The Tornado F3 fighters of 111(F) Squadron based at RAF Leuchars have provided air defence cover from the Faroe Islands to the Falkland Islands by patrolling UK and NATO Air Policing Area One and by providing aircraft and manpower for 1435 Flight at Mount Pleasant Airfield.

Now in its twilight years, armed F3s and their crews nonetheless maintained a quick reaction alert capability 24-hours-a-day, 365-days-a-year to counter any airborne threat in two areas on opposite ends of the globe.

In order to fulfil the RAF's important and enduring duty – the defence of the UK and control of the air surrounding the Falkland Islands — the F3s remit was to take off or 'scramble' within a few minutes to intercept any aircraft that enters the airspace without proper authorisation.

The aircraft were supported by a team of military personnel that operate a network of air defence radars and provide air surveillance information as well as the command and control of any scrambled fighters.

The four Tornado F3s have now been replaced by the Typhoon, the RAF's latest multi-role combat aircraft, on a one-for-one basis.

The deployed Tornado F3s will now be dismantled in the Falkland Islands before being flown back to the UK where they will be 'recycled,' and used as spare parts for the Tornado GR4 aircraft currently operating in support of NATO forces in Afghanistan.

Meanwhile, 111(Fighter) Squadron based at RAF Leuchars will continue to support UK operations and the Tornado F3 Force will finally stand down in 2011.