Charlie Luncher
30th Nov 2001, 17:51
Found this whilst surfing the net from the local gazette:
Growth gives the lie to rumours of closure
MISGUIDED rumours concerning the "imminent closure" of RAF Kinloss have been part of the scuttlebut in and around Forres ever since the air force moved in more than 60 years ago.
But as Gazette' editor DAVID MORGAN knows all too well, the rumour machine is often on the mark, and on occasions acquires the truth entirely. Worries over the future base of the existing Nimrod fleet and unfounded doubts about its replacement MRA4 airframe have done little to stem the flow of negativity from some quarters.
But a recent tour of the massive Kinloss site - now half the size at London's Heathrow Airport - paints an entirely different picture which should reassure the area that RAF Kinloss not only has a future, but is preparing for growth with substantial upgrades in equipment and a rash of large new structures.
A MAN "in the know" told me months ago that RAF Kinloss would "never see the new Nimrod".
It's not the first time I've heard such predictions - and I fear it may be true.
RAF Kinloss has a bright future - not as home to the world's most sophisticated maritime search and patrol but as a military airfield in the wider sense. It is already a major NATO installation, and judging by the level of activity on the site this week, and planned work I have been told about, there can be no doubt that RAF Kinloss will remain important for many decades to come.
Commanding Officer, sees years of growth and service enhancement ahead at the base.
"There's a lot happening here, and we have a lot in the pipeline for the years ahead," he told me. "The station is preparing for the new aircraft and looking ahead."
To meet the new arrivals, a contract valued at £8 million is progressing well, and will deliver stronger and wider taxiways and resurfaced parking pans for the new fleets. New drainage facilities are evident and are due to be further improved to protect the airfield and the highly-sensitive nature reserve around Findhorn Bay.
Major works in progress
THE MAJOR expansion at RAF Kinloss is likely to see the Line Squadron replaced before 2005 and a major new construction alongside the recently completed Squadron HQ buildings to accommodate a new Operations Centre by 2004.
The existing Ops Block dates from the late 1950s and is unfit for its growing role. Further growth could see the existing ageing motor transport section replaced with modern premises, while plans are being examined to build a new medical centre complete with dental facilities.
The RAF Station HQ, a post-war construction well past its useful life, is also up for replacement, while a new training and education building costing around £250,000 is currently under construction.
Close to the rear of the recently modernised Officers' Mess and its £2 million kitchen suite is a new Ground Support Equipment building - a huge development which has cost nearly £4 million. The station is also set to see a new gymnasium and pool complex built on Southside, and plans are moving ahead for a child-care facility at RAF Kinloss.
These developments are in addition to recent new construction at the base. In the past decade, many old structures have been demolished and replaced with up-to-date buildings. The station boasts one of the finest Sergeants' Mess facilities in the country, has a purpose-built £7 million Supply Squadron complex, new Operational Conversion Unit school and other educational facilities, and a new main gate layout.
It all adds up to a confident view of the future -reassuring growth which should bring confidence to the local area.
"We have 2000 service personnel here, around 300 civilians and currently around 300 contractors on site," said Group Capt. "That's a measure of the station's status and its future."
Even though the Cold War has thawed, RAF Kinloss remains at the forefront of NATO air warfare. The station has seen four Nimrods based in the Middle East and committed to the war against terrorism in recent weeks, and the fleet is constantly airborne on antisubmarine and SAR patrols far from home.
It's an important military base heading for a long and active future. That's good news for the Forres area and Moray in general. The RAF have "grown up" in Moray and it seems clear they mean to stay.
with delays with nim2050 seems like a whole lotta work for some new visitors.
Maybe they will relocate the kippers to help retention and recruitment. :p
[ 30 November 2001: Message edited by: Charlie Luncher ]
Growth gives the lie to rumours of closure
MISGUIDED rumours concerning the "imminent closure" of RAF Kinloss have been part of the scuttlebut in and around Forres ever since the air force moved in more than 60 years ago.
But as Gazette' editor DAVID MORGAN knows all too well, the rumour machine is often on the mark, and on occasions acquires the truth entirely. Worries over the future base of the existing Nimrod fleet and unfounded doubts about its replacement MRA4 airframe have done little to stem the flow of negativity from some quarters.
But a recent tour of the massive Kinloss site - now half the size at London's Heathrow Airport - paints an entirely different picture which should reassure the area that RAF Kinloss not only has a future, but is preparing for growth with substantial upgrades in equipment and a rash of large new structures.
A MAN "in the know" told me months ago that RAF Kinloss would "never see the new Nimrod".
It's not the first time I've heard such predictions - and I fear it may be true.
RAF Kinloss has a bright future - not as home to the world's most sophisticated maritime search and patrol but as a military airfield in the wider sense. It is already a major NATO installation, and judging by the level of activity on the site this week, and planned work I have been told about, there can be no doubt that RAF Kinloss will remain important for many decades to come.
Commanding Officer, sees years of growth and service enhancement ahead at the base.
"There's a lot happening here, and we have a lot in the pipeline for the years ahead," he told me. "The station is preparing for the new aircraft and looking ahead."
To meet the new arrivals, a contract valued at £8 million is progressing well, and will deliver stronger and wider taxiways and resurfaced parking pans for the new fleets. New drainage facilities are evident and are due to be further improved to protect the airfield and the highly-sensitive nature reserve around Findhorn Bay.
Major works in progress
THE MAJOR expansion at RAF Kinloss is likely to see the Line Squadron replaced before 2005 and a major new construction alongside the recently completed Squadron HQ buildings to accommodate a new Operations Centre by 2004.
The existing Ops Block dates from the late 1950s and is unfit for its growing role. Further growth could see the existing ageing motor transport section replaced with modern premises, while plans are being examined to build a new medical centre complete with dental facilities.
The RAF Station HQ, a post-war construction well past its useful life, is also up for replacement, while a new training and education building costing around £250,000 is currently under construction.
Close to the rear of the recently modernised Officers' Mess and its £2 million kitchen suite is a new Ground Support Equipment building - a huge development which has cost nearly £4 million. The station is also set to see a new gymnasium and pool complex built on Southside, and plans are moving ahead for a child-care facility at RAF Kinloss.
These developments are in addition to recent new construction at the base. In the past decade, many old structures have been demolished and replaced with up-to-date buildings. The station boasts one of the finest Sergeants' Mess facilities in the country, has a purpose-built £7 million Supply Squadron complex, new Operational Conversion Unit school and other educational facilities, and a new main gate layout.
It all adds up to a confident view of the future -reassuring growth which should bring confidence to the local area.
"We have 2000 service personnel here, around 300 civilians and currently around 300 contractors on site," said Group Capt. "That's a measure of the station's status and its future."
Even though the Cold War has thawed, RAF Kinloss remains at the forefront of NATO air warfare. The station has seen four Nimrods based in the Middle East and committed to the war against terrorism in recent weeks, and the fleet is constantly airborne on antisubmarine and SAR patrols far from home.
It's an important military base heading for a long and active future. That's good news for the Forres area and Moray in general. The RAF have "grown up" in Moray and it seems clear they mean to stay.
with delays with nim2050 seems like a whole lotta work for some new visitors.
Maybe they will relocate the kippers to help retention and recruitment. :p
[ 30 November 2001: Message edited by: Charlie Luncher ]