New home for aircraft carriers nears completion

A huge new centre at Portsmouth Naval Base that will support the new Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers is nearing completion.

The Queen Elizabeth Class Centre of Specialisation will become the new home for the carriers next year.

It will cover an area the size of 10 football pitches. Workers have spent many months strengthening the centuries-old jetty, building a new sub-station and creating space for hundreds of staff and 15,000 pallets of medical, mail and naval stores.

The centre will include a café seating more than 500 people at any one time and a reception centre for those working on or visiting the carriers.

At 65,000 tonnes the new carriers are the largest and most complex naval ships built in the UK. It’s essential that they have high quality facilities and highly skilled people to support them.

This centre will be the home not just for the carriers; it will also be home for the military and civilian people who support them. With improvements to the jetty and construction of a high voltage power station already in its final stages, you can now see that we are well on the way to being ready for HMS Queen Elizabeth’s arrival next year.

– MIKE HOWARTH, MANAGING DIRECTOR FOR BAE SYSTEMS MARITIME SERVICES

Mark Lancaster, Minister for Defence Personnel and Veterans says the £100 million investment in the naval base and the arrival of the carriers will support and sustain thousands of jobs across the region.

Commodore Jeremy Rigby, Naval Base Commander, explains why he thinks the new carriers are important for the Royal Navy:

Commodore Rigby says the main objective of the carriers would be to "project our influence overseas”. But at a cost of more than £6 billion, some feel it's an unnecessary expense. Critics argue that the main threat to Britain’s security is violent terrorism, so strategically, aircraft carriers are not the way forward and could be vulnerable to the kinds of threats Britain may face in the future.

HMS Queen Elizabeth is due to arrive in Portsmouth next Spring.

HMS Hood's bell unveiled at Navy museum Portsmouth

The restored bell from the World War Two battlecruiser HMS Hood has been unveiled 75 years after the ship was sunk by the Bismarck.

Known at The Mighty Hood, she was hit by a shell from the German battleship in the Denmark Strait on 24 May 1941.

After a failed attempt to recover the bell from the seabed in 2012, it was eventuallyraised in August 2015.

The Princess Royal unveiled the bell at the National Museum of the Royal Navy in Portsmouth.

Rob White, a vice president of the HMS Hood Association, said: "To see something from HMS Hood, and a very significant part of her, right before our eyes is incredibly important and very moving for everybody involved.

"She was so utterly destroyed, there was virtually nothing left of her and only three survivors. What we hope is that it will carry that message forward about the dedication and courage of her crew."

The bell bears an inscription in memory of Rear-Admiral Sir Horace Hood, who died in the Battle of Jutland in World War One.

It forms part of an exhibition commemorating Jutland, the biggest naval battle in the 1914-1918 war.

The museum said the bell was a memorial to both battles, which happened 25 years apart.

HMS Hood was struck near its ammunition magazines which subsequently exploded, causing the ship to sink.

Of the 1,418 crew on board HMS Hood, only three were pulled from the water alive. It was the worst loss of life from a single British warship.

The sinking sparked a huge Royal Navy pursuit of the Bismarck, which was destroyed three days later. The German death toll was more than 2,000.

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Shipyard in North Russia to lay down sixth Yasen-class Submarine Perm on July 29

The Project Project 885M Yasen M-class nuclear-powered submarine Perm armed with missiles and torpedoes will be laid down in Severodvinsk in north Russia on July 29, the press office of Russia’s United Ship-Building Corporation said on Tuesday. 

India successfully tested new Smart Anti-Airfield Weapon

According to the Time of India, India has successfully achieved the development and testing of its 'First Fully Indigenised' Smart Anti-Airfield Weapon (SAAW). Highly placed sources in the Indian ministry of defence shared exclusively that the SAAW was successfully test launched from a Jaguar aircraft towards the fag end of first quarter of May by the Aircraft & amp; Systems Testing Establishment (ASTE) in Bangalore. 

Italian Navy Sixth FREMM ITS Luigi Rizzo Begins Sea Trials

On May 17, ITS Luigi Rizzo cast off at 7.20 a.m. from Fincantieri shipyard in Muggiano (La Spezia) for her first sea outing. This activity marks the beginning of the programme of sea trials which will continue until the completion of the ship's outfitting phase. The FREMM frigate is scheduled to be delivered to the Italian Navy in early 2017.

