Another One Bites the Dust

[Agent Carr]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/7227978.stm

Wonder who it will be 43 or 56. Hopeful 43 survives.

[sniperUK]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/7227978.stm

Wonder who it will be 43 or 56. Hopeful 43 survives.

56 are going it's been common knowledge for quite a while with 43 "super squadron" taking on an operational role and acting as the OCU.

[Agent Carr]

56 are going it's been common knowledge for quite a while with 43 "super squadron" taking on an operational role and acting as the OCU.

Thanks for that, I am not in military circles so have to rely on the press. So that will leave 111 and 43 Leuchars.

[Craig]

Correct, with 6 Sqn to join them eventually with their Typhoons. Sadly with the concept of pooled airframes being banded about it may sadly see the end of the Sqn markings on the F3s too, although I hope not. On a more serious note though, all this seems that it is being done with undue haste. Typhoon has been set back severely by the Saudi deal, so the RAF is going to have to continue operating the F3 for quite a while yet. Bearing this in mind, it seems rather premature to disband the OCU. I can see this being another Jaguar farce... :(

[planejunky]

Oh dear, I do hope that 56 won't be forever consigned to the history books.

I remember 74 Sqn took on the Phantom training role after 228 OCU/64 Sqn disbanded, but the run down of the Phantom force was far more advanced than this. I think we will eventually see the end of squadron markings full stop at this rate, and that will be a miserable day, and finally we'll see completely grey jets. :(

[Pilgrim_uk]

Oh dear, I do hope that 56 won't be forever consigned to the history books.

You never know they might come back as an auxiliary like the good ole 602 which has only been reformed for over a year.

[col]

I see the news is reported in terms of job losses rather than reduction in defence capability. The first is important but the second...apparently not.
Reading in the Times today about the 'new' cold war - this may be more economic than military, but now doesn't seem the time to start reducing military flexibility.