RAF to remain at Leuchars?

[ElJaffacakeo]

I read an article in the Sunday papers yesterday that outlined why Leuchars might be saved - generally it was to do with the Government backpedalling over the JSF STOVL decision and that there is now serious clout behind the campaign to keep the RAF at the base and the outlook is good.

I cannot find any more info on it, anyone heard or read anything?

[Trevster]

Got a link?

Interesting to hear as Lossie are now more confident that they will be getting the F-35 up there...

[ElJaffacakeo]

Ill come back to you on that -

Im trying to find it but the browsers in my work are so bloomin old I cant get on any websites!

[ElJaffacakeo]

Got a link?

Interesting to hear as Lossie are now more confident that they will be getting the F-35 up there...

Also, from what I remember it wasnt to do with the F-35 going to Leuchars, I think the current Squardrons were to remain. Ill confirm when I find it though

[stratocaster]

Ohhhhh,interesting,very interesting! From other postings it was unclear what was happening,but as I will remain open minded I'm still going along with the official line of which we were all informed.But please do keep us posted.

[Unknown74]

In an ideal World the RAF would base Typhoons at Leuchars and F-35Bs at Lossiemouth. Unfortunately we do not live in an ideal World and unfortunately I suspect that we will still see both Typhoons and F-35Bs all at Lossiemouth with Leuchars condemned to a future as an Army Barracks.

[ElJaffacakeo]

Well, needless to say I never found the article and have heard nothing of the sort since. I now think it was a load of crap and look like a tool!

That said, we have probably the most contrary government on the Planet so there is always hope!

[Beefy]

In an ideal World the RAF would base Typhoons at Leuchars and F-35Bs at Lossiemouth. Unfortunately we do not live in an ideal World and unfortunately I suspect that we will still see both Typhoons and F-35Bs all at Lossiemouth with Leuchars condemned to a future as an Army Barracks.

I don't think you'll be seeing any F-35's based at Lossiemouth if (and that's a big IF) recent reports in the local media (Norfolk) are to be believed - They will be based at Marham.

[Trevster]

This is what interests me:

He added: “It was announced that Typhoon is moving to Lossiemouth and, with the best will in the world, it would not be practical to have both fleets situated in one base.”

So if the Typhoon 'fleet' is to be based at Lossiemouth, does that mean they're moving from Coningsby or is it the usual "politician opens gob before thinking" situation? I'd say the latter but it's still a strange choice of words...

[Unknown74]

I once heard and it was just before the SDSR I think that they were even thinking of having Coningsby as the only Typhoon MOB and having Jets up to either base for Northern QRA on a deployment or rotational basis.

[scotthldr]

Suppose at the end of the day it all comes down to how many F-35's "if any" that the UK decide to purchase. If the recent numbers of around 45 are to be believed would they really keep a separate base open for that few or would they double up with another type at an existing Typhoon base which at the moment would be Coningsby or Lossie. Is there to be any more Typhoon units standing up after 1 Sqn and if so where are they going?

There is a long list of possibilities out there as to the basing of aircraft and I don't think anyone knows what's happening next year let alone 5-10 years away.

From reports of past wasn't Marham ruled out from the outset due to the noise concerns of the F-35B, seems strange how all of a sudden it gets mentioned again?

[f4phixeruk]

Wonder how much 'El Presidente Alex', has had to do with the re-think

[Beefy]

From reports of past wasn't Marham ruled out from the outset due to the noise concerns of the F-35B, seems strange how all of a sudden it gets mentioned again?

Don't really see why noise concerns would be an issue at Marham, I don't think that fields of sugar-beat are too overly concerned by noise pollution. Yes, Swaffham is the closet "Town/village" (it's not very big - no bigger than Lossiemouth!), so why the problem of noise?????

[ElJaffacakeo]

From reports of past wasn't Marham ruled out from the outset due to the noise concerns of the F-35B, seems strange how all of a sudden it gets mentioned again?

