Retiring RAF Tornados set for a farewell flypast over Wales
THE RAF’s Tornado jets will be retired from service by the end of March, and people in Wales will be given a final opportunity to see the famous planes take to the skies.
The fleet, based at RAF Marham in Norfolk, will make a series of flights to give people across Britain a chance to say farewell on February 19, 20 and 21.
Having first entered service in 1979, the jets have been used in operations across the world, most recently bombarding terrorist group IS in Syria and Iraq.
They will start their tour of Britain on February 19 at Cottesmore and finish on February 21 at RAF Lossiemouth. They will be passing three locations in Wales on February 20.
After visiting RAF Honington, IWM Duxford, former RAE Bedford, Cranfield airfield, RAF Halton, RAF High Wycombe, RAF Benson, HQ Land Forces and MOD Boscombe Down, they will then head to RAF Pembrey, MOD St Athan and Cardiff Airport. They will then continue their journey along Filton, Abbey Wood, MOD Shrivenham and RAF Brize Norton.
Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier, chief of the air staff, said: “I will personally be very sad to see the Tornado retire, but it is time now to pass the baton to our next-generation combat aircraft.
The F-35B Lightning is now operational and the Typhoon is now fully multi-role capable and able to take on the Tornado’s missions.
Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said: “It is with a heavy heart but enormous pride that we bid farewell to the Tornado from operations. This truly is the end of an era, having played a vital role in keeping Britain and its allies safe for four decades.
“But, after so long in service, it is only right that we now look to the future. The combination of our state-of-the art F35s and the Typhoon’s new weapon systems will keep us as a world leader in air combat for a generation.”