Two of RAF Coltishall's four squadrons will cease to exist next month
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Two of RAF Coltishall's four squadrons will cease to exist next month
From the Eastern Daily Press
Two of RAF Coltishall's four squadrons will cease to exist next month after
the largest ceremony of its kind in RAF history.
A third squadron will be disbanded in a little over a year, but the remain-
ing squadron, the longest serving in RAF history, has been given a predicted
reprieve and will continue into the future at a base in Lincolnshire.
One of disbanded squadrons will maintain its Norfolk links by "laying up"
its standard in Norwich Cathedral.
Details of the first tranche in the much publicised closure _ or 'draw down'
_ of the historic base were given by RAF bosses yesterday.
It was announced in July that the biggest military shake up for a generation
would see the base closed by the end of 2006, after more than 60 years.
Defence cuts will also see Coltishall's famous Jaguars pensioned off by 2007
and replaced with the Typhoon Eurofighter.
Fears that the disbanding would see half of the base's 1500 personnel moved
out overnight have been scotched.
A few dozen will leave the base, but the majority will be "re-brigaded" _ or
dispersed _ into the remaining squadrons.
The draw down process will start visibly on March 11, when 16 and 54
squadrons will be disbanded at a special parade held at the base.
The event will feature a visit from the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Sir
Jock Stirrup, a parade of more than 450 Coltishall personnel and a flypast
and display from the Red Arrows.
Sir Jock, a former Jaguar pilot, will inspect and address the disbanding
squadrons.
Yesterday, the base's community relations officer Mick Jennings said the
event would be "the biggest disbandment parade held in RAF history and the
biggest parade of any sort held on a station since the 1950s".
He said a host of guests and former members of the two disbanded squadrons
had been invited to the parade.
Mr Jennings also outlined plans for March 12 and 13. The Saturday will see a
family day held at the base to mark the disbandments.
This will see displays featuring aircraft that have been based at Colt-
ishall, including Spitfires, Hunters, Hawks and Jaguars.
On the Sunday, staff from 54 Squadron will be at Norwich Cathedral to hand
their standard over. Mr Jennings said the standard would be "blessed and
handed over to the cathedral for safe keeping".
Two of RAF Coltishall's four squadrons will cease to exist next month after
the largest ceremony of its kind in RAF history.
A third squadron will be disbanded in a little over a year, but the remain-
ing squadron, the longest serving in RAF history, has been given a predicted
reprieve and will continue into the future at a base in Lincolnshire.
One of disbanded squadrons will maintain its Norfolk links by "laying up"
its standard in Norwich Cathedral.
Details of the first tranche in the much publicised closure _ or 'draw down'
_ of the historic base were given by RAF bosses yesterday.
It was announced in July that the biggest military shake up for a generation
would see the base closed by the end of 2006, after more than 60 years.
Defence cuts will also see Coltishall's famous Jaguars pensioned off by 2007
and replaced with the Typhoon Eurofighter.
Fears that the disbanding would see half of the base's 1500 personnel moved
out overnight have been scotched.
A few dozen will leave the base, but the majority will be "re-brigaded" _ or
dispersed _ into the remaining squadrons.
The draw down process will start visibly on March 11, when 16 and 54
squadrons will be disbanded at a special parade held at the base.
The event will feature a visit from the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Sir
Jock Stirrup, a parade of more than 450 Coltishall personnel and a flypast
and display from the Red Arrows.
Sir Jock, a former Jaguar pilot, will inspect and address the disbanding
squadrons.
Yesterday, the base's community relations officer Mick Jennings said the
event would be "the biggest disbandment parade held in RAF history and the
biggest parade of any sort held on a station since the 1950s".
He said a host of guests and former members of the two disbanded squadrons
had been invited to the parade.
Mr Jennings also outlined plans for March 12 and 13. The Saturday will see a
family day held at the base to mark the disbandments.
This will see displays featuring aircraft that have been based at Colt-
ishall, including Spitfires, Hunters, Hawks and Jaguars.
