Airmen and women from 12(Bomber) Squadron were welcomed by around 200 family and friends when they returned to Moray on Thursday evening.
The Tornado squadron completed their final four-month long duty stint in Afghanistan – but had one final frustrating wait when at delay through custom controls at RAF Brize Norton meant their arrival home was an hour later than had been planned.
On disembarking at Lossiemouth the squadron personnel were each personally welcomed by the Lossiemouth Station Commander, Group Captain Ian Gale, conducting one of his final acts before leaving the base for a new challenge of his own.
Also welcoming the troops home was Wing Commander Simon Strasdin, who said: “It has been 120 days since you left RAF Lossiemouth during which time you have been defending the UK’s interests in Afghanistan.
“Each and every one of you should be extremely proud of what you have achieved – and everyone at home we cannot thank enough, your emails and parcels meant so much.”
It was the last tour of duty for the squadron who will now be disbanded in March next year, although many of the personnel will remain in Moray working with the Typhoon aircraft when they arrive at RAF Lossiemouth.