RAF Kinloss' three Nimrod squadrons will be reduced to two

Disappointment has greeted the news that 206 squadron, which was formed during World War I, will cease to exist from 1 April next year.

The move will reduce number of Nimrod aircraft based at RAF Kinloss from 21 to 16.

About 80 aircrew will be affected, although the RAF said most would be relocated.

The cuts were recommended in a defence spending review this summer.

Air crews

Staff at RAF Kinloss were told last month that the Moray base would lose one of its three squadrons of Nimrod aircraft.

The disbanding of 206 squadron, which flies the Nimrod reconnaissance aircraft, was confirmed on Wednesday.

The base will lose five of the aircraft and the number of air crews will be cut from 31 to 22.

A spokeswoman for RAF Kinloss said that the members of 206 squadron had been told the news while on active duty in Iraq.

This is a particularly sad day for me and our squadron, and also for all our associated members who have served on 206 since it was formed in 1916 Wing Commander Robbie Noel Squadron commander

Group Captain Chris Birks, station commander at Kinloss, said he was sorry to lose a squadron which he described as "one of the finest in the RAF".

"Having served on the squadron myself, I know how deeply the squadron members will feel," he said.

"However, throughout the RAF's long history squadrons have disbanded and reformed.

"This is a time of substantial change for the RAF as it strives to increase efficiency across the board, and RAF Kinloss is no exception.

"Change is a feature of RAF life and station personnel are resilient."

'Superb fighting unit'

The squadron's commander, Wing Commander Robbie Noel, said: "This is a particularly sad day for me and our squadron, and also for all our associated members who have served on 206 since it was formed in 1916.

"We might be losing 206 squadron in its current form, but all those who have served on this superb fighting unit will always be the richer for the experience, and should walk tall with pride for the part they have played in making history."

Local Scottish National Party MP Angus Robertson said: "It is a great disappointment for all current and past members of the squadron.

"It is also disappointing because it comes at a time when there is a lot of concern about the future of bases and there are concerns that Kinloss may be run down or closed.

Far-reaching effects

"It also comes only a few short weeks after the government announced 390 engineering jobs were to move from nearby RAF Lossiemouth."

Between them, the two bases employ nearly 5,000 people and inject almost �100m into the Scottish economy.

Local independent councillor Jeff Hamilton said: "Cutting the number of air crews will obviously have far-reaching effects on local business, big and small.