RAF squadron switches base

The squadron will be stationed in Fife

An RAF squadron is moving to a defence base in Scotland as part of an internal reorganisation.

Air force chiefs say the local economy will receive a huge boost when the 500 service and civilian staff of 56 (Reserve) Squadron move to the RAF Leuchars base at St Andrews next year.

The squadron, currently based at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire, will be the third to be stationed at the Fife base.

The operational conversion unit will be working to train pilots and navigators for the air force's front-line Tornado FMk 3 jet squadrons, including the 43 and 111 Squadrons based at Leuchars.

The move, which is set to take place in April 2003, is part of an internal reorganisation of the Royal Air Force.

A spokesman said it would mean an enlargement of the base community as families moved into the area and there would be increased demand on goods and services.

Leuchars became a fighter command station after WWII and is now an RAF air defence bases.