RAF Leeming
From Free net encyclopedia
RAF Leeming is a Royal Air Force station in North Yorkshire, England.
It opened in 1940 as bomber base during World War II. Following the war, it functioned as a training base until 1988 when it reopened as a frontline air defence base armed with Tornado F3s.
Until October 2005, it housed two Tornado squadrons, which were half of the fighter squadrons of the RAF. Only one Tornado squadron remains, which is also scheduled to disband in 2008. In addition there is a BAe Hawk squadron based at the station which provides an air combat training service.
Currently Leeming is one of the two UK air defence bases, the other being RAF Leuchars in Fife, Scotland. RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire will take over from Leeming as England's main air defence base by 2008 when 3 Sqn becomes operational with the Eurofighter Typhoon. The future of RAF Leeming following the disbandment of it's remaining Tornado squadron is not clear at present, however the UK Ministry of Defence has pledged that it will remain in MOD hands, possibly moving to Army ownership.