The Defence White Paper, 'Delivering Security in a Changing World:
Future Capabilities' issued in July 2004, highlighted the need to modernise the UK's Armed Forces and to enhance their contribution to expeditionary operations.
2. Typhoon will provide a versatile multi-role capability that will replace the less-flexible single-role aircraft we operate today.
Equipped with a range of modern stand-off, precision weapons, these aircraft will provide much greater capability in all roles. Following the formation event at RAF Cottesmore today the squadron will be based at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire.
3. Today's changes in detail:
a. RAF Coltishall in Norfolk will close as an operational flying station, and No. 6 Sqn's Jaguar aircraft will transfer to RAF Coningsby. No 41(F) Sqn will hand over its standard to the Fast Jet & Weapons Operational Evaluation Unit also based at Coningsby in Lincolnshire. This will mark the end of operational flying at RAF Coltishall, which is one of the last remaining Battle of Britain Fighter Units.
b. Simultaneously, RAF Stafford and RAF Sealand will close and their assets will transfer to the'hubs' at RAF Wittering and RAF Leeming.
c. Expeditionary Air Wings (EAW) are being established to support operations. Nine EAW will be formed at 9 Main Operation Bases - RAF Coningsby, RAF Cottesmore, RAF Kinloss, RAF Leeming, RAF Leuchars, RAF Lossiemouth, RAF Lyneham, RAF Marham and RAF Waddington.
d. The Strike Command Headquarters is being streamlined from three RAF Groups to two, which will reduce management and administrative overheads and release more resources to the front line.
e. RAF Force Protection elements are being enhanced by integrating the RAF Regiment and the RAF Police to deliver a full range of capability from policing and security (including dogs) to close combat.
DT_Xtremez_42: