RAF colours come down at Kinloss airfield

[1938 Observer]

There's an old saying, "When one door closes, another door opens". this is certainly the case here, Kinloss will be still be sustained by a defence element in their locality.:cool:

26 July 2012 Last updated at 11:08 GMT
.RAF colours come down at Kinloss airfield
The RAF has had a presence at the base for more than 70 years The RAF colours have come down for the last time at Kinloss, as the Moray airfield was handed over to the army.

The 39 Engineer Regiment has taken over the base, ending its 73-year association with the air force.

A small private ceremony was organised to mark the transition to Kinloss Barracks.

The engineer regiment has been based at Waterbeach near Cambridge. By October, 716 personnel will have moved to Kinloss.

The army unit's move to Moray has been welcomed in the area.

It faced serious economic losses because of the reduction in the RAF's presence.

When the decision was announced Jim Royan, chairman of the Moray Economic Partnership, said: "The RAF has been at the heart of our Kinloss community for 70 years and we wish those who are leaving the very best.

"But we are delighted to welcome the men and women of 39 Engineers who are coming to Moray and they will find a warm welcome at their new home."


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotlan...tland-18991618

[1938 Observer]

Re: RAF colours come down at Kinloss airfield

Open in Media Player To Download this program click here

The end of an era has been reached in North East Scotland.

The RAF has left RAF Kinloss for the final time.

After 73 years, the RAF’s presence at RAF Kinloss draws to a close.

The few remaining air force personnel stand alongside the new tenants of the base – the Army.

Accompanied by the Kinloss Pipes and Drums, the RAF Ensign is lowered for the final time.

It has been home to the Royal Airforce since 1939.

Following the war, Shackleton’s began what the base will be primarily remembered for Maritime surveillance operations – vital during the cold war.

In 1970, the base began flying Nimrod, a duty continued until 2010, when plans for the MR4a variant were scrapped, along with the planes.

The runways of RAF Kinloss stand silent now and fears spread the base would be lost altogether but November last year brought new hope– it was announced 39 Engineer Regiment would move in. Their flag was raised today.

39 Engineer Regiment are the only regular air support regiment in the army – often deployed to repair damaged airfields.

The runways of Kinloss enable appropriate training opportunities:

39 Engineer Regiment is moving from Waterbeach in Cambridgeshire – and at first many personnel were not keen on living north of the border but many seem to be settling in.

For others, like Sgt Iain Walker, the move north is something of a homecoming.

Forres is the nearest market town to the former RAF Kinloss. While sad the RAF are gone, most locals are relieved the base lives on.

With several empty shops, and tough economic times, business owners, like Jeweller Kim Alexandra view the Army presence as essential.

RAF Kinloss is no more – but Kinloss Barracks begins – one chapter of Military history closes, but another can now be written.

http://www.bfbs.com/news/scotland/en...oss-59326.html

there is also a news video at the link

[1938 Observer]

Re: RAF colours come down at Kinloss airfield

[1938 Observer]

Re: RAF colours come down at Kinloss airfield

It looks like the Army presence is sustaining the local community since it changed from a RAF operational base.

Army base boost for Moray traders


By Kaye Nicolson

Published: 01/12/2012

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NEW ERA: 39 Engineer Regiment marched into the former RAF Kinloss base in July The Army was last night credited with saving a Moray community from becoming a “ghost town”.

Since 39 Engineer Regiment marched into the former Kinloss airbase in July, business has boomed for local traders.

But their presence is also being felt in the wider area – which has been hailed as clear evidence that the engineers are embracing their new home. Pearl Hamilton, chairwoman of the Moray and Keith branch of the Federation of Small Businesses, said firms as far afield as Buckie had noted visits from the recent arrivals




http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/3032112

[1938 Observer]

Re: RAF colours come down at Kinloss airfield

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Moray traders are enjoying a boost from Engineer's move to Kinloss

Traders throughout Moray are beginning to feel the benefits of having the Army in their midst since the first ever Royal Engineer unit in Scotland arrived at Kinloss.

That is the view being expressed by business representatives throughout the region who are saying that 39 Engineer Regiment's arrival at the former Nimrod air base is providing a massive boost to the economy.

When the Ministry of Defence announced the closure of RAF Kinloss and placed the future of RAF Lossiemouth under serious threat two years ago it was an immediate wake-up call for the region.

After many years of reliance on the RAF there was a realisation that as well as saving the military bases the Moray economy had to diversify away from its over-dependency on the armed forces.

Following fierce local campaigning RAF Lossiemouth's future was secured, 39 Engineer Regiment was deployed to what is now Kinloss Barracks and local political and business leaders have worked together to create a more secure economic pathway for Moray.

Pearl Hamilton, who is chair of the Moray and Keith branch of the Federation of Small Businesses, has said that increased business after the Army's arrival has surprised many small shop owners.

She said: "They seem to be using smaller businesses which is absolutely fantastic. Maybe they are glad to be in a rural situation, but both retail and leisure are seeing an impact.

"We are really encouraged by it - and long may it continue."

Mrs Hamilton added that there is evidence shops as far away from the base as Buckie area noting regular visits from the troops and their families. It is, however, businesses nearest the base that are now seeing the biggest impact coming from Army personnel. Phil Breed, landlord of the Abbey Inn which is just outside the camp perimeter, told the Press and Journal: "When they first arrived business went through the roof for the first month or so.

"It's a learning curve for them and for us, but we have made really good friends and there is a core of them that come in all the time. Friday nights are busy and Saturday nights are busier than they used to be."

A staff officer for 39 Engineer Regiment, Sel Williams, said: "We have experienced a very warm welcome to Moray and our families are already saying what a great place it is."

.More stories and photographs at the link http://local.stv.tv/forres/news/arme...ve-to-kinloss/

[Alastair]

Re: RAF colours come down at Kinloss airfield

A most encouraging report and thanks for sharing.

Alastair