Fast jets have begun leaving Leuchars after almost a century of RAF aviation history.
The RAF have confirmed that the first four Typhoon fast jets moved from Leuchars to their new home at RAF Lossiemouth on Tuesday.
And despite the army not being due to arrive in numbers until next summer, fresh assurances have been given that there will not be a “gap” between the RAF leaving Leuchars and the army taking over.
With planning under way for months, the remainder of 6 Squadron will transfer from Leuchars to Moray over coming days with the official arrival date for the squadron at Lossiemouth set for next Friday.
The second RAF Leuchars Typhoon squadron, 1(F) Squadron, is scheduled to transfer to Lossiemouth in the autumn, ending a permanent fast jet presence in Fife dating back decades.
The formal handover of Leuchars to the army is due to take place on March 31 2015, with the majority of army personnel scheduled to arrive in June next year.
An RAF spokesman told The Courier: “The phased transition of Typhoon Force elements based at Leuchars to RAF Lossiemouth is now underway. Aircraft and personnel from 6 Squadron have begun to relocate to Moray and will be followed in the autumn, as scheduled, by 1(Fighter) Squadron.
“Whilst it is likely that there will be fluctuations in occupancy levels at RAF Leuchars during the transition, we do not anticipate a gap in occupancy. The RAF is working closely with the army and Fife Council to deliver the most effective transition possible.”
An army spokesperson said soldiers were very much looking forward to their move to Leuchars. Preparations had been under way for months and the entire next year would be geared towards the move from Germany to Leuchars for soldiers and their families.
But North East Fife MP Sir Menzies Campbell said he would be writing to the Defence Secretary to ensure that commitments to a seamless transfer were upheld.
He said: “The Ministry of Defence has consistently said that any gap between the departure of the RAF and the arrival of the army on the base will be kept to an absolute minimum. The local community will understandably be concerned if there is any suggestion that it will take longer than expected for the army to take up residence at Leuchars.”
Tay Bridgehead Fife councillor Tim Brett, whose ward includes Leuchars, also had concerns.
He said: “This is a sad day but we knew it was coming. There will be many people locally who still do not believe the defence case for closure after almost 100 years of RAF. I know people will be sad to see them go.
“Whilst I understand there will be a small army presence at Leuchars from July, most will not come until June next year. I remain concerned about the effect on local businesses.”
Leuchars Community Council chairman Carroll Finnie said she was not anticipating a gap and was not aware of any significant local concerns. She said army personnel had been attending community meetings for months to ensure locals were kept informed.
RAF Leuchars said their formal farewell to Fife a month ago when service personnel exercised their freedom of St Andrews for one last time.