the Paveway is not a precision weapon. We are not talking about carpet bombing like in World War Two here. These are precise, intelligence led, operations, and whilst there is a risk to civilians, the risk is minimal. I saw what these weapons could do in the Gulf, and they are lethal.”
Stirling-born Flight Lieutenant Macintyre, who lives in Cupar, holds the RAF record for the highest number of pilot hours (4600) flown in the Tornado F3.
Having retired from the RAF two years ago, he is now an instructor with the Leuchars-based East of Scotland University Air Squadron, flying Tutors.
Joining the RAF in 1982, he initially qualified on the Phantom F4 while serving on 43 (F) Squadron at RAF Leuchars and in 1988, Flt Lt MacIntyre moved to RAF Leeming and converted to the Tornado F3.
Following a number of tours south of the Border and qualifying as a weapons instructor, the father-of-two returned to 43 (F) Squadron at RAF Leuchars and then 111 (F) Squadron.
His primary role was flying QRA (Quick Reaction Alert) sorties from Leuchars. But he also became involved in Desert Shield air defence sorties ahead of the invasion of Kuwait in 1990/91 and then flew missions enforcing the no-fly zone along the Saudi Arabia/Iraq border in 2003.
He said: “With the second Gulf War we were kind of up to speed on what was going to happen. But the first Gulf War was much more traumatic as it caught us all unawares.
“Leuchars was on rotation on exercise when it came up, and to be honest, we were quite glad to be involved not because we are war mongerers but because if it was going to happen, we wanted to be there. That is what we were trained for.”
Fl Lt Macintyre said he believed MPs had made the right decision to bomb so-called IS targets in Syria because the threat to Britain from terrorists was “clearly there”. The role of RAF Lossiemouth Typhoons would be defend Tornado GR4 bombers.
His thoughts would be with the RAF Lossiemouth and other crews now engaged in operations, and said it could be hard for the families left behind, as it was for his wife Philippa when he was in the Gulg. But once on operation, he said the entire RAF felt as if they were “in it together”.
“There will be a bit of anxiety amongst the Lossiemouth crews,”he said: “depending on their knowledge of what is going on out there. There will be intelligence briefings. Those that are going will feel thankful that they are getting the chance to do it from a professional point of view. Others will be thinking that maybe there chance will come.
“But I don’t have concerns. I do believe it was the right decision. I agree airstrikes will not be decisive in their own right but as part of a wider strategy they will make a valuable contribution.”
He agreed it was “most strange” that the RAF could now be flying sorties alongside their QRA foes, the Russians.
But he added: “At the end of the day if you join the armed forces and sign up to take the Queen’s Shilling, you will do what you are told to do.
“By our nature, we have faith in the leadership.”