Top Air Officer Visits Scottish RAF Stations
Britain’s
most senior Royal Air Force officer has paid tribute to the role of
Scottish-based airmen and women in defending the UK and its interests
abroad.
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen
Dalton, made his comments during visits to two key stations north of the
border – RAF Lossiemouth in Moray and RAF Leuchars in Fife –where he
met veterans of the conflict in Afghanistan and some of the aircrew and
support personnel who guard the UK’s airspace round-the-clock every day
of the year.
Air Chief Marshal Dalton said:
“I
have greatly enjoyed my visits to both Royal Air Force Lossiemouth and
Royal Air Force Leuchars and have been genuinely humbled by the selfless
dedication and commitment of our people, both Royal Air Force and
civilian, some of whom have recently been honoured for their bravery and
outstanding operational service in Afghanistan.
“As the
Secretary of State confirmed in March, as part of modernising the United
Kingdom’s Defence Forces our frontline Quick Reaction Alert Typhoon
squadrons - which provide vital air defence and airspace assurance of
the United Kingdom - will move to RAF Lossiemouth to be joined by
another new squadron in due course, and RAF Leuchars is to be
transformed into a camp for UK troops and their families. I am proud of
our personnel at both these stations and of the contribution that they
have made and will continue to make on operations and to the security of
British interests at home and abroad.”
While at RAF Lossiemouth
Sir Stephen met personnel who have recently returned from Operation
Herrick including members of 12 (B) Tornado GR4 squadron which recently
completed its second tour of duty in south Afghanistan, serving at
Kandahar Airfield, earlier this year.
The
Squadron is currently in preparations to deploy to Afghanistan later
this year and recently returned from Exercise Red Flag in the Nevada
desert where it honed its advanced war-fighting skills with Coalition
allies from the American and Australian Air Forces.
RAF
Lossiemouth is also home to 617 “Dambusters” Squadron which this year
marks 70 years since its formation and is also preparing to deploy to
Afghanistan to relieve 12 (B) Squadron.
Sir Stephen also met RAF
Regiment gunners from 51 Squadron two of whom - Sergeant Roy Geddes MC
and Corporal Kurt Lee – were recently awarded military honours for their
bravery in defending Camp Bastion from an attack by 15 armed insurgents
in September last year.
On the second day of his
tour Sir Stephen moved on to RAF Leuchars where 6 Squadron has recently
been putting its state-of-the-art multi-role Typhoon jets through their
paces in a ground attack role by carrying out training sorties dropping
inert weapons off the Scottish coast.
Other
Typhoon aircraft at the station carry out its primary role by operating
the jet in its fighter role as part of Quick Reaction Alert - providing
crews and aircraft at high states of readiness 24 hours a day, 365 days
a year, to police UK airspace and to intercept unidentified aircraft.
RAF
Leuchars Typhoons have also been participating in Exercise Joint
Warrior, the largest international tactical exercise held in Europe,
practicing missions ranging from Close Air Support, which means
protecting troops on the ground, right through to Defensive Counter Air
operations where the jets defend airspace and points of interest such as
naval assets.
Air Officer Scotland and RAF Leuchars Station Commander, Air Commodore Gerry Mayhew said:
“The
visit allowed the Chief of the Air Staff to speak to the
highly-trained, quality personnel who sustain the operational outputs at
RAF Leuchars every day of the year. ACM Dalton has also been able to
witness the excellent work that they we are doing in support of the
growth of the Typhoon Force and RAF transition in Scotland.”
At the end of his tour of Scottish RAF stations Air Chief Marshal Dalton said:
“As
it has been proved many times in the past, the RAF is agile, adaptable
and capable. This is especially true of the Royal Air Force’s fast jet
fleet which will soon see the Lightning II join the now battle proven
Typhoon and the sterling Tornado GR4. This highly capable fast-jet force
will enable the Royal Air Force to continue to fulfil its paramount
duty, the control of the air over the whole of the UK and, when
necessary, defend and promote our interests overseas in this uncertain
world.”
Editor: Simon Mander
Photographer: Cpl Dave Blackburn RAF
Images:
Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton talks to Station personnel
Wing Commander Mike Baulkwill and Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton
Air
Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton is to visit RAF Lossiemouth,
accompanied by Lady Dalton. The purpose of the visit is to apprise CAS
of developments and achievements at RAF Lossiemouth, and update him on
the stations mission, tasks and priorities.
Wing Commander Mike
Baulkwill (left) Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton (centre) and Air
Commodore Gerry Mayhew (right) pose for a photo to promote the upcoming
Armed Forces Day on the 29th June 2013
RAF/MOD Crown Copyright 2013
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