Home   News   Article

RAF Lossiemouth personnel given Freedom of Angus

By Jonathan Clark
- jonny.clark@hnmedia.co.uk
Published: 10:21, 30 July 2019
 | Updated: 10:24, 30 July 2019

Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.

Sign Up
Click here to sign up to our free newsletters!

AROUND 60 personnel from RAF Lossiemouth received the honour of the Freedom of Angus on Friday, July 26.

Number II (Army Cooperation) Squadron were given the honour at a ceremonial parade in Montrose as a flypast by two II (AC) squadron typhoons marked 106 years since the squadron was first stationed at Montrose Air Station.

Angus Provost Mr Ronnie Procter gave out the honours and the parade was led by Officer Commanding II (AC) squadron, Wing Commander Jim "Rosie" Lee. It was a particularly poignant moment for Mr Lee, as it marked the end of his tenure as the Officer Commanding of II (AC) Squadron.

Image shows II (Army Cooperation) Squadrons’ Freedom of Angus Parade taking place in the High Street of Montrose, Angus on the 26th July 2019. The Parade consisted of 2 flights of 30 persons per flight, a standard party supported by the Central Band of the Royal Air Force as well as a flypast provided by the Lossiemouth Spt Party (LSP) to accept the Freedom of Angus from the Provost of Angus and exercise the Freedom by marching through Montrose. For the history of why the parade is taking place, The Royal Flying Corps was directed to and established 12 air stations in the Uk in the Autumn of 1912. The first was established by 2 Sqn RFC (No. II(AC) Sqn RAF) at Montrose in Feb 1913. Following ground-breaking deployments to Ireland and England and the setting of several distance and altitude records, the Sqn left Montrose for France and World War 1 in Aug 1914 never to return. In recognition of its contribution to the development of Airpower whilst stationed at Montrose and to the security and Defence of the UK since its formation in 1912, Angus Council has conferred the Freedom of Angus on II (AC) Sqn. Originator: Sqn Ldr Gibson Section: 2 Sqn Ext: *For more information contact Photographic Section, RAF Lossiemouth, IV31 6SD. Tel: 01343 817191
Image shows II (Army Cooperation) Squadrons’ Freedom of Angus Parade taking place in the High Street of Montrose, Angus on the 26th July 2019. The Parade consisted of 2 flights of 30 persons per flight, a standard party supported by the Central Band of the Royal Air Force as well as a flypast provided by the Lossiemouth Spt Party (LSP) to accept the Freedom of Angus from the Provost of Angus and exercise the Freedom by marching through Montrose. For the history of why the parade is taking place, The Royal Flying Corps was directed to and established 12 air stations in the Uk in the Autumn of 1912. The first was established by 2 Sqn RFC (No. II(AC) Sqn RAF) at Montrose in Feb 1913. Following ground-breaking deployments to Ireland and England and the setting of several distance and altitude records, the Sqn left Montrose for France and World War 1 in Aug 1914 never to return. In recognition of its contribution to the development of Airpower whilst stationed at Montrose and to the security and Defence of the UK since its formation in 1912, Angus Council has conferred the Freedom of Angus on II (AC) Sqn. Originator: Sqn Ldr Gibson Section: 2 Sqn Ext: *For more information contact Photographic Section, RAF Lossiemouth, IV31 6SD. Tel: 01343 817191

He said: "I am immensely proud of the men and women I have had under my command. In a demanding year of operations, holding Quick Reaction Alert in both the United Kingdom and the Falkland Islands, and conducting counter-ISIS operations in the Middle East, their positivity and professionalism has allowed us to consistently deliver air power where it is needed.

"It is bittersweet. I am honoured the squadron has been awarded with the Freedom of Angus, recognising the strong connections between the town of Montrose and the squadron. But as my last day in command, part of me is sad to leave the talented men and women who make up the squadron. Fortunately, I know that under their successor they will move from strength to strength, and I wish all of ‘Shiny Two’ the best."

Enjoying the warm Scottish summer's day, a number of locals lined the streets to watch the parade.

Image shows II (Army Cooperation) Squadrons’ Freedom of Angus Parade taking place in the High Street of Montrose, Angus on the 26th July 2019. The Parade consisted of 2 flights of 30 persons per flight, a standard party supported by the Central Band of the Royal Air Force as well as a flypast provided by the Lossiemouth Spt Party (LSP) to accept the Freedom of Angus from the Provost of Angus and exercise the Freedom by marching through Montrose. For the history of why the parade is taking place, The Royal Flying Corps was directed to and established 12 air stations in the Uk in the Autumn of 1912. The first was established by 2 Sqn RFC (No. II(AC) Sqn RAF) at Montrose in Feb 1913. Following ground-breaking deployments to Ireland and England and the setting of several distance and altitude records, the Sqn left Montrose for France and World War 1 in Aug 1914 never to return. In recognition of its contribution to the development of Airpower whilst stationed at Montrose and to the security and Defence of the UK since its formation in 1912, Angus Council has conferred the Freedom of Angus on II (AC) Sqn. Originator: Sqn Ldr Gibson Section: 2 Sqn Ext:
Image shows II (Army Cooperation) Squadrons’ Freedom of Angus Parade taking place in the High Street of Montrose, Angus on the 26th July 2019. The Parade consisted of 2 flights of 30 persons per flight, a standard party supported by the Central Band of the Royal Air Force as well as a flypast provided by the Lossiemouth Spt Party (LSP) to accept the Freedom of Angus from the Provost of Angus and exercise the Freedom by marching through Montrose. For the history of why the parade is taking place, The Royal Flying Corps was directed to and established 12 air stations in the Uk in the Autumn of 1912. The first was established by 2 Sqn RFC (No. II(AC) Sqn RAF) at Montrose in Feb 1913. Following ground-breaking deployments to Ireland and England and the setting of several distance and altitude records, the Sqn left Montrose for France and World War 1 in Aug 1914 never to return. In recognition of its contribution to the development of Airpower whilst stationed at Montrose and to the security and Defence of the UK since its formation in 1912, Angus Council has conferred the Freedom of Angus on II (AC) Sqn. Originator: Sqn Ldr Gibson Section: 2 Sqn Ext:

Station Commander at RAF Lossiemouth, Group Captain Jim Walls, said: "It is a great honour to be on parade, and a particular honour for one of RAF Lossiemouth’s squadrons to receive a Freedom. I am immensely proud of the contribution the squadron makes in delivering air power, both at home and on operations."

With over 106 years of service under the Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force, Montrose Air Station was II (AC) squadron’s first home as an operational military airfield in 1913. Flying the BE2, a twin-seat propeller biplane, many of the early aviation records were set – including the longest non-stop flight of 7 hours and 20 minutes, and the national height record of 16,000ft.

Today the squadron are regularly on operations in the UK and overseas, only recently returning from RAF Akrotiri where they were leading the air campaign against Daesh. After some well-earned leave, the squadron departs for Malaysia later this year.

Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.
Latest News Jonathan Clark
This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies - Learn More
AGREE