If I put my cynicism aside though, I guess it isn't very surprising.
I've spent the last few nights talking to my best mate about this, a serving member of the RAF stationed at Wittering. His partner is based at Cottesmore so you can imagine they are a bit concerned! He reminded me that Cottesmore was always scheduled to close at some point, although not yet, but the squadrons will not move to Wittering until Mach 2011, if at all... It was a widely held view within the RAF that Cottesmore was not going to base the JSF as it was too noisy.
Personally, I think the 'Elephant in the room' around this is the forthcoming general election. It might be too much to hope, but maybe a different government might make different decisions. That being said, it would be nice to think these decisions have been made/agreed by chiefs of staff, so maybe things won't change. The state of our economy can't be ignored either, and rightly or wrongly it's difficult to justify expenditure on near end of life kit.
I'm not saying it's right, but trying to be a bit philosophical as are my friends.
The lack of future photographic opportunities don't matter of course in comparison to peoples livelihoods and impacts on families...
