RAF Lossiemouth in Moray, north-east Scotland is one of two RAF Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) stations which protect UK airspace.
Team Lossie is made up of four Typhoon combat aircraft squadrons, three Poseidon MRA1 squadrons, and an RAF Regiment squadron.
RAF Lossiemouth personnel and aircraft also support operations worldwide and host numerous national and international exercises.
Group Captain Jim 'Rosie' Lee was appointed Station Commander RAF Lossiemouth in July 2022.
He joined the Royal Air Force in 1998 and after beginning his frontline flying career on the Jaguar he completed an exchange tour in the USA, spending 3 years flying the F16CJ. On return to the UK he was posted to the growing Typhoon Force and previous tours have included RAF Coningsby, the Pentagon, NASOC and Operations Shader and Biloxi.
RAF Lossiemouth opened in May 1939, with the first flying unit being 15 Flying Training Squadron. Following the outbreak of World War Two, 20 Operational Training Unit became the major unit on base.
RAF Lossiemouth became a staging location for Anti-Shipping missions, including the famous raid against the German battleship Tirpitz, involving IX (Bomber) and 617 Squadrons. In 1946 the Fleet Air Arm took over Lossiemouth and Milltown. The station was handed back to the RAF in 1972 and since then the RAF used the Buccaneer, Shackleton, Jaguar and Tornado aircraft, both in training roles and operationally at Lossiemouth.
Between June 2011 and March 2014 14 Squadron, 12 (Bomber) Squadron and 617 Squadron ‘The Dambusters’ were disbanded. The Tornado era ended at RAF Lossiemouth had ended.
In 2013/14, 1 (Fighter) Squadron and 6 Squadron relocated to Moray from RAF Leuchars as the Station prepared to become a Typhoon main operating base. II (Army Co-operation) Squadron ‘stood-up’ and relocated to RAF Lossiemouth in January 2015. The Strategic Defence and Security Review 2015 announced the future basing of P-8A Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft at RAF Lossiemouth.
From September 2014 RAF Lossiemouth’s primary role has been the provision of Quick Reaction Alert (Interceptor) North. QRA maintains aircraft and crews on high alert in order to scramble and intercept unidentified aircraft approaching UK airspace.
In 2019, IX (Bomber) Squadron was re-roled from flying Tornado at RAF Marham, to Typhoon at RAF Lossiemouth. This meant RAF Lossiemouth was home to four front-line Typhoon Squadrons. Since then, the station has been home to the P-8A Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft with 9 aircraft and CXX and 201 Squadron calling RAF Lossiemouth home.
1939 Station opened as a RAF training base with 15 Flying Training School as the first unit.
1939 - 1945 Home to a number of units operating in Anti-Shipping roles, including IX(B) Squadron and 617 Squadron who launched the famous raid against Tirpitz.
1946 Became HMS Fulmar (Royal Naval Air Station Lossiemouth) as part of the Fleet Air Arm.
1967 - 1970 Commanded by the famous Captain Eric "Winkle" Brown, the most decorated pilot in the history of the Royal Navy, who still holds many world records to this day.
1972 Reverted to RAF control, becoming RAF Lossiemouth once again. Search and Rescue helicopters from 202 Squadron, along with Jaguars from 226 Squadron begin operating from the Station. They are soon joined by Shackleton AEW aircraft from 8 Squadron.
1978 48 Squadron RAF Regiment move to RAF Lossiemouth, equipped with the Rapier surface-to-air missile system.
1979 2622 (Highland) Royal Air Force Auxiliary Regiment form at RAF Lossiemouth, providing a dedicated ground defence capability.
1980 12 Squadron move north from RAF Honington, where they operate the Buccaneer from RAF Lossiemouth. They are joined in 1983 by 208 Squadron.
1991 All three Buccaneer squadrons based at RAF Lossiemouth are involved in Operation Granby in the First Gulf War.
1993 12 Squadron begins operating the Tornado GR1B from RAF Lossiemouth.
1999 15(R) Squadron begins operating from RAF Lossiemouth as the Tornado GR4 Operational Conversion Unit (OCU).
2001 51 Squadron RAF Regiment is re-established, joining 2622 (Highland) RAuxAF Squadron, under 5 Force Protection Wing Headquarters.
2011 It was announced that QRA(I)N would move from RAF Leuchars to RAF Lossiemouth.
2014 QRA(I)N permanently moved to RAF Lossiemouth, with 6 Squadron moving in June 2014, 1(F) Squadron moving in September 2014, and II(AC) Squadron moving in January 2015.
2015 RAF Lossiemouth Mountain Rescue Team moves from Kinloss to Lossiemouth.
2019 IX(B) Squadron was formally re-roled from Tornado at RAF Marham to Typhoon at RAF Lossiemouth.
2020 Our runway resurfacing programme began, and as a result the first Poseidon MRA1 touched down on UK soil at Kinloss Barracks in February, closely followed by the second in March. October saw ZP801, 802, and 803 arrive at RAF Lossiemouth for the first time, where they have operated from since.
2021 The runway resurfacing programme is expected to be completed in the middle of 2021, with more of the Poseidon fleet arriving. 201 Squadron will be stood up, marking another milestone in the programme.
