Squadrons(?)

[Unknown74]

When are we likely to hear in 2010 which the other 2 Squadrons are to be based at Leuchars alongside No.6? I really hope they keep it at 43 and 111Sqn.

Also what is it with that fence? Was up for a spotting trip last month and when I tried to get some good views here was this bunch of planks of wood in the way so I had to cross to the embankment.

[gamecock]

Interesting post from XV107 on Britmodeller:

I don't think that it's possible to say which squadron will be next at the moment. While I've made a few educated guesses here before, based upon the squadron seniority lists, the defence review could cause considerable confusion.

For instance, if the RAF decides to cut the Tornado GR4 fleet by a couple of squadrons, it may be that II(AC) - the most senior RAF squadron of all -and 617 - with its special status as one of the two units to be awarded its standard early for distinguished war service - suddenly enter the frame, so as to ensure continuity of service; neither would disband as GR4 squadrons, merely re-equip and then relocate with Typhoon.

Alternatively, any early retirement of all or part of the Harrier fleet will see one of/both the 1(F) and IV(AC) 'plates come into play, as they are senior to 43 and 111, and in the case of 1(F) - and possibly IV, I forget - 25 as well, then they will almost certainly re-equip with the Typhoon. Unless, of course, they are to disband after the formation of the last Typhoon squadron, which leaves them in limbo.

And, since it was recently disbanded, 23 Sqn is a senior numberplate looking for a squadron to be attached to, so... Or will 23 end up as a mixed squadron, owning all the RAF airframes down in the Falklands?

And then we have the further possible fun that might be caused if the decision to buy more Chinooks (if confirmed) and transfer the RAF's Merlins to the Commando Helicopter Force is enacted. Do 28 and 72 transfer to the CHF - effectively as part of 'Joint Force Merlin' alongside 84 NAS - or do they re-equip with the additional Chinooks? And how big will the new helicopter force squadrons be? Will the numberplates be assigned to discreet units which deploy en masse (thus about 8 airframes per squadron)? If so, then you're likely to see some traditional fighter squadron numberplates appear as helicopter squadrons. And if we end up with approx 70 Chinooks, will we end up with the OCU being given squadron status?

And if we decide to go down the route of having smaller-size squadrons, do we do the same for the Typhoons, ending up with ten/twelve/fourteen instead of the five/six/seven originally planned? And....


...you get the point.

In essence, until we see the outcome of the defence review and know what the implications are for the RAF as a whole, then it's difficult to make even educated guesses as to the identity of the next Typhoon unit. Or anything else, for that matter...

[ukmil]

i would stake my life [well therotically] it will be 43 sqn , somehow, i just know

[Unknown74]

Any sense and 43 and 111 Sqns will be back once again defending Scotland's Skies.

[HighlandSniper]

Pure speculation, why not just wait and see. I'm sure the MoD/RAF will tell us as soon as possible.

Far too many people make posts based on rumours and assumptions rather than hard fact.

[Unknown74]

Nice one HighlandSniper, you are so right, we are just going to have to be patient and wait and see - good to see a realist, my sort of person, there is no point in speculating as when you do and it doesn't happen - Whatamistakatomaka!

[ukmil]

who is speculating?

[GOOSE]

who is speculating?

I'd trust what ukmil says with my life (theoretically too)

[gixrgill]

does anyone know anything re 6sqdn? we understood they were to re form at coningsby then move up to leuchars in april time, local rumour down south is that although we have 6sqn crew and pilots they havent re formed as such and have amalgamated with other groundcrews stationed here.

[ukmil]

6 Sqn forms, theoretically on Apr 1st at CBY. The crews are currently on other Sqns, and the groundcrew are currently mostly now at Cby undergoing training. After training, they are working on the Cby Sqns to gain experience. On Apr 1st, 6 Sqn will come together at Cby, however, that is NOT an official stand-up. 6 Sqn will then be arriving at Leuchars on 1st Sep 2010, in time for the airshow So if you go to the airshow you will see typhoons. After all this, 6 sqn will then stand up around Oct 10 officially

of course, this could all be pure speculation again

[iain s]

Thanks for the update, great to hear about the mighty "Fighting Cocks " aswell