Former Tornado top gun says closure would defy logic
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FORMER Tornado pilot Colin McGregor claims the closure of RAF Lossiemouth would "defy all logic and common sense" and is pinning his hopes on a positive decision for the base.
The ex-Squadron Leader at RAF Lossiemouth has just returned from a visit to 617 Squadron in Afghanistan as part of filming for a BBC documentary.
"RAF Lossiemouth is the biggest and best fast jet base in the UK, offering unrivalled access to the best training areas and weapons ranges the UK has on offer - and MoD chiefs know that," he said.
Mr McGregor, now a commercial airline pilot who lives in Elgin with his family, said the facilities and location of RAF Lossiemouth were vital in 617 Sqn’s work up training for their operational detachment to Afghanistan.
"To a man," he said, "they would be devastated if it was to close.
"The closure of Lossiemouth defies all logic and common sense which ever way you look at it. I can only hope that the final decsion is in its favour."
It is understood a final decision on basing structure has been taken, but that still needs to be signed off by Prime Minister David Cameron and senior ministers.
It was hoped a decision would have been announced this week but it could be next Monday before an announcement is made.
The future of RAF Leuchars in Fife also remains uncertain.
There is speculation that UK troops set to pull out of Germany over the next few years could be based at RAF Kinloss, which will close as an air station at the end of July.
That followed the UK Government decision last October, as part of the Strategic Defence and Security Review, to scrap the new Nimrod MRA4.
Mr McGregor’s brother, Hollywood actor Ewan, and fellow Scots film star Kevin McKidd, whose family still lives in Elgin, have both backed the campaign to retain RAF Lossiemouth.
