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From IX to XII

Bob Franklin reports from RAF Leeming on yet another squadron disbandment

Following hard on the heels of the disbandment of 10 Squadron earlier in October, XI(F) Squadron disbanded too on the last day of the month. For the first time in a long while, the RAF's order of battle now goes straight from IX(B) Squadron to XII Squadron, with two low and historic numbers missing. But, unlike 10 Squadron, XI(F) Squadron's absence should be relatively short-lived, as it is due to become the second fully operational Typhoon squadron, re-forming at Coningsby in late 2006.

Making the last official landing for XI(F) Squadron as a Tornado squadron were Flt Lts Ian Eao and John Cockroft

Eagles flight

To commemorate the passing of the Tornado F3, the type it has flown since 1988, a parade and flypast was held on a dull and dismal Monday 31 October, with flagship ZE887 and the squadron's Lightning F6, freshly painted, as a backdrop. A diamond-nine formation had been flown the previous Friday, visiting some of the squadron's future and previous haunts, such as Coningsby, Cranwell, Leuchars, Boulmer, Teesside, Linton-on-Ouse and back to Leeming, although sadly missing was a flypast over its previous operational base, the remains of Binbrook.

Most of the flying crew and some of the Tornados will be transferred to an enlarged 25 Squadron, which will remain as the sole Tornado squadron at Leeming. With 100 Squadron expected to relocate to Scampton in the not-too-distant future, Leeming will look for another role when 25 Squadron disbands, probably mid-2007 when 6 Squadron transfers to Typhoon and 3 and 11 Squadrons will be at full operational capability in the air-to-air role.

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