Today marked a special day in the life of our local RAF (Royal Air Force) base. For the past 24 years the base has been home to squadrons of Tornado GR4 fast jets. The last squadron of Tornados, XV (R) Sqn. had its final flypast today. XV(R) Sqn is being disbanded after 102 years and the aircraft are being relocated down to England.
Here's a shot of the final flypast, the weather was awful with dark, low cloud and persistent rain. However the guys flying these aircraft got their formation just perfect.
15 Sqn - Final Farewell to Lossiemouth by
Alan Butterfield, on Flickr
We already have their replacements stationed here, several squadrons of the newer, faster and noisier Typhoon Eurofighters.
The base is also soon to become home to a squadron of Boeing P8 Poseidon Maritime Patrol aircraft. Both Boeing and the UK government are investing heavily in this project.