ACTION PACKED: RAF Lossiemouth - Two F35Bs, P8 Poseidons, Typhoons, Birdstrike & Emergency Fuel Leak

The Ted Coningsby Squadron visit the QRA station of the north, RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland, wahhhayyyy! Our home station, RAF Coningsby is the QRA station of the south, protecting the skies of the southern airspace. The key role for 'Lossie' is to protect the northern airspace.

RAF Lossiemouth or 'Team Lossie' is made up of four Typhoon combat aircraft squadrons, one Poseidon MRA1 squadron, and an RAF Regiment squadron. Typhoon squadrons are 1(F), 2(AC), 6 and 9(B). The P8 Poseidon squadrons are CXX and 201.

We have a special action packed debut visit, from a disastrous fuel leak from a Typhoon (I use fuel leak which doesn't do it justice, just watch the footage, it is shockingly scary), two F35B's from RAF Marham arrive to see Sqn Ldr T Coningsby, which had to avoid a birdstrike. One of the F35s skilfully avoided the worse by dodging the birds. We were also given a treat to watch three Typhoons from the Covesea Lighthouse!

We also have some special bonus footage at the end from our journey home. We stopped very briefly at RAF Kirknewton and Retford (Gamston) Airport! Enjoy

There is so much history connected to Lossie. The station opened in May 1939, with the first flying unit being 15 Flying Training Squadron. The first Station Commander was Group Captain P E Maitland MVO AFC RAF.

Following the outbreak of World War Two and the increase in tempo, 20 Operational Training Unit became the major unit on base, utilising satellite airfields at Bogs O’Mayne, Milltown and Brackla.

RAF Lossiemouth became a staging location for Anti-Shipping missions, including the famous raid against the German u-boat Tirpitz, involving IX (Bomber) and 617 Squadrons.

In 1946 the Fleet Air Arm took over Lossiemouth and Milltown (HMS Fulmar, or Royal Naval Air Station Lossiemouth). It was during this time that the Station was commanded by Captain Eric "Winkle" Brown, a man who still holds many aviation world records to this day.

With the Defence Review of 1966 the Navy lost its aircraft carriers and in 1972 handed back the Station to the RAF.

Since the early 1970s the RAF used the Buccaneer, Shackleton, Jaguar and Tornado aircraft, both in training roles and operationally at Lossiemouth.

The Station has been involved in many modern conflicts, including both Gulf conflicts and Afghanistan. In addition, the RAF Regiment is deployed regularly from Lossiemouth.

Between June 2011 and March 2014 14 Squadron, 12 (Bomber) Squadron and 617 Squadron ‘The Dambusters’ were disbanded. The Tornado era ended at RAF Lossiemouth in March 2017 when XV (Reserve) Squadron disbanded.

In 2013/14, 1 (Fighter) Squadron and 6 Squadron relocated to Moray from RAF Leuchars as the Station prepared to become a Typhoon main operating base.

II (Army Co-operation) Squadron ‘stood-up’ and relocated to RAF Lossiemouth in January 2015. D Flight, 202 Squadron, Search And Rescue disbanded in April 2015. The Strategic Defence and Security Review 2015 announced the future basing of P-8A Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft at RAF Lossiemouth.

From September 2014 RAF Lossiemouth’s primary role has been the provision of Quick Reaction Alert (Interceptor) North. QRA maintains aircraft and crews on high alert in order to scramble and intercept unidentified aircraft approaching UK airspace. This is a duty that has been maintained by the RAF on a 24/7 basis for decades.

In 2019, IX (Bomber) Squadron was re-roled from flying Tornado at RAF Marham, to Typhoon at RAF Lossiemouth. This meant RAF Lossiemouth was home to four front-line Typhoon Squadrons.

With the formation of CXX Squadron at RAF Lossiemouth, the Station took delivery of two of its nine P-8A Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft. The Pride of Moray (ZP801) and the City of Elgin (ZP802) touched down at Kinloss Barracks in February and March of 2020 respectively. ZP802 made its debut at RAF Lossiemouth in October 2020, closely followed by ZP801 and ZP803.

ICAO: EGQS

#raf #lossie #aviation #raflossiemouth

Special thanks to Iain Rollo for the photo of the fuel leak


Check out our website for official Ted Coningsby merchandise and for more info:
https://tedconingsby.co.uk

Ted Social stuff
Instagram
  / ted_coningsby  
Facebook
  / tedconingsbyuk  
Twitter
  / tedconingsby  
www.tedconingsby.co.uk

Ted Coningsby Membership:
Join our channel to get access to members only perks. In reality, we rely on your subscriptions to keep our channel growing, so this is a MASSIVE help and thank you to ALL of you who have subscribed. We go all over the country to get the footage we need for you to enjoy but this comes at a cost. You membership will help fund us with the fuel and the equipment we need...
   / tedconingsby