Moray people celebrate RAF homecoming

19 February 2011

The people of Moray are preparing to celebrate the return of local RAF personnel from Afghanistan. Convener of Moray Council, Cllr George McIntyre, has invited the RAF to parade through Elgin on February 19, and RAF Lossiemouth base Commander, Gp Capt Andy Hine, has happily accepted.

The march will start just before 11am, following a route through Elgin town centre, across the A96 and back to the Town Hall. Route maps will be published nearer the day, and these will be on display in the public notice boards in Elgin.

The salute will be taken by the Lord Lieutenant of Moray, the Moray Council Convener, base commanders from Kinloss and Lossiemouth, and Major General Seymour Munro. There will be a flypast at 1100hrs by an RAF Tornado.

Cllr McIntyre, also a member of the Moray Task Force, said: "With the focus of concern over the future of RAF in Moray, it feels right that we take one step back from the politics and show how pleased we are that our local military are safely home. This is not a time of protest or placards but of celebration.

"I'm sure that everyone will want to show just how much a part of this community they are, and that Moray is really 'home' to the RAF."