Typhoons returning to Fife next week

With critical resurfacing work taking place at the RAF base, the Quick Reaction Alert Typhoons, which are ready to respond to any threats every minute of every day, are being moved back to Fife.

The temporary move will begin from August 10.

To enable the swift return of Quick Reaction Alert 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 the 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, the Poseidon MRA Mk. 1. Two of these P-8A aircraft have already begun operating over the seas around the UK, identifying and tracking potentially hostile submarines.

They are currently based at Kinloss Barracks but will be moving to their permanent home at RAF Lossiemouth later this year.

In total, £132 million has been invested in a purpose-built strategic facility, which can house three Poseidon aircraft for maintenance. When not on operations, the remainder of the fleet along with any visitors will be parked on the new hardstanding outside.

The facility will be home to CXX and 201 Squadrons, Poseidon Line Squadron who will perform the maintenance on the platform, and the Tactical Operations Centre who will provide mission support behind the scenes.