Scotland Left With Single RAF Base After Liam Fox Announces Cuts

Scottish Raf

First Posted: 19/07/11 07:14 BST Updated: 17/09/11 11:12 BST

PRESS ASSOCIATION -- Scotland is to be left with one RAF base after the Defence Secretary announced that RAF Leuchars is to become an Army base.

The Fife airbase will become the home of one of five UK multi-role brigades, and its fleet of Typhoons will move to RAF Lossiemouth, Liam Fox told the Commons.

RAF Kinloss will also become an Army base, it was announced.

The new brigade will see around 5,000 military personnel move to Scotland.

The increased Army presence at Kinloss and Leuchars will more than double the size of current Army numbers in Scotland.

Typhoon squadrons will replace Tornados at RAF Lossiemouth and around 2,000 RAF and civilian staff will be based there.

The security of the nation and defence requirements were "paramount" in the decision, according to Dr Fox said, but he said he had also taken into account the impact of base closures on local communities and serving personnel and their families.

The overhaul of air bases is part of a wider review of MoD operations.

Dr Fox said overall, Scotland's "defence footprint" would increase by around 2,000 posts.

The Defence Secretary also announced a development of a site at Kirknewton, near Edinburgh, into a facility for Army units returning from Germany.

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PRESS ASSOCIATION -- Scotland is to be left with one RAF base after the Defence Secretary announced that RAF Leuchars is to become an Army base. The Fife airbase will become the home of one of five...
PRESS ASSOCIATION -- Scotland is to be left with one RAF base after the Defence Secretary announced that RAF Leuchars is to become an Army base. The Fife airbase will become the home of one of five...
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08:20 PM on 07/19/2011
Doe's Scotland have enemies? Who is it that is going to attack them?
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Marchmont
09:47 AM on 07/19/2011
One of the greatest problems with the UK education system is its “all shall have prizes” delusion because learning to cope with defeat is a critical part of being a grown-up. RAF Leuchars has been lost after nearly a century and many local people, led by MP Ming Campbell, feel disappointed and angry and are full of doubts about what lies ahead. But it is over and they must pick ourselves up, turn their faces to the future, stay loose, flexible and alive to opportunities remembering that, “as one door closes, another opens.” There is a possibility of commercial flights and/or a big army base and they should show that they are up for any new development and incomers are more than welcome. Far from being unsuitable, it is a fabulous area for young army families with superb schools, great shopping, a mainline station and St Andrews as the ultimate garrison town.
09:19 AM on 07/19/2011
After they get their "freedom" they can always ask Mel Gibson to provide their defense.