RAF Lossiemouth
RAF Lossiemouth
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| Near Lossiemouth, Moray in Scotland | |||||||||
A Tornado GR4 of 617 Squadron (Dambusters) over RAF Lossiemouth.
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Thoir An Aire (Be Careful)
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 EGQS
Shown within Moray
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| Coordinates | 57°42′19″N 003°20′21″W / 57.70528°N 3.33917°WCoordinates: 57°42′19″N 003°20′21″W / 57.70528°N 3.33917°W | ||||||||
| Type | Royal Air Force station | ||||||||
| Site information | |||||||||
| Owner | Ministry of Defence | ||||||||
| Operator |
Royal Air Force 1939–1946 and 1972–Present Fleet Air Arm 1946–1972 |
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| Website | www |
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| Site history | |||||||||
| Built | 1938/9 | ||||||||
| In use | 1939–Present | ||||||||
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| Current commander |
Group Captain Paul Godfrey OBE MA RAF | ||||||||
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| Airfield information | |||||||||
| Identifiers | IATA: LMO, ICAO: EGQS, WMO: 03068 | ||||||||
| Elevation | 13 metres (43 ft) AMSL | ||||||||
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Royal Air Force 1939–1946 and 1972–Present
Royal Air Force Lossiemouth or more commonly RAF Lossiemouth (IATA: LMO, ICAO: EGQS) is a military airfield located on the western edge of the town of Lossiemouth in Moray, north-east Scotland.
Lossiemouth is one of the largest and busiest fast-jet stations in the Royal Air Force and known for its close proximity to flight training areas in Scotland and its favourable local flying conditions. It is now the only operational RAF station in Scotland and is one of two main operating bases for the Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4 in the UK. It is home to three frontline units which operate the Typhoon (No. 1 Squadron, No. 2 (AC) Squadron and No. 6 Squadron) each of which contribute to the Quick Reaction Alert (Interceptor) North capability which provides continuous protection of UK airspace. The Tornado GR4 Operational Conversion Unit, XV(Reserve) Squadron is also based at the station.
The airfield opened in 1939 and was operated by the RAF predominately as part of Bomber Command until 1946 when it was handed over to the Fleet Air Arm (FAA) and became known as RNAS Lossiemouth (HMS Fulmar). The FAA used Lossiemouth as a training station until it was handed back to the RAF in September 1972, after which it has operated largely as fast-jet base.
Construction started during the summer of 1938 when 220 hectares of agricultural land was acquired in order to accommodate the air station. The land was cleared of vegetation and buildings and by the spring of 1939 several wooden huts were present. Group Captain P.E Maitland AFC MVO was the first station commander and took up post in March 1939, with the station formally opening on 1 May 1939. The first unit to take up residence at Lossiemouth was No. 15 Flight Training School, initially equipped with thirteen Airspeed Oxfords and five Hawker Harts. Aircraft were stored in the open until the first hangars were completed in August 1939. That same month tragedy struck when three crew members were killed during a mid-air collision between two Oxfords.
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Wikipedia