RAF Lossiemouth's £100m Poseidon facility named the 'Atlantic Building' as base marks double milestone
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RAF Lossiemouth marked a double milestone today as its £100 million Poseidon Strategic Facility was officially named as the "Atlantic Building" and a new Standard was presented to CXX Squadron.
With the Atlantic Building as a backdrop and flanked either side by two submarine-hunting Poseidon aircraft, 60 personnel from CXX Squadron formally paraded for the first time since re-forming last year.
The personnel on parade were accompanied by the RAF Lossiemouth Pipes and Drum Band as families, guests and local dignitaries looked on. VIP guests included Bill Robertson, CEO of locally-based Robertson Construction, which built the Atlantic Building.
The parade opened with a flypast of a Poseidon aircraft supported by a pair of Typhoon aircraft from II(AC) Squadron.
Air Marshal Gerry Mayhew, Deputy Commander Operations, took the formal salute and inspected the parade. The Chaplain-in-Chief and Archdeacon for the Royal Air Force, the Venerable Air Vice Marshall John Ellis QHC RAF, officiated at a Drumhead ceremony to consecrate the new Standard.
A squadron Standard is a special gift awarded by the Sovereign for either 25 years of operational service or by having earned the Sovereign’s appreciation for especially outstanding operations.
CXX Squadron – alongside No 617 Squadron (previously based at RAF Lossiemouth) – are the only two squadrons in the history of the RAF to be awarded their original Standard before accruing the full 25 years of service.
The Atlantic Building is just one element of a £360 million development following the announcement in 2015 that the MoD were to buy a fleet of nine P8 Poseidon aircraft to be based at RAF Lossiemouth. Five P8s now operate from the base with the sixth due to arrive this month. The remaining three will be delivered before the end of the year.
The significance of the name is intrinsically linked with the importance of the Atlantic Ocean, which remains of vital strategic importance to the UK. Undersea cables provide internet links to the Americas, transmitting trillions of pounds of financial transactions which if disrupted could cripple the economy.
It was a proud moment for Station Commander Gp Capt Chris Layden, who said: "For the squadron and the people from the station who are with them today this is an opportunity to publicly celebrate all that they've achieved over the last couple of years.
"RAF Lossiemouth is such an exciting and dynamic place to be and what a part of the world to be in. It's been a real privilege to be at the helm whilst so much amazing work is done."
Scottish Secretary Alister Jack said: "This crucial facility serves as an important reminder as to why RAF Lossiemouth is one of the most key military air stations in western Europe. The fleet of Poseidon submarine-hunting aircraft based here are vital to maintaining the security of the UK and our NATO allies by providing constant vigilance to threats on and under the sea and protecting the UK's nuclear deterrent.
"The Atlantic Building – part of a £360 million investment in the air base, creating and supporting hundreds of jobs locally – demonstrates powerfully how important defence is to Scotland and how important Scotland is to the defence of the UK and NATO."
The day also signalled a new era for CXX Squadron with Wing Commander James Hanson handing over command to Wg Cdr Benjamin Livesey.
Moray Conservative MP Douglas Ross said the parade was a "tremendous spectacle", adding: "It was an honour to be at RAF Lossiemouth to see the new Standard being presented, and the building that houses offices, simulators and hangar bays for the Poseidon fleet being formally named the Atlantic Building.
"The facility is hugely important economically for this area. It's a great show of confidence to the Moray community and Lossiemouth in particular."
Moray SNP MSP Richard Lochhead said: "The new facility and Boeing’s presence means that RAF Lossiemouth now has a long-term international role – with nine Boeing planes set to be based here and many more across the world. Countries including Norway and the US will be working with the team at Lossie in the years ahead.
"We have just recently celebrated the 10 years since the community campaigned to save the base and now here we are celebrating its expansion, which really is a remarkable turnaround and the expertise being built up at RAF Lossiemouth stands Moray in good stead for the years to come."
