Defence chiefs have confirmed that up to 30 Typhoon fighter jets and 400 RAF personnel will start moving to Moray before Christmas.
The UK Government has said the “phased relocation” of two squadrons from RAF Leuchars to RAF Lossiemouth would begin by the end of 2013.
The transfer of the aircraft worth billions of pounds and hundreds of staff will secure the future of the last remaining air base in Moray and is described as “crucial” for the economy.
The Tornado GR4s based at Lossiemouth will begin to be withdrawn as the Typhoons arrive.
A source at the Ministry of Defence said he expected the switch to be almost on a “one in, one out” basis.
It is believed the transfer of all of the personnel and equipment from Fife to Moray is scheduled to be completed within a year, with the last Typhoon expected to leave Leuchars in September 2014.
The timetable was reportedly revealed to staff at the Fife base at a meeting a week ago, where civil service redundancies and early retirement packages were also said to have been discussed.
The army is understood to be replacing the RAF at the site in early 2015, with campaigners hoping uncertainty will end when the MoD reveals its review.