BLACKEAGLE
SENIOR MEMBER
The fifth and final UK Royal Air Force (RAF) Eurofighter Typhoon combat aircraft squadron is to stand up next month, completing the United Kingdom's Typhoon force structure.
According to an RAF spokesman, II (Army Co-operation - AC) Squadron will reform at RAF Lossiemouth in northeast Scotland on 9 January to operate the Typhoon.
There had been some uncertainty over the RAF's roll-out of its final Typhoon squadron after the UK government decided in October to retain II (AC) Squadron in service as a Tornado GR.4 unit for another year. It had previously been announced in December 2013 that the squadron would begin converting to the Typhoon in early 2015.
The RAF representative told IHS Jane's on 5 December that a new plan had been devised to allow the Typhoon Force expansion to continue on schedule.
"This decision ensures the long history and name of No II (AC) Squadron continues far into the RAF's future," said the spokesman. "The Tornado squadron currently bearing that number plate will stand up with the dormant number plate of 12 (Bomber) Squadron with effect from 9 January 2015. The changes of name will take place whilst current personnel are at RAF Marham and are not engaged in operations."
Final UK Typhoon squadron to stand up - IHS Jane's 360