closing an airfield is costly in the short term, costs are only re-couped over 5+ years
Really? I thought the whole argument for trying to squeeze JFH into one MOB was because of the need to make immediate savings. Much the same reasoning was also used (IIRC) for moving the Jag force to Coningsby despite it having 2 (?) years left in its Service life.
In the short term you've got savings in civilian staff (slightly offset by redundancy payments), utilities, maintenance of the airfield and airfield services etc. In the long term you may get some cash if you can sell the real estate and buildings (HMP Kinloss anyone?).
do you think this will spell the end of Lossie and Kinloss
Perhaps Leuchars and Kinloss but I think Lossie is fairly safe (although it may become HMS Fulmar again
. Unless JSF gets binned of course ....