Don't really see why noise concerns would be an issue at Marham, I don't think that fields of sugar-beat are too overly concerned by noise pollution. Yes, Swaffham is the closet "Town/village" (it's not very big - no bigger than Lossiemouth!), so why the problem of noise?????

I have never understood these people who move next to airfields/airports then moan about the noise. There is a solution to their problem...l

[ArabJazzie]

Is there to be any more Typhoon units standing up after 1 Sqn and if so where are they going?

There is a long list of possibilities out there as to the basing of aircraft and I don't think anyone knows what's happening next year let alone 5-10 years away.

From reports of past wasn't Marham ruled out from the outset due to the noise concerns of the F-35B, seems strange how all of a sudden it gets mentioned again?

Ive heard rumour of sqn no.3 will form at Leuchars and one of the established units will move oop north and quickly work towards being fully operational at Lossie. I have my doubts but need to do a wee bit research to confirm those doubts.

Too much scaremongering to do with the referendum but there are London already appear to be preparing for defeat!

Marham was ruled out due to noise issues to do with the F-35B being a bit noisy! With the change to the C, i understand this added a few other bases to the list. However, with this governments indecision being final, you just never know! For another reason, please see above!
Arabest,
Geoff.
PS, Is that 2 KC-10s in the static! And a Pembroke!!! And TAYSIDE AV.......Wait! I see them every day!

[Finningley Boy]

Ok, here's the inside track;

Tiffies to remain at Leuchars, F35s to be based at Marham and Lossiemouth to become Diversity training and testing centre!

FB

[ArabJazzie]

Ok, here's the inside track;

Tiffies to remain at Leuchars, F35s to be based at Marham and Lossiemouth to become Diversity training and testing centre!

FB

You on the wind up again FB? Where have you been?
Arabest,
Geoff.

[Finningley Boy]

Hi Geoff old plum!

I've been feeling a bit despondent with it all and have now lost my sense of no nonsense. So my comments from here on may be more along the lines of the above rather than the carefully thought out pragmatic style of previous posts.
FB

[stratocaster]

I'll stick with the official line for the time being!

[f4phixeruk]

Ok, here's the inside track;

Tiffies to remain at Leuchars, F35s to be based at Marham and Lossiemouth to become Diversity training and testing centre!

FB

Many a true word said in jest

[foxfour]

I wouldn't describe this as anything other than rumour so if you don't like that word look away now.

Typhoons to remain at Leuchars. All the remaining Tornados after the next cull will be based at Lossie until their eventual end of service. Marham will have extensive work done on its infrastructure to accommodate the F-35s when they eventually arrive necessitating the closure of the base while the work is done and the re-location of the remaining Tornados to Lossie.

Should this be anything like the truth I would expect some kind of announcement well before the next SDSR in 2015.

[stratocaster]

Oh dear,that's got me all confused now!

[Craig]

I wouldn't describe this as anything other than rumour so if you don't like that word look away now.

Typhoons to remain at Leuchars. All the remaining Tornados after the next cull will be based at Lossie until their eventual end of service. Marham will have extensive work done on its infrastructure to accommodate the F-35s when they eventually arrive necessitating the closure of the base while the work is done and the re-location of the remaining Tornados to Lossie.

Should this be anything like the truth I would expect some kind of announcement well before the next SDSR in 2015.

If that is the case though Tornado will be going sooner rather than later as the main mainainence work is done at Marham...

[stratocaster]

Hmmm,Branks (F-35's) to be based at Marham and Lossie eventually,and just where would Tarries (Taranis) be based then? Glad to see the Phoons at least have a place or 2!

[foxfour]

If that is the case though Tornado will be going sooner rather than later as the main mainainence work is done at Marham...

I doubt if that would be a show stopper considering it used to be done at Lossie!
I wouldn't however be surprised if this government decided to scrap Tornado sooner rather than later as you say despite the end of service date recently being reported as March 2019.