On the Sunday, staff from 54 Squadron will be at Norwich Cathedral to hand
their standard over. Mr Jennings said the standard would be "blessed and
handed over to the cathedral for safe keeping".
OLD RED DAMASK
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Fondly remember my first ATC camp at Coltishall in1965 when it was if memory serves me well 226 OCU on T4 Lightnings.The first time I saw one doing circuits and going straight up was a sight and sound that you never forget.Oh not forgetting the overnight camp in a field near Cromer and my RAF swimming test.Sad times but happy thoughts.
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Also remember an ATC Camp at Colt. back in 1999 - had a complete blast all week. Made my day when I got to taxi a Jag out! Such a great place & great people. What a waste. So sad to see it go. 
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3 tours at Colt, the last on 54(F). Left the sqn in Oct, a sad day for me then, and again in Dec when I left the service. An even sadder one to come in March! Audax.
"And welcome home sir, undercarriage lever a little sticky was it?"
"And welcome home sir, undercarriage lever a little sticky was it?"
When I joined up the Jag was the new kid on the block, I watched the baby grow gracefully into the lady she is today.
As a mere Ops man long before the days where back seats were banned for us mere mortals, I flew lots of back seats and loved every minute. The first with the man who became Mr Jag Man GW1, and the last with a vertically challenged Scotsman who it was rumoured hid a cushion under his flying suit so he could see out!! I even did the Jag display albeit at 7,000ft.
I am not a pilot so I can't comment on small engines, and a high workload cockpit that in early life had the pilot looking heads down at the nav kit controller way to much, but I will say the pilots i knew loved the jet, including an ex-lightning 1,000 hr man - high praise indeed.
Its sad to see her going, very sad and it makes me wonder where the last 25 or so years have gone. Im just glad I have left before her demise, I hope her passing is treated with the respect she has earned and deserves.
sob
As a mere Ops man long before the days where back seats were banned for us mere mortals, I flew lots of back seats and loved every minute. The first with the man who became Mr Jag Man GW1, and the last with a vertically challenged Scotsman who it was rumoured hid a cushion under his flying suit so he could see out!! I even did the Jag display albeit at 7,000ft.
I am not a pilot so I can't comment on small engines, and a high workload cockpit that in early life had the pilot looking heads down at the nav kit controller way to much, but I will say the pilots i knew loved the jet, including an ex-lightning 1,000 hr man - high praise indeed.
Its sad to see her going, very sad and it makes me wonder where the last 25 or so years have gone. Im just glad I have left before her demise, I hope her passing is treated with the respect she has earned and deserves.
sob
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My pleasure Red 5 - brotherly love provoked the PD to Wyton.
Point of order - it wasn't a low flypast, it was an overshoot! She just takes a while to accelerate you know.
Point of order - it wasn't a low flypast, it was an overshoot! She just takes a while to accelerate you know.
Sad times....I flew with 54 as a Space Cadet in 1996, my first FJ Flight....my grandfather was the Officers`Mess Barman for 30 years at Colt...he still lives in the area...must try and get an invite for him to the closing ceremony at Colt...any ideas?
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I understand from a mate that the Army have their eyes on Colt as home for several infantry thingies. There goes the neighbourhood 
. Loads of hardstanding for MT and drill, and cr@p SLA to boot!
If this is true, presumably, one of the major arguments for closing Neatishead has just disappeared?
Will miss the Jags though; there's nothing quite like a bit of heaters-only DACT againt F3s, first names on the R/T, and coming out the winners!
. Loads of hardstanding for MT and drill, and cr@p SLA to boot!If this is true, presumably, one of the major arguments for closing Neatishead has just disappeared?
Will miss the Jags though; there's nothing quite like a bit of heaters-only DACT againt F3s, first names on the R/T, and coming out the winners!
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54 Squadron seem to be using up spare paint to mark the disbandment in style
ARTF for a recent deployment to Norway:
And a fitting reminder to anyone watching that they were just denied 90 years of service
ARTF for a recent deployment to Norway:
And a fitting reminder to anyone watching that they were just denied 90 years of service