The third Typhoon unit being based at RAF Lossiemouth has been revealed as II (Army Co-operation) Squadron, currently flying Tornado GR4’s from RAF Marham.
II Squadron is one of the oldest in the RAF and is to complete its final deployment to Afghanistan early next year, after which they will being replacing their Tornado aircraft with new Typhoon F35B Lightning II fighter jets.
Two existing Typhoon squadrons will move to the Moray base next year – these will now be joined by II Squadron in the spring of 2015.
The move was announced by the Minister of State for the Armed Forces, Mark Francois MP, who said the change was part of the planned realignment of the RAF’s long serving, Tornado Force, under which all GR4s will leave the service by 2019.
Mr Francois said: “Number II Squadron has the distinction of being one of the oldest fixed-wing flying squadrons in the world, having first formed in 1912.
“Since being equipped with Tornado aircraft in 1989 it has served with distinction on operations in Libya, the Balkans and Iraq and will complete its final tour of duty in Afghanistan in early 2014.”
The minister added that the squadron would formally disband on 31 March 2015 before being reformed the next day at RAF Lossiemouth.
He said: “I’m sure that the squadron’s valuable contribution to operations throughout its long and distinguished history will continue as it helps maintain the strong traditions of RAF Lossiemouth as a main operating base for the RAF into the future.”