RN Airbasing

I wouldn’t choose Lossiemouth as military bases act as a form of subsidy, and the Scottish have received more than their fair share from the Labour party during the Brown/Bliar years, so deserve a lot less now to even it out. There is also the independence issue to consider.

I agree that Yeovilton makes the most sense, though I don’t think the RAF would much like it.

Yeap John Reid selected Lossiemouth for the F-35B basing when he was defence minister (spot the jock bias when 3 english bases were to loose the Harrier !)

Given the SDSR and the restructuring i suspect it will be Marham as the F-35C is seen as Tornado replacement now.

Its always possible we may see a flight at Yeovilton, it depends on if the MOD decide to have a more carrier orientated training facility and permament use of the RN of part of the F-35 fleet as the JFH wasn’t all that successful

Actually, Marham would make a lot of practical sense as the operational base. That being said, I wouldn’t be surprised if the RAF is a lot less cooperative once they actually enter service.

Now what a shame they dont base them at Lyneham!! would make me happy to see the base stay open. but would cost to much to set up as a fighter base:diablo:

I’m going to quote myself now Geoff_B is answer to your idea:

Originally Posted by Fedaykin
The MOD will want all the maintenance facilities, simulators, training aids and airframes to be in one place to maximise cost savings. There is a good chance that will mean an RAF base.

Operating out of Marham (if chosen) and Yeovilton only ends up increasing costs. Operating out of one base maximises the value gained out of the equipment purchased. Or pilots and ground crew housed in one base end up traveling 235 miles to use the facilities of the other. There is no chance whatsoever the MOD will pay for two sets of synthetic training aids and simulators plus duplicating maintenance resources.

Also if the RAF is going to be the surge element of the F35C for carrier operations it makes a significant amount of sense keeping them on the same base.

Now whilst in support of carrier operations using a base in the South West close to carriers operating base is helpful it isn’t a disaster if they end up in Norfolk, ours is a small country and the F35C is very much a jet allowing quick transit to the South coast. An IFLOLS sight at Marham along with the new generation simulators will allow the same kind of workup. The main pain will be moving the spares about.

Yeap John Reid selected Lossiemouth for the F-35B basing when he was defence minister (spot the jock bias when 3 english bases were to loose the Harrier !)

Given the SDSR and the restructuring i suspect it will be Marham as the F-35C is seen as Tornado replacement now.

Its always possible we may see a flight at Yeovilton, it depends on if the MOD decide to have a more carrier orientated training facility and permament use of the RN of part of the F-35 fleet as the JFH wasn’t all that successful

The MOD will want all the maintenance facilities, simulators, training aids and airframes to be in one place to maximise cost savings. There is a good chance that will mean an RAF base.

The base would need a mobile IFLOLS to allow touch and go training to be performed from the runway but don’t expect arresting gear or a catapult for the base.

Agreed. I’d heard the RAF ruled out RNAS Yeovilton (the most logical and sensible base) several years ago, basically on the grounds that it wasn’t an RAF base (some other flimsy excuses were given at the time…) and they were trying to hang on to whatever bases they still had. Most likely base for the F-35Cs (if it is still there when the time comes) is RAF Lossiemouth (formerly RNAS…) but I wouldn’t be surprised if Marham gets the job. Politics will have a greater say in the decision than sense or suitability, that’s for sure.:mad:

The MOD will want all the maintenance facilities, simulators, training aids and airframes to be in one place to maximise cost savings. There is a good chance that will mean an RAF base.

The base would need a mobile IFLOLS to allow touch and go training to be performed from the runway but don’t expect arresting gear or a catapult for the base.

Even without the F-35Cs (don’t hold your breathe about them being based at Heron, not if the crabs have any say in the matter!), the two bases are the minimum necessary to support the present and future helicopter strength of the FAA. There’s more to RN air bases than SAR as well…

Question. Has the decision to base the F-35s at Yeovilton been made? I expected that to be the decision, but I hadn’t seen it happen.

Serious answer – what would be the advantage? You still have 2 bases to support, and yeovilton is perfectly capable of supporting both

Non-serious answer – you are asking senior officers to make more frequent trips to the dark and dangerous wastelands of Cornwall (with a large increase in travel time). No chance

Now were Culdrose to have its old carrier training facilities replaced by something appropriate to F35 and QEC then a rather different re-basing might be appropriate