Russian Navy Upgrading its Project 949A Oscar II SSGN Submarines into 949AM Variant

Russia has started the multi-year program to upgrade Project 949A (Antey-class, NATO reporting name: Oscar II) nuclear-powered submarines armed with cruise missiles (SSGN), according to a source in Russian defense industry.

Lockheed Martin to Build Advanced Sonar Systems for U.S. Navy's MK 48 Heavyweight Torpedoes

Lockheed Martin will provide the U.S. Navy the latest advancements in sonar systems under a contract valued at up to $425 million for guidance and control systems for the MK 48 Mod 7 torpedo, part of a five-year effort to increase the inventory of the MK 48 Mod 7 heavyweight torpedoes for the submarine fleet.

Scrapped: HMS Illustrious Put Up For Sale

HMS Illustrious is set to be sold off for 'recycling' after the government's attempt to keep her for the nation failed.

 

The Ministry of Defence's Disposal Services Authority (DSA), which is responsible for disposing of all surplus British military equipment, has released a notice inviting expressions of interest for the potential sale of the aircraft carrier.

 

Nicknamed 'Lusty', the ship was the second of three Invincible-class ships built in the late 1970s and early 1980s, being rushed into service in 1982 to take part in the Falklands War.

 

Along with HMS Invincible and HMS Ark Royal, both long since having been sold off for scrap, she then spent 32 years protecting the UK’s interests across the world before being decommissioned in August 2014.

he sale notice is something of an embarassment, with the government announcing its intention to preserve Illustrious as a lasting tribute to the work of the Invincible-class as early as 2012.

 

Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology, Philip Dunne said at the time:

"It is important that we preserve the legacy of the Royal Navy’s Invincible-class aircraft carriers. When the last of these - HMS Illustrious - retires from the Royal Navy, we would like to see her preserved as a legacy to the work she, Invincible and Ark Royal have done to protect the UK over three decades."

"We would be keen to seek innovative proposals from a range of organisations, including private sector companies, charities and trusts."

 

More: HMS Invincible's Falklands Commander Dies

 

Speaking to Forces TV an MoD spokeswoman explained there had been a failure to find an appropriate buyer for Lusty: "We've previously asked for bids from companies wanting to turn it into some kind of heritage site but none were suitable."

"Recycling now seems the only viable option - however, if any other option comes up in the meantime we would look at that. At the moment we haven't had any bids so we don't know what it will be turned into but we have opened the bidding up to the wider recycling market."

However a Royal Navy source told Forces TV that the option of HMS Illustrious being sold for scrap remains the most likely fate, describing a worst-case scenario of her being "run up a beach and turned into razor blades."

 

They did add, however, that "she could still be sold to a foreign navy and refitted", citing examples of ships sold to India and Chile, including the aircraft carrier HMS Hermes and three Type 23 frigates.

Dramatic moment Royal Navy boat was forced to fire flares at Spanish boat ‘harassing’ nuclear sub off Gibraltar

A ROYAL Navy ship fired warning flares at a Spanish vessel harassing a US nuclear submarine trying to dock in Gibraltar, The Sun can reveal.

Insiders blasted the “dangerous” attempt to disrupt the visit last month by Ohio-class ballistic missile sub USS Florida.

A Spanish Guardia Civil patrol boat TWICE tried to sail directly across the front of the sub's path, and had to be sent packing by naval ships.

This latest outrage by Spanish vessels, which perpetually frustrate maritime life around Gibraltar, has outraged senior officials, who have complained to the Spanish authorities.

A top source, said: “This is not only a very dangerous game for the Spanish to play but it is unbecoming of a NATO ally to treat the US Navy with such contempt.

“The US Navy guarantees the security of the Med Sea for all of NATO and ought to be able to damn well visit any port it wants whether its Gibraltar or not.”

Moments after flares were fired a Guardia Civil launch named the Rio Cedeña again tried to pull in front of the sub - and was challenged once more by HMS Sabre, a rigid inflatable craft, who again took action to stop the vessel in its tracks.

The incident happened in mid-April as the American sub came to dock in the British Overseas Territory on the tip of Spain.

