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Leuchars fighters up and away (Feb, 2010)
26/Feb/2010
The fighter squadron at RAF Leuchars is to transfer to Lossiemouth as preparations are made for the arrival of the Typhoon aircraft. Work being conducted over the next couple of months means that the airfield will have to be closed and during March and April, 111 (Fighter) Squadron and support personnel will be based at RAF Lossiemouth as a “bolthole” detachment.
The squadron has responsibility for round-the-clock defence of northern airspace, known as quick reaction alert—QRA.
Its jets are ready to take-off with just 10 minutes notice to intercept enemy aircraft.
A station spokesman said, “The deployment to RAF Lossiemouth will sustain RAF Leuchars’ number one priority, the provision of northern QRA.
“Upon completion of the work at RAF Leuchars, 111 (F) Squadron will redeploy back to RAF Leuchars.”
Leuchars station is being made ready for its transition from Tornado F3 aircraft to the Typhoon. The first of three Typhoon squadrons will form in the autumn.
The spokesman said, “During the bolthole, RAF Leuchars transition to Typhoon will continue.”
However, he said he was unaware of a runway surface water problem which Armed Forces Minister Bill Rammell said was the reason for the redeployment.
In a letter to north-east Fife MP Sir Menzies Campbell, Mr Rammell advised that remedial runway restoration work was being conducted to deal with a surface water problem to ensure RAF Leuchars can sustain flying operations.
Only three years ago £24 million was spent on refurbishing the station’s main runway and taxiways.
source: courier.co.uk, Friday, February 26, 2010.
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