RAF Lossiemouth

RAF Lossiemouth
Near Lossiemouth, Moray in Scotland
A Typhoon FGR4 in No. 6 Squadron markings taking off from runway 23 at Lossiemouth
Thoir an aire
(Scottish Gaelic for 'Be careful')
RAF Lossiemouth is located in Moray
RAF Lossiemouth
RAF Lossiemouth
Shown within Moray
RAF Lossiemouth is located in the United Kingdom
RAF Lossiemouth
RAF Lossiemouth
RAF Lossiemouth (the United Kingdom)
Coordinates57°42′19″N 003°20′21″W / 57.70528°N 3.33917°W / 57.70528; -3.33917
TypeMain Operating Base
Area580 hectares (1,400 acres)[1]
Site information
OwnerMinistry of Defence
OperatorRoyal Air Force
Controlled byNo. 1 Group (Air Combat)
ConditionOperational
WebsiteOfficial website
Site history
Built1938 (1938)–1939
In use
  • 1939–1946 (Royal Air Force)
  • 1946–1972 (Fleet Air Arm)
  • 1972 – present (Royal Air Force)
Garrison information
Current
commander
Group Captain Jim Lee
OccupantsFlying units: See Based units section for full list.
Airfield information
IdentifiersIATA: LMO, ICAO: EGQS, WMO: 03068
Elevation12.5 metres (41 ft) AMSL
Runways
Direction Length and surface
05/23 2,764 metres (9,068 ft) Asphalt
10/28 1,850 metres (6,070 ft) Asphalt
Source: UK MIL AIP Lossiemouth[2]

Royal Air Force Lossiemouth or more commonly RAF Lossiemouth (IATA: LMO, ICAO: EGQS) is a military airfield located on the western edge of the town of Lossiemouth in Moray, north-east Scotland.

Lossiemouth is one of the largest and busiest fast-jet stations in the Royal Air Force (RAF) and known for its close proximity to flight training areas in Scotland and its favourable local flying conditions. Since the closure of RAF Leuchars in 2015, Lossiemouth is the only operational RAF station in Scotland and is one of two main operating bases for the Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4 in the United Kingdom. It is home to four front-line fast jet units which operate the Typhoon: No. 1 Squadron, No. 2 Squadron, No. 6 Squadron and No. 9 Squadron. All four Squadrons contribute to the Quick Reaction Alert (Interceptor) North capability which provides continuous protection of UK airspace. It is also home to No. 120 Squadron and No. 201 Squadron, both flying the Poseidon MRA1 in the maritime patrol role. It has also been designated as the future home of the RAF's new fleet of three Boeing Wedgetail AEW1 airborne early warning and control aircraft, with deliveries commencing in 2023. There are a number of non-flying units at RAF Lossiemouth including No. 5 Force Protection Wing and an RAF Mountain Rescue Service team.

The airfield opened in 1939 and was operated by the RAF, predominantly as part of Bomber Command, until 1946 when it transferred to the Fleet Air Arm (FAA) and became known as RNAS Lossiemouth or HMS Fulmar. Lossiemouth was used as a training station by the FAA until it was handed back to the RAF in September 1972, after which it has largely operated as a fast-jet base.

  1. ^ "Defence Estates Development Plan 2009 – Annex A". GOV.UK. Ministry of Defence. 3 July 2009. p. A3. Retrieved 21 April 2016.
  2. ^ "UK MIL AIP Lossiemouth AD-2 EGQS" (PDF). UK Military AIP. No. 1 Aeronautical Information Documents Unit. 31 December 2020. Retrieved 15 January 2021.

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