JETS FROM RAF Leuchars will fly over the east coast in diamond formation on Friday as a squadron’s final farewell.

Next Tuesday 56 (Reserve) Squadron disbands and its duties are to be taken over by 43 (Fighter) Squadron.

Nine F3 Tornados will take off from the Fife airbase at 10am and fly over the Forth bridges (10.15am), Leith Docks and Britannia (10.17), before skirting round Edinburgh, passing Redford Barracks (10.25) and Edinburgh Airport.

They will fly over the bridges again (10.26) on their way to Scone airport (10.30am) and turn back down the Tay to Dundee (10.35). The aircraft will then turn north over Condor (10.37), fly over Aberdeen (10.40) and on to RAF Lossiemouth (10.45) and Kinloss (10.47) before returning to Leuchars for a final flypast at 11.

The fighter squadron, nicknamed the Firebirds, was first formed on June 16, 1916, and served in both world wars.

It is currently serving as the Tornado F3 Operational Conversion Unit, training fighter pilots and navigators to fly the Tornado F3.

Its role has also involved running the RAF’s version of Top Gun school, where the air force’s best people are trained to become qualified weapons instructors.

An RAF spokesman said, “All the activities of the squadron relied on the professionalism and hard work of a multi-disciplined team made up of squadron aircrew and engineers, ably supported by Royal Air Force Leuchars personnel.

“The squadron’s success contributed to the safety of the skies over the United Kingdom and our NATO allies, and to our nation’s ability to intervene in conflicts around the world.”

The disbanding of the squadron, announced in February, is part of the phasing out of the Tornado F3 force in preparation for the arrival of the Typhoon.

All the 79 service personnel in the squadron are being redeployed to other units in the RAF.