RAF Lossiemouth | #ArmedForcesWeek - #MaritimeMonday

This Armed Forces Week (22nd-28th June), we will be celebrating all of our personnel who contribute to securing the seas and skies of the UK and our Allied Nations.

And what better way to kick-start the week than with a #MaritimeMonday post, celebrating RAF Lossiemouth's longstanding contribution to maritime reconnaissance and search-and-rescue

‘The Submarine Hunters’
RAF Lossiemouth currently is home to three Poseidon Squadrons, and a Tactical Operations Centre, who work with the P-8 aircraft. Commonly referred to in the press as a “submarine hunter”, the P-8’s capabilities are endless, with our personnel conducting surveillance, reconnaissance, and various activities to protect the North Sea and beyond.

"Ensuring we're fit to fly"
But no aircraft can take to the skies without the work of those behind-the-scenes. The P8 and Wedgetail Line Squadron utilise their engineering skills and knowledge to ensure the aircraft are mission-ready and fit-to-fly. Regularly joining our aircrew on exercises and operations, it cannot be understated the importance of these engineers in ensuring our Squadrons can conduct their maritime activities.

"Out-of-office"
RAF Lossiemouth doesn’t just contribute to maritime protection when we are “on the clock”. Many personnel volunteer their spare time to search-and-rescue charities such as the RNLI and the Coastguard.

So, after a shift at RAF Lossiemouth contributing to their country's defence, these volunteers will head home and be on-call to assist with anyone in need of help or rescue in the Moray Firth. It is a testament to our serving personnel’s character when they spend their paid and unpaid time protecting others and ensuring their safety.

"Looking to the past…"
We can’t talk about rescue efforts at sea without mentioning a certain… "old friend". Many long-time Moray citizens will remember the familiar sound of propellors as a yellow blip moved through the sky towards the North Sea or Cairngorms, conducting rescue operations and wowing aviation enthusiasts (and non-enthusiasts) with it's vibrant colour that brightened our (often) dreary skies.

The ‘Sea-King’ search-and-rescue helicopter (operated by 202 Sqn) was a part of RAF Lossiemouth for over 40 years. During that time the crews onboard saved countless individuals stuck at sea or in the mountains, and, when not on ops, entertained many with their flypasts at local events (anyone remember the raft race?).

"And the future."
No. 8 Squadron have returned to RAF Lossiemouth after disembarking following the retirement of the Shackleton's in July 1991. This influx of personnel and the opening of new facilities are all in preparation for the much-anticipated arrival of the E-7 Wedgetail later this year. The re-introduction of AEW aircraft to RAF Lossiemouth only furthers our operational capabilities over the North Sea, and makes us eager to see what the future holds for Lossiemouth's contributions to maritime protection.

We thank all our serving personnel, past and present, who ensure we can take the skies to protect our seas.