It is the first time in two years the Navy have been forced to fire warning flares at a Spanish government vessel, sources said.

The nuclear powered submarine launched more than 90 Tomahawk missiles during the operation to liberate Libya in 2011.

After a short stop she returned to international waters later the same day.

Local ship spotters snapped the second incursion off the coast of Gibraltar.

But the first – in international waters – occurred too far way to be pictured

However, the flare firing was confirmed by senior Royal Navy forces, who blasted the antics.

One insider, said: “We are used to brinkmanship but this flies in the face of any rule book on maritime safety.

“This is a nuclear powered submarine, and trying to disrupt its path is seriously dangerous.”

A spokesman for the Governor’s office, The Convent, confirmed the incursion, “in the vicinity of an incoming submarine.”

A Royal Navy spokesman said: “We don’t comment on force protection measures or submarine operations.”

Gibraltar occupies a commanding position at the western gateway to the Mediterranean Sea and has been an important naval base for more than 1,000 years.

It was captured from Spain by English troops in 1704 during the War of Spanish Succession.

Britain then took formal possession of the limestone outcrop in 1713 after signing the Treaty of Utrecht with Spain.

Admiral Horatio Nelson later used the territory as the base for his attack on Napoleon's Spanish and French forces — leading to victory at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.

The people of Gibraltar are British citizens and, under its 1969 constitution, there can be no transfer of sovereignty to Spain against residents' wishes.

Despite this, Spain continues to claim sovereignty over the territory, leading to occasional flashpoints.

UK military worry over drone spying and safety as UAV users told to alert Royal Navy before they fly

If you want to fly a drone anywhere over Devon or Cornwall, you're going to need to let the Royal Navy know, regional police in the UK are warning. Devon and Cornwall Police has been forward thinking by operating a special Twitter outreach account specifically for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) since November 2015, coinciding with the force's six-month-long trial using drone technology to assist with police work.

But now Devon and Cornwall Police is saying that all drone users need to inform the Royal Navy prior to flying a UAV.

A tweet issued by the @DC_PoliceDrones on 29 April said: "Flying a #drone in #Devon or #Cornwall? Please call @RoyalNavy Culdrose Ops on 01326 552415 so they can let their aircraft know for safety."

One would think that flying a drone for recreational purposes in your back garden or a field would be fine and you shouldn't need to inform anyone before doing so, but according to local newspaper West Briton, Devon and Cornwall Police means everyone because military aircraft in the area could be impacted

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Navy called to deal with ‘bomb’ on beach

Royal Navy experts have blown up what was suspected to be a pyrotechnic device on the beach at St Annes.

The object, initially believed to be a bomb, was discovered on Monday half a mile out from the shore

Lytham Coastguard team members attended the scene and made the object secure.

However, as it was suspected to be a piece of Second World War ordnance, the decision was made to call in specialist bomb disposal workers from the Royal Navy.

A team arrived from Scotland on Tuesday morning.

On assessment the item turned out to be a man overboard marker from the Second World War era.

However as the item was suspected to contained a potential chemical or explosive danger the decision was made to carry out a controlled explosion.

More British troops will be sent to Iraq to fight ISIS, Defence Secretary announces

Britain is poised to send more troops to Iraq to battle ISIS, Defence Secretary Michael Fallon announced.

Ammunition will also be given to the Kurdish Peshmerga after fighters complained they had no bullets for the machine guns gifted by the UK.

This comes as Mr Fallon headed to Germany to meet with his international counterparts.

Iraqi forces have IS, also known as Daesh , on the "back foot" and the jihadi organisation is losing territory, Mr Fallon said.

The Government is ready to offer fresh support, which is likely to mean extra troops, to "intensify" the operations.

In resurrecting Captain Cook’s ship, we can re-examine our colonial past

News has emerged confirming the whereabouts of the wreckage of HMS Endeavour, a ship sailed by Captain James Cook. Reports invariably contain images of the ship in its pomp, proudly reminding the reader of its British origins and its voyage to the Pacific Ocean, where Cook took possession of Australia. But where should Cook’s ship go? Once we dredge it up, or rather, once the Rhode Island Marine Archaeology Project dredges it up, where should it be put? And will Cook’s ship be allowed to take us beyond our colonial past?

