Emotional day for RAF Kinloss

RAF Kinloss was the scene of an emotional farewell yesterday as the station’s three air squadrons were disbanded.Hundreds of invited guests rose from their seats in a spontaneous round of applause as airmen from 42 (Reserve), 120 and 201 Squadrons marched passed the Duke of Edinburgh, Honorary Air Commodore of RAF Kinloss, who took the salute.As the band played Auld Lang Syne many service personnel and civilians reached for tissues to wipe away their tears.In an effort to ensure his attendance at the disbandment parade, amid fears the volcanic ash cloud could ground flights into and out of Scotland, The Duke took an overnight journey in the royal train from England to Kingussie arriving at the Highland station yesterday morning.He made an impromptu walk along the rows of guests, taking his time to chat with people before leaving Kinloss.Station commander Group Captain JJ Johnston admitted he had felt the bittersweet emotion of the occasion.He said: "It took me significant effort to hold back the tears."But the tears were for other things - sadness and pride."And how people who have been dealt such a cruel blow last October could behave with such professionalism, dignity and majesty that was second to none."The death knell was sounded for the Moray base when the coalition government took the decision to scrap the Nimrod MRA4 programme.The airfield at Kinloss will cease to operate from 31 July this year and the station will close as an RAF station by the end of March 2013.