wow, a full 2 month tour for each sqn...
I bet the Harrier lads are in complete awe.
I'm sorry but, I fail to see how this is big news.
I think it's just a bit of positive press coverage that only "us in the know" and the "spotters" will notice the mistake included.
You're right though, it's not new news, Tornado Sqns have been rotating through the Gulf since '91. There was even a variety of locations you could go to: Dhahran, Al Kharj, Ali Al Salem, or if you dropped on, Incirlik and now of course Al Udied.
Most of the Tornado force are looking forward to spreading their wings even further soon
So I'd guess they're not worried about what someone else thinks of their tour durations.
Back on track, at least it was a Tornado, of sorts.