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RAF Lossiemouth supports MSP fact finding mission

RAF Lossiemouth welcomed representatives of the Scottish Parliament to the UK’s most northerly fast jet fighter station today, Thursday, 27 July 2017.

The Presiding Officer, Members and Officials headed to the Moray better understand the range of social and welfare policies and how these affect armed forces families.

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MSPs have already visited the Army’s Glencorse Barracks in Penicuik in June, and a visit to the Navy’s Royal Marine Commando site in Arbroath is planned for November.

Air Officer Scotland, Air Vice-Marshal Ross Paterson said:

“Our Parliamentary visitors will hear how RAF Lossiemouth’s Quick Reaction Alert interceptors help protect the nation’s airspace, and discover how £400m is being invested on site to make us ready for the arrival of our new Maritime Patrol Aircraft fleet, beginning in 2020."

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“Most importantly, they will meet with our people and their families, including visiting our Childcare Centre, to better understand the particular needs of service families."

“This is an opportunity to showcase the contribution of the RAF in Scotland to both national security and also how we contribute to Scotland’s Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) agenda through our schools’ outreach programme.”

During their visit the Parliamentary group visited Typhoon flight simulators and aircraft, a parachute simulator and found out about the work of the RAF’s mountain rescue team.

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Led by the Scottish Parliament’s Presiding Officer, Ken McIntosh MSP, and chief executive, Sir Paul Grice, the attending MSPs were:

  • Bill Bowman, Con, North East Scotland
  • Finlay Carson, Con, Galloway and West Dumfries
  • Jackson Carlaw, Con, Eastwood
  • Jamie Green, Con, West Scotland
  • Daniel Johnson, Lab, Edinburgh Southern
  • Richard Lochhead, SNP, Moray
  • Lewis MacDonald, Lab, North East Scotland
  • Graham Simpson, Lab, Central Scotland

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