The fight for the future of Leuchars as an RAF base has moved up a gear with the launch of a special task force.
A non-political group intends to strengthen the economic case already made for retention of the air force in Fife and further explore the defence case before the MoD makes its decision on the UK’s military framework.
The group includes local politicians, the Scottish Government, Fife Council, Scottish Enterprise, Fife Chamber of Commerce, Fife Economic Partnership and Leuchars Community Council.
It is also intended to work with the task force that has already been set up in Lossiemouth to campaign for both bases.
The RAF Leuchars task force was established at a meeting in Glenrothes chaired by Bruce Crawford.
Member and north-east Fife MSP Iain Smith, who has been calling for such a movement for some time, said, “I am delighted that this task force has now been formally established.
“Much work has already been done by an informal group of politicians, Fife Council and the local community in putting together a compelling case for the base’s retention.
“We now have the opportunity to add clout and expand upon these arguments. The campaign has taken on a new dimension and I hope we can keep up the pressure and rally even more people to the cause.”
Leader of the administration Peter Grant said, “The establishment of the task force is an important move in the campaign to retain Leuchars as an RAF air base.
“This will ensure that we can build on the good work done to date in the relatively short time we have had to respond to a risk of closure.”
He added, “I would like to reiterate my invitation to Dr Liam Fox to come to Fife and visit Leuchars and see for himself the importance of RAF Leuchars as a vital UK strategic defence base.”