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RAF Leuchars - It's All Over

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RAF Leuchars - It's All Over

Old 9th Sep 2014, 20:16
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RAF Leuchars - It's All Over

Am I correct in thinking that the last ac departed Leuchars this week. All happened a bit quietly, I was hoping for at least a fly past over the local area as a good bye. Oh well, another bit of history gone - it's sad it was such a great place.

Tom
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Old 9th Sep 2014, 20:20
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Makes one feel old now. As a sprog being towed around by Pa on postings I can recall Ouston(gone), Usworth(gone), Acklington(gone), Leuchars(gone), North Weald(gone), Gaydon(gone).
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Old 9th Sep 2014, 20:25
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I served, or trained at: South Cerney, Syerston, Tern Hill, Odiham, Khormaksar, Sharjah, Thorney Island and Lyneham. With the exception of Odiham (still open?), all gone.
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Old 9th Sep 2014, 20:40
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Originally Posted by Herod
I served, or trained at: South Cerney, Syerston, Tern Hill, Odiham, Khormaksar, Sharjah, Thorney Island and Lyneham. With the exception of Odiham (still open?), all gone.
At least two in that list I hadn't even heard of Herod, Khormaksar and Sharjah, both long gone before I joined. Guess it has always been changing.

Tom

Edited RedhillPhill, lol only recognised Leuchars on your list!
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Old 9th Sep 2014, 20:40
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Many personal milestones at Leuchars. Sad to see it go.


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Old 9th Sep 2014, 20:49
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With the exception of Khormaskar and Sharjah, and including Leuchars, they are all still in the MOD estate, and have ongoing defence uses.
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Old 9th Sep 2014, 20:53
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Herod, yes, Odiham is still open. It's my 'local' RAF station.
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Old 9th Sep 2014, 21:08
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As a scopie, I went to RAF Innsworth, [now Army] Bawdsey Buchan Kuching Neatishead [burned down] and Patrington, with a detatchment to Staxton Wold, we also worked with Lindholm. Btw It wasn't the real Bawdsey Manor in "Castles in the Sky"
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Old 9th Sep 2014, 21:25
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Its my nearest or rather was my nearest station. This passed me by too though.


Given that the army is moving in, was there never the intention of keeping the airfield open for trooping/supply flights at least?


Oh silly me letting common sense encroach
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Old 9th Sep 2014, 21:48
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The airfield is keeping open for UAS & Q diversion apparently.
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Old 9th Sep 2014, 21:51
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I believe they're keeping the runway open for the UAS/AEF and for QRA when needed as a weather diversion with a cable? All that will be RAF run and then the rest goes to the Army?

Don't know the full ins and outs but that is the rumour I've heard...It'll be great as a weather diversion with a set of golf clubs!

LJ

PS. beat me to it by 3 minutes Collie - must type faster!!!
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Old 9th Sep 2014, 22:33
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So was there a fly past, final salute over NE Fife?

Tom
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Old 9th Sep 2014, 23:47
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There was a 1 Squadron flypast, and on the last day a fast pass and climb out.

That was it
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Old 10th Sep 2014, 06:37
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VIDEO: End of era as fast jets leave RAF Leuchars - Fife / Local / News / The Courier

Photo gallery: Final fast jets leave RAF Leuchars for last time - Fife / Local / News / The Courier
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Old 10th Sep 2014, 08:56
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There was a 1 Squadron flypast, and on the last day a fast pass and climb out.

That was it
I guess the MoD felt that now was probably not the time to be drawing attention to the 'closing' of bases in Scotland.
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Old 10th Sep 2014, 10:12
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I once travelled down from Cranwell back to Brize with a fellow RAF chum. Instead of ISpy, we recalled the number of operational RAF stations closed since we joined. When we got to 50 (yes really) we gave up and placed ISpy
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Old 10th Sep 2014, 10:26
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Try 73 just since 1990! (can't swear to the complete accuracy of this list, but it's not far off)

Barnwood – 1990
Bawdsey – 1990
Bishops Court – 1990
North Coates – 1990
Abingdon – 1992 Site remains with Army
Biggin Hill – 1992
Brawdy – 1992 Site remains with Army
Ely – 1992
Mount Batten – 1992
Wildenrath – 1992
Gutersloh – 1993 Site remains with Army
Jurby Head – 1993
Wattisham – 1993 Site remains with Army
Catterick – 1994 Site remains with Army
Belize – 1994
Gatow – 1994
West Drayton – 1994
West Raynham – 1994 Site remains with Army
Chilmark – 1995
Chivenor – 1995 Site remains with Royal Marines
Harrowgate – 1995
Hullavington – 1995 Site remains with Army
Swinderby – 1995
Swanton Morley – 1995 Site remains with Army
Ash – 1996
Carlisle – 1996
Finningley – 1996
Lindholme – 1996
Machrihanish – 1996
Pitreavie Castle – 1996
Quedgeley – 1996
Rheindahlen – 1996
Sek Kong – 1996
Turnhouse – 1996
Ty Croes – 1996
Upavon – 1996 Site remains with Army
Wegberg – 1996
Wroughton – 1996 Site remains with MOD
Bracknell – 1997
Decimomannu – 1997
Stanmore Park – 1997
Locking – 1998
North Luffenham – 1998 Site remains with Army
Stornoway – 1998
Hereford – 1999 Site remains with Army
Manston – 1999 Site remains with Defence Fire Service
Laarbruch – 1999
Bampton Castle – 2000 Site contractorised in support of MOD
Cardington – 2000
Newton – 2000
Rosehearty – 2000
Rudloe Manor – 2001 Site remains with DE&S
Bruggen – 2001
Nordhorn – 2001
Oakhanger – 2003 Site contractorised in support of MOD
Buchan – 2004
Goose Bay – 2005
Sealand – 2006 Site remains with MOD
Stafford – 2006 Site remains with MOD
Coltishall – 2006
Neatishead – 2006
Saxa Vord – 2006
Boddington – 2007
Innsworth – 2008 Site remains with Army
Aldergrove – 2009 Site remains with Army
Bentley Priory – 2009
Wainfleet – 2009
Uxbridge – 2011
Kinloss – 2012 Site remains with Army
Cottesmore – 2012 Site remains with Army
Lyneham – 2012 Site earmarked for DTTCP
Brampton – 2013
and finally...Leuchars – 2015
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Old 10th Sep 2014, 15:16
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You missed Stanbridge and Prestwick.
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Old 10th Sep 2014, 15:36
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Sad to see the base go.

Crikey, what a closure list. Apart from Mount Pleasent I don't think we have opened any either? Any more after Leuchers or have we paused for breath....
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Old 10th Sep 2014, 15:51
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How on earth do they justify keeping it open for just UAS ?
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