UK In Action: Typhoon Takeoff

A Royal Air Force Typhoon aircraft takes off from RAF Coningsby for its new home at RAF Leuchars in Scotland, after achieving full operational readiness. Number 6 Squadron are the first Typhoon fighter squadron in Scotland, and will be based Royal Air Force Leuchars. The Typhoon is the RAF’s state of the art multi-role combat aircraft that entered operational service in 2007. The occasion was marked with a ceremony which involved the presentation of the Squadron’s Standard to the Officer Commanding. On 11 September the Squadron’s Standard was paraded for the Chief of the Air Staff, accompanied by an iconic flypast, to mark the beginning of the RAF Leuchars Airshow and celebrate the reformation of the Squadron. Number 6 Squadron are the first of three Typhoon squadrons planned to be based at RAF Leuchars. The Squadron will continue to build up and train over the next few months and will ultimately consist of approximately 200 people; many of whom are originally from Scotland. The Squadron will take over responsibility for providing the northern element of the Quick Reaction Alert force in March 2011, providing aircraft and crews on high alert to scramble and intercept unidentified aircraft approaching UK airspace.

Image: UK MoD

By: Widow 6-7