A veteran United States Air Force exchange officer has accused military top brass of insulting those who have fought and died for their country in the RAF.
The retired officer said the attitude of the Ministry of Defence towards serving and retired RAF personnel was “crass” and he believed the decision not to allow former RAF Leuchars personnel to take part in a parade when the base is handed over to the army next Tuesday was “disturbing”.
The Courier revealedthat military top brass have come under fire from furious former RAF Leuchars personnel amid claims they “back- pedalled” on allowing them to take part in Tuesday’s farewell parade.
But RAF Leuchars has insisted there had never been an arrangement, formal or otherwise, and participation would be “unworkable”.
The Courier understands that, behind the scenes, senior officers in the RAF and army are frustrated at the situation but their hands are tied.
Communicating with the Final Farewell to RAF Leuchars group through social media, the US veteran said: “In my humble opinion, and fully appreciating I don’t have a complete picture of the way they’re planning to hand over RAF Leuchars to the British Army, from what I’m gathering this seems an insult to every RAF member who ever served in defence of the UK and/or her allies, particularly those who died doing so.
“Moreover, it sends a very disturbing message to those who are currently serving in her ranks or those young citizens who are considering military service.
“I understand budget cuts, the need to set difficult priorities and/or to scale down celebratory/commemorative events but this seems a very crass, afterthought-ish way to hand over such a remarkable military installation.
“If I could I’d fly wave after wave of US Strike Eagles, Falcons, tankers and airlift aircraft over RAF Leuchars from sunrise to sunset on handover day in honour of the men and women who served on RAF Leuchars’ soil.
Ninety-five years of RAF history will come to an end at Leuchars on Tuesday.