It must be remembered that it is our cultural attachment that will be doing the dredging, our obsession and fascination with these objects that circulate as evidence of the all-powerful histories of empire. Where we decide to put Cook’s ship and its contents will shape where it takes us. Through its presentation we will relate to it culturally; as an object of desire or fascination for some, and boredom for others. We will tell a new story and it will make us feel something.

Many of the Anglo-American and Australian public are likely to feel awe in the presence of the Endeavour. As we stand before it, in whatever state it is in (probably not wrecked but reconstructed to its “original” form), it is unlikely to rouse anything like the grief that has ripped the souls of millions of Indigenous Australians. Especially if we preserve it, present it and interpret it as part of the British Museum’s set.

This is not to say that the ship should become an opportunity for apology or sympathetic feeling. In Australia many Indigenous activists, public intellectuals and academics tell us that they aren’t interested in sympathy or other paternalistic emotions – an attitude that will be no surprise to those familiar with public forums such as the Guardian column IndigenousX.

Which should not be to dismiss the historical value of saying sorry, either. And it certainly isn’t to speak on behalf of Indigenous people – as if I ever could. It is merely to say that we are all looking forward as well as back, that life is moving on despite us, and we need to move things on too, in a way that changes the story. A story that until now has been that of “the famous British explorer”. A story that is in fact one of colonial rule, whiteness, and Indigenous sovereignty. A story in which we are all intertwined.

There is no such thing as “this side of the world”. The world isn’t made up of sides. Australia is very much “here” – Britons hear the accents, buy the products, watch the TV. And we are very much “there” – we fill the tourism ventures, go backpacking, populate their ABC with our BBC. We export our media. And in return Australia gave us The Conversation.

The resurrection of Cook’s ship is taking place here, in our shared world; the one without sides. This is why much academic literature refers to the colonial past as a “present”, to recognise how what is happening now continually remakes the effects of the past.

Turkey Started the Construction of its future LHD TCG Anadolu

Turkey began the construction of its first LHD / amphibious assault ship on Saturday, April 30th. The first steel cut ceremony was held at Sedef shipyard in Tuzlay Bay close to Istanbul. During the ceremony President of Turkish Republic Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared that "TCG Anadolu will be the first ship in the navy from which F-35B SVTOL planes will operate". 

French Navy Floreal-class Frigate in South China Sea with US Navy Stennis CSG

The French Navy (Marine Nationale) Floreal-class Frigate Vendemiaire joined the US Navy Stennis Carrier Strike Group (CSG) on April 30 2016. The French surveillance frigate joined USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) and his escort, consisting of three Arleigh Burke-class Destroyers and a Ticonderoga-class Cruiser.

Russia develops Il-76-based flying laboratory for hypersonic aircraft testing

The Gromov Aircraft Research Institute is designing a flying laboratory on the basis of Il-76 plane for experiments with hypersonic craft detachable from the carrier, the Russian news agency TASS reported , which quotes the Zhukovskie vesti newspaper. 

Our historic warplanes can stay in the skies, tests confirm

The iconic Second World War aircraft of RAF Coningsby's Battle of Britain Memorial Flight WILL reach for the skies in the coming season after it won official permission to display.

The flight, which boasts Spitfires, Hurricanes and the second-only airworthy Lancaster in the world, has been awarded public display authority for 2016 after an inspection today, April 27.

The BBMF has around 90 display and flypast dates from May to September this year including the Queen's birthday in June, airshows in Belgium and Holland and the Royal International Air Tattoo.

This year the displays include a commentary, while fighter planes will begin their dazzling shows by performing a new breath-taking vertical loop manoeuvre.

But a question remains over whether the Lancaster will meet some of its early display dates due to work on its fuel tanks

The original Thumper III, 617 Squadron Lancaster B1, DV385, was one of a fleet of new Lancasters supplied to the squadron after the Dams Raid in 1943.

It took part in the first Tallboy bombing raid on the Saumur railway tunnel in France, two missions against the German battleship Tirpitz and several attacks on V rocket sites.

RAF unleashes biggest 'bunker buster' bomb in fight against Isis

The Enhanced Paveway III (EPW III) with a 2,000lb deep penetration warhead was deployed to attack a large complex of tunnels and bunkers dug into a terraced hillside above the Euphrates River in western Iraq.

