The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Tornado swing wings to disappear from sky
RAF: Lossiemouth fighter jets touch down for final time
The next chapter of RAF Lossiemouth’s booming future is ready to begin as Tornados touched down for the final time yesterday.
The fighter jets have been a fixture in Moray skies for more than two decades since moving to the region in 1993.
But with the planes being mothballed in two years, XV ( Reser ve ) Squadron is being disbanded after a century of service to make way for new advanced technology.
A fourth fleet of Typhoons is scheduled to arrive in place of the Tornados with the first of the P-8 Poseidon marine patrol aircraft due to move up in 2019, bringing 400 extra personnel with them.
Yesterday, Group Captain Paul Godfrey admitted there were “mixed emotions” watching the Tornados park up after an emotional fly-past and a spectacular simulated airfield attack.
The station commander shook hands with each of the final five flight crews after they made their way down the steps carrying their helmets.
He said: “I was outside the other day and saw a Tornado in the circuit, the swing wings are really distinctive.
“Itwas really sad toknow we’re not going to see them again here, but with the Poseidons and extra Typhoon squadron the capability here is on the up. It’s brilliant for RAF Lossiemouth.
“It’s an awful lot of work to get ready for the new squadrons but it’s the sort of work thatwe want to do, getting the base ready for more people to move to the area, it’s a win- win all round for everyone.”
The Tornados from XV (Reserve) Squadron took off from Lossiemouth yesterdaymorning to perform a farewell tour over bases at Leuchars, Tain and Aberdeen.
The jets then soared in formation down the length of the runway before splitting off into smaller attack run drills.
Families and friends The final flight of Tornados from RAF Lossiemouth was particularly poignant for one pilot.
Yesterday’s sortie was the last time Flight Lieutenant Bill Read will take to the air with the RAF after nearly 38 years of service.
The Top Gun will retire from the air force just days after a parade at the base at the end of the month to mark the disbandment of the XV (Reserve) Squadron.
Flt Lt Read is one of were waiting on the apron at the air base after they landed for the last time.
Pilots and weapons service officers saluted children, many wearing flight suits, from the cockpit who were waving at the Top Gun crews.
Dozens of aviation enthusiasts eager to catch a glimpse of the distinctive jets lined the fences around the base.
The squadron will be disbanded following a parade at the base at the end of the month before the planes are flown to RAF Marham in Norfolk. The last Tornado will be withdrawn from RAF service in 2019. the most experienced hands at the controls of a Tornado having flown them since 1987.
And standing on the apron looking at the planes yesterday, the pilot admitted it would take a few days for it to “sink in” that he would never fly one again.
He said: “When I go home after flying I still have that adrenaline rush going through me hours later.
“Flying these things has been normal for me for a long time, it’s as normal as going to the shops.”
“It’s really sad to know we’re not going to see them again”
Officer commanding XV Squadron, Wing Commander Paul Froome, said the flight crews under his command were some of the most experienced in the RAF.
The 10flight crewshavea combined total of 38,500 flying hours, amounting to more than four years continuously in the air.
Wg Cdr Froome said: “I’ve obviously known this day was coming for about two years – we’ve been building up to it.
“It’s been an emotional and sad day for me as commander of the squadron but I’m amazingly proud of the team that has been behind me.”