Leuchars Mountain Rescue Team has been axed as the Fife air base is transformed into an army barracks.
The team, whose main role is to respond to military aircraft crashes in remote areas as well as rescuing civilians, is being disbanded as a result of RAF Leuchars personnel being transferred to Lossiemouth.
It will be wound up by the end of the year, leaving three RAF Mountain Rescue Teams (MRTs) at RAF Valley in Wales, RAF Leeming in England and Kinloss Barracks.
North East Fife MP Sir Menzies Campbell said: “I’m extremely disappointed by the news that the Leuchars MRT is to be disbanded. It has a long and distinguished record of rescuing both service personnel and civilians in the sometimes treacherous conditions of the Scottish Highlands.
“Mountain rescue has been a significant contribution by the military to the civilian population and many people owe their survival to the efforts of the Leuchars team.”
Defence minister Andrew Robathan wrote to the Fife MP to update him on the transition of RAF Leuchars to an army base.
He confirmed that while the MRT was being phased out, Leuchars would hold on to the Regional Scotland and Northern Ireland Air Training Corps Headquarters, No 2345 Squadron Air Training Corps, East of Scotland Universities Air Squadron, No 12 Air Experience Flight and its Field Hospital.
However, Mr Campbell said common sense had yet to prevail over the loss of the Quick Reaction Alert at Leuchars, which responds to incursions into UK airspace.
He said there was “some good news” that other RAF units will continue to be based at Leuchars.
He added, however, that “the best possible news would have been that common sense had ultimately prevailed and Leuchars retained its strategic position as the air defence hub for the northern half of Great Britain”.
In his letter, Mr Robathan wrote: “In light of the changes planned for Leuchars transitioning to an army base it has been necessary to review the lodger units that are currently based there.
“The primary role of the RAF MRT is post-crash management, especially for incidents involving defence assets in remote areas.
“Consequently, as RAF personnel transfer from RAF Leuchars to RAF Lossiemouth, this will cease to operate by December 2013, with the seven personnel being reassigned by the end of March 2014 in line with the MRT’s closure.
“From the end of July 2013 the team’s role will reduce to supporting other RAF MRT’s with personnel or equipment.
“The MoD is committed to working with the local community to make the transition from the RAF to the army as smooth as possible and I will continue to update you as our plans develop.”