Kinloss Barracks used to be an RAF base until 2012, but now lacks the normal safeguards and controls associated with an air base (Picture: RAF)

RAF

RAF trials back-up base as Typhoons and Poseidons operate from Kinloss on Ex Soaring Eagle

Personnel from RAF Lossiemouth have been testing their ability to operate their aircraft from austere environments.

The Typhoons and P-8 Poseidons were moved to Kinloss Barracks to test their ability to carry out missions from alternative locations.

Exercise Soaring Eagle is part of the RAF's resilience plan – if the aircraft's own base along the Moray coast became inoperable, then Kinloss is from where the planes stationed at RAF Lossiemouth would have to operate.

Squadron Leader Peter Armitage said: "Kinloss Barracks has not routinely been used by aircraft for over five years and all the safeguards and controls normally associated with the main operating base do not exist.

"As such, our work has focused on bringing an austere environment up to the standards where we can operate maritime patrol and fast jet aircraft from.

"We have brought an austere environment up to a standard where we can fly, fight and win from."

Sappers from the Royal Engineers made sure Kinloss was safe to use before the first of the P-8s came in to land (Picture: RAF)

It is the first time RAF aircraft have used the airfield at Kinloss in five years.

The first of the P-8 Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft were temporarily based at the barracks when upgrades were being made to RAF Lossiemouth.

Tactical Air Traffic Control teams were dispatched to work alongside soldiers from 39 Engineer Regiment to set up equipment and ensure the runway was functional for an aircraft landing within 24 hours.

Lossiemouth works to protect the UK and its allies from threats from the sky - and below the waves (Picture: RAF Lossiemouth) — Lossiemouth works to protect the UK and its allies from threats from the sky – and below the waves (Picture: RAF Lossiemouth)

RAF Lossiemouth is one of two RAF Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) stations which protect UK airspace.

It hosts four Typhoon combat aircraft squadrons, three Poseidon MRA1 squadrons, an RAF Regiment squadron and a Royal Auxiliary Air Force Regiment reserve squadron.

Lossiemouth personnel and aircraft also support operations worldwide and host numerous national and international exercises.

Kinloss Barrack – formerly RAF Kinloss – is now home to 39 Engineer Regiment.

The sappers offer specialist air support engineering, as well as a composite of combat engineer and artisan trade skills, making them a versatile, flexible and highly deployable asset to the RAF and the Army.