Lorraine Kelly flew the flag for RAF Leuchars' future as she started the countdown to
Armed Forces Day.

The TV presenter and long-time supporter of the Fife air base flew from Leuchars to Edinburgh —
which is this year's host for the event to honour servicemen and women — to fire the One O'Clock
Gun.

Before she took off aboard a search and rescue helicopter from RAF Boulmer, she urged the
government to "see sense" and retain both RAF Leuchars and RAF Lossiemouth.

Highlighting the "devastating" impact withdrawal of the air force from Fife would have, she told The
Courier, "It's hugely important that RAF Leucha rs is maintained, not just for the people who work
here but for the community.

"I have a huge, huge affection for RAF Leuchars. I have been going to the air show for years and I
was lucky enough to be taken up in a Tornado three years ago — that was the highlight of my life.
It's really important that all of us get behind both Leuchars and Lossiemouth".

"Unfortunately the armed forces aren't allowed to campaign themselves, but we can campaign
on their behalf. The right decision is for both bases to stay. Hopefully, the government will see
sense."

Lorraine was winched down to Calton Hill from the helicopter and ordered across an assault
course before firing the famous gun and raising the flag for Armed Forces Day.

The full article can be read in The Courier 18th June 2011

Members of the Residents’ Action Force in Leuchars have rolled out banners across the Kingdom in the campaign to Keep the RAF in Leuchars.
Members of the Residents’ Action Force in Leuchars have rolled out banners across the Kingdom in the campaign to Keep the RAF in Leuchars. 

From left to right: Ted Brocklebank; Cllr Tim Brett; Patricia Johnston, headteacher Leuchars Primary; Cllr Margaret Taylor; Former Air Marshall, St Peter Bairstow, Cllr Ron Caird, Vice-Chair Carroll Finnie and Stephen Westwood, Institute of Directors

FOLLOWING endorsement by Scotland’s First Minister, MSPs and Opposition Party leaders, Fife’s economic and defence case for the retention of RAF Leuchars has now been submitted to the UK’s Secretary of State for Defence, Dr Liam Fox MP.

A delegation from Leuchars Community Campaign Group and Fife Council met with First Minister, Alex Salmond at the Scottish Parliament yesterday, (Thursday 27 January) to present the report.

Speaking at the RAF base in Leuchars, where the report was being couriered off to London, Fife Council Leader, Councillor Peter Grant said: “Feedback from yesterday’s meeting with the First Minister was very positive and the cross-party endorsement of this submission is a clear signal of the importance of and commitment to retaining RAF Leuchars in Fife.

“The strategic location of RAF Leuchars means it can provide a rapid response to air threats. It has a key role in delivering and maintaining UK Quick Action Alert (Interceptor) North, requiring aircraft to be on constant high alert to scramble and intercept unidentified aircraft approaching UK airspace.”

He added: “RAF Leuchars supports 1900 direct and indirect jobs contributing around £60 million of income annually to the Fife economy. The population of Leuchars has seen rapid growth in recent years. Any closure would impact significantly on the local economy with a knock-on effect to wider services leading to business closures and job losses.”

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