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The MoD said RAF Tornado GR4 fighter bombers based at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus had scored hits with a pair of EPW IIIs on two entrances to the bunker networks.

RAF aircraft involved in the campaign normally carry the smaller Paveway IV guided bombs and Brimstone missiles which can be carried in greater numbers and are considered more useful for close air support missions.

"The EPW III has been held in reserve for use if needed against particularly challenging underground or hardened targets," the MoD said in a statement posted on its website.

The EPW III was designed for use against aircraft shelters, bridges and military command centres in all weather conditions, according to HIS Jane's information group.

It was developed in response to the experience of the 1999 Kosovo campaign when the guided bombs in use at the time were severely hampered by bad weather and by smoke around targets.

RAF Lossiemouth Typhoons deployed to send message to Russia

Fighter jets from RAF Lossiemouth have been deployed to drive Russian aircraft from Nato airspace above the Baltic States.

Four Typhoons took off from the Moray station yesterday and headed for the Amari airfield in Estonia, amid reports that Russian jets had been increasingly threatening northern Europe.

The jets are expected to remain on the peacekeeping mission for the next four months, and will be called upon to intercept the Russian aircraft and escort them from the area.

The four Typhoons from RAF Lossiemouth’s II(AC) Squadron began departing from the base around 9am yesterday.

Finmeccanica integrated Mode 5 Reverse-IFF to the Italian Typhoons

Finmeccanica has upgraded the Italian Typhoons’ air-to-ground capabilities. In cooperation with the Italian Air Force the company integrated a Mode 5 Reverse-IFF system to the Tranche 1 Eurofighter Typhoons. The new capabilities were recently presented to NATO Battlefield Combat Identification Capability Team officials. 

Russian shipyard in Volga area floats out third Gepard-3.9-class frigate for Vietnam

The third Project 11661 Gepard-3.9-class frigate designed for the Vietnamese Navy has been solemnly put afloat at the Zelenodolsk Shipyard in Tatarstan in the Volga area, a TASS correspondent reports from the scene. 

US clears sale of 450 AIM-120D AMRAAM missiles to Australia

The United States State Department has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to Australia for AIM-120D Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles and associated equipment, training, and support. The estimated cost is $1.22 billion, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced on April 25.

 

US clears sale of 450 AIM-120D AMRAAM missiles to Australia

The United States State Department has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to Australia for AIM-120D Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles and associated equipment, training, and support. The estimated cost is $1.22 billion, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced on April 25. 

Russian-made 152 mm 2A65 Msta-B howitzers to use Krasnopol guided projectile in Syria

Russian-made 152-mm 2A65 Msta-B howitzers were first spotted in Syria in late October of last year. According to expert opinion, the type proved to be a real asset during the armed conflict, according to the Vestnik Mordovii news portal.

David Cameron challenged over Clyde shipyard job fears

Nicola Sturgeon has challenged the Prime Minister after trade unions warned up to 800 shipyard jobs on the Clyde could be axed by BAE Systems.

The GMB said on Friday that unions have been warned of a "worst case scenario" of up to 800 job losses in the Clyde workforce if the UK government does not honour contracts to build frigates with the defence giant.

Unions have expressed fears that new work to build type-26 frigates for the Ministry of Defence, announced in February 2015, might now be delayed until 2017 - and that some of the work may even be transferred to other shipyards.

GMB Scotland secretary Gary Smith said: "This would be a total betrayal of the upper Clyde workforce by a desperate Tory government trying to shift the goal posts in the face of their failing economic stewardship.

"We've gone from the upper Clyde workforce being promised the manufacture of 13 Type-26 frigates in 2014, for that to be cut to eight frigates last year.

"We've gone from promised investment that would secure thousands of skilled jobs and hundreds of apprenticeships for a generation, only to be told to prepare for redundancies.

"In the same week that Scottish unemployment increased by 20,000, the prospect of significant job losses at Govan and Scotstoun doesn't even bear thinking about - it could tip our economy over the edge."

A spokesman for BAE Systems said they were working with the UK government to "agree a revised baseline" for the frigates.

