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QRA Typhoons to leave RAF Lossiemouth in Moray and operate instead from Leuchars in Fife for the moment


By Alistair Whitfield

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The Quick Reaction Alert force is temporarily moving out of Moray while resurfacing work continues on RAF Lossiemouth's runways.

A Typhoon FGR4 scrambles from RAF Lossiemouth to intercept an unresponsive aircraft.
A Typhoon FGR4 scrambles from RAF Lossiemouth to intercept an unresponsive aircraft.

For the moment the QRA will instead operate out of Leuchars Station in Fife.

Typhoon training will also temporarily be moved to Kinloss Barracks from Monday, August 10.

RAF Lossiemouth's runways are being resurfaced to allow the brand-new fleet of Poseidon P-8A submarine-hunting aircraft to operate from the Moray base later this year.

A spokesman said: "The RAF has Quick Reaction Alert Typhoons on standby every minute of every day ready to respond to any airborne threats.

"It is critical to the defence of the nation that this capability is maintained during these essential works.

"To enable the swift return of QRA and Typhoon training to RAF Lossiemouth, construction work will occur in a 24/7 operation from Monday, August 17.

"This is a complex project involving a specialist workforce, but factors such as the weather will have an impact on how long this enhanced working pattern will run for.

"As soon as the intersection of our runways has been resurfaced, the airfield at RAF Lossiemouth will re-open.

"These upgrades will enable the Moray base to handle larger aircraft including the RAF’s brand-new submarine hunter."

RAF Lossiemouth’s primary role since September 2014 has been the provision of QRA.

The RAF states the base's strategically important position on the northern Scottish coastline makes it an ideal location to maintain aircraft and crews on high alert in order to scramble and intercept unidentified aircraft approaching UK airspace.

A total of £132million has been invested at RAF Lossiemouth which, in addition to four Typhoon squadrons, will be home to CXX and 201 Squadrons as well as the Poseidon aircraft.

Related story: £100 million Poseidon facility at RAF Lossiemouth handed over to Ministry of Defence

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