A third Typhoon Squadron has now become operational at RAF Lossiemouth following their stand-up earlier this year.
II (Army Co-operation) Squadron is the fifth RAF front-line Typhoon squadron and its commanding officer, Wing Commander Roger Elliott, took charge of the embryonic squadron with an almost a full complement of engineers and half of its final number of pilots.
The squadron is, however, now working towards fully autonomous operations before it will move to the buildings formerly occupied by the famous 617 Squadron, the ‘Dambusters’.
Wing Commander Elliott said “It is a great honour to be chosen to command such an historic squadron.
“II (AC) Squadron has been extremely active in the past year flying a total of 781 operational sorties in Afghanistan, Africa and Iraq with the Tornado GR.4.
“It now behoves us as the latest to be adorned in the famous white and black badges to take the Squadron forward and, as the first Typhoon ‘Army Co-operation’ Squadron, look forward to being announced as ‘Multi-Role Combat Ready’ by the end of the year.
“In the meantime, our pilots and ground crew will continue to operate alongside the rest of the Typhoon force in exercises and operations both in the UK and abroad.”