The First Minister demanded that David Cameron deliver on his government's promises.

Sturgeon said: "Workers at the Clyde yards were given a clear promise by the Tory government and the Labour party that they would build the frigates and that their jobs would be protected.

"First the Tories cut the number of frigates; now we hear that they may delay or move the orders putting jobs at risk."

She added: "David Cameron must commit to delivering these contracts, and ensuring jobs are protected at BAE on the Clyde. Workers in the shipyards should be treated with respect for their skills and experience, not betrayed with empty promises.

"It would be an absolute betrayal if David Cameron was to go back on his promise now, and shows the folly of the Labour party for signing up to Tory promises.

"The SNP in government has worked closely with BAE and the trade unions to support the yard and we will give them our full support over the coming months to ensure that the promises that were made are delivered."

Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale called out the Conservative government for "false promises".

Dugdale said: "It is completely unacceptable that workers on the Clyde are reading these reports in newspapers before they have been informed.

"If these reports are correct, workers on the Clyde will have been betrayed by a Tory government making false promises.

"Shipyard unions will have the full support of Scottish Labour in protecting these jobs.

"Clydeside shipbuilders are the best in the world and investment in the yards so that facilities match the skills of the workforce is essential to allow them to win future contracts."

The Labour leader added: "It is essential that the Type 26 project goes ahead as planned and as promised. Promises were made to workers on the Clyde, they must be kept."

Conservative leader Ruth Davidson said she had been assured the orders would go ahead as planned, as set out in the Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR).

Davidson said: "I spoke to the Secretary of State for Defence this morning to seek reassurances regarding orders to BAE systems on the Clyde.

"Michael Fallon confirmed that the orders for the Type 26 frigates and OPVs [Offshore Patrol Vessels] would go ahead as planned and as set out in the SDSR in November.

"It is important to monitor workforce issues at BAE between the winding down of work on the aircraft carriers and starting work on the Type 26 programme and I expect everyone - BAE, unions and government - to endeavour to make the transition between projects as smooth as possible and give the workforce the security they deserve."

The Lib Dems said the Clyde workforce needed assurances from the Prime Minister.

Party leader Willie Rennie said: "There are serious concerns about the future of the orders at the yard and it's important that the Conservative government gives an absolute commitment.

"They need to end the feast and famine of orders so the workforce can be maintained at a steady level."

3,400 Nato troops leave Moray as Joint Warrior concludes

A major military training exercise hosted by RAF Lossiemouth has drawn to a close, with fleets of international aircraft jetting off from the base throughout yesterday.

Operation Joint Warrior brought some of the world’s most advanced fighter jets into the skies above Moray, where they staged a series of spectacular aerial training sessions.

More than 3,400 Nato troops took part in the land, sea and air war games event – including 22 ships, four submarines and more than 40 aircraft from a dozen Nato nations and three partner countries.

For the past two weeks the region has been buzzing with excitement about the event, with enthusiasts flocking from far and wide to glimpse the awe-inspiring machines in person.

But by yesterday afternoon, a hush had descended on the base as normality began to reassert itself.

One onlooker, who made several trips to the viewing area at the northern edge of the RAF Lossiemouth runway, hailed the success of the event.

The former RAF serviceman said that a fleet of Turkish F-16 jets had been the main attraction for a lot of the aviation enthusiasts who visited the area for the event.

He added: “The Turkish jets flew on missions twice almost every day, and were involved with some important training sessions.”

A German crew which had been participating in the war games exercise was unexpectedly called away shortly after it begun, and many experts believe they were summoned to assist with international operations.

A fleet of Poseidon aircraft attached to Patrol Squadron 10 at the “Red Lancers” Naval Air Station in Jacksonville, Florida, proved of special interest to observers and Lossiemouth personnel – as the airfield will secure its own brand new deployment of the craft in the coming years.

The hulking spy planes were stationed at the northern end of the runway throughout the exercise, and it is understood that RAF chiefs plan to keep the station’s new fleet in that area.

RAF experts who have maintained their surveillance skills since the UK’s fleet of maritime patrol aircraft was decommissioned in 2010 spent time conferring with the American pilots and learning more about the machines.

It is believed that they will train the crews who will work with the machines when they take up a permanent residence at RAF Lossiemouth.