The Scottish National Party (SNP) is calling for the Secretary of State for Defence Liam Fox to clarify the future of RAF Tornado squadrons which may be reprieved from MoD cuts. Westminster SNP Leader Angus Robertson MP who represents the Tornado base at RAF Lossiemouth warned that less than a week remains for the MoD to reverse its decision and that service personnel and their families should be told what is going on.For immediate use: Sunday 10th April
Attn: NEWSDESKS
SNP CALLS FOR CLARITY ON RAF SQUADRON REPRIEVE
WESTMINSTER SNP LEADER WRITES TO LIAM FOX
The Scottish National Party (SNP) is calling for the Secretary of State
for Defence Liam Fox to clarify the future of RAF Tornado squadrons which may be reprieved from MoD cuts. Westminster SNP Leader Angus Robertson MP who represents the Tornado base at RAF Lossiemouth warned that less than a week remains for the MoD to reverse its decision and that service personnel and their families should be told what is going on.
14 Squadron based at RAF Lossiemouth and XIII Squadron based at RAF Marham are scheduled for disbandment, but both are reportedly under consideration for an extension owing to stretched operational commitments. The last flying day scheduled for 14 Squadron at RAF Lossiemouth is Friday 15th April 2010.
According to media reports disbandment ceremonies at RAF Lossiemouth have now been cancelled.
In his letter to Secretary of State Liam Fox, the Westminster SNP Leader
and Defence spokesman Angus Robertson MP wrote:
“Given the tempo of operational requirements, including United Nations
commitments over Libya, it is correct for the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to
consider the retention of both 14 Squadron and XIII Squadron.
“You will be aware that 14 Squadron is scheduled to have its last flying
day at RAF Lossiemouth on Friday 15th April 2010 and a formal disbandment parade was scheduled for Tuesday 19th April 2010.
“This leaves less than a week for the MoD to reconsider the disbandment.
Given that I am unable to question you in the House of Commons owing to
the parliamentary recess, I would be grateful if you could urgently confirm what consideration is being given to both 14 Squadron and XIII Squadron?
“Please could you also confirm that 14 Squadrons is the most senior squadron scheduled for early disbandment, and that this would be a factor in considerations about a reprieve?
Speaking about the urgent situation Angus Robertson MP said:
“Time is running out for the MoD to give proper consideration to a reprieve for 14 Squadron. Ministers cannot put this off and owe it to the air, ground and support personnel of the squadron to reconsider before the disbandment of this senior unit.
BACKGROUND
“The government's recognition that defence cuts are a PR disaster has prompted it to cancel a ceremony to mark the disbanding of 14 Squadron - a Tornado unit - at RAF Lossiemouth. The Ministry of Defence is afraid it would "send the wrong signal"; but the cancellation sends an even more striking signal. Our entire defence cut strategy is a nasty car-crash”.
Scotland on Sunday, Leader Article (pg 18), 10 April 2010
“14 Squadron's last flying day at Lossiemouth will be Friday 15 April, and the formal disbandment parade will take place on Tuesday 19 April. Before the Standard is laid up, we will host a hangar party on Saturday 21 May”.
Military Aircrew Website PPRUNE
http://www.pprune.org/military-aircrew/447985-14-sqn-disbandment.html
ENDS
