The Royal Air Force station at Leuchars opened on 16 March 1920, although its association with the military can be traced back to 1911 when military balloons were operated at the site. During its history the site was used as a RNAS fleet fighter station and later as a RAF Coastal Command airfield. Throughout the Cold War and beyond, the station was home to fighter aircraft which policed northern UK airspace. The station also hosted an annual International Airshow.
Transfer to the Army
On 18 July 2011 Defence SecretaryLiam Fox announced that RAF Leuchars would close, whilst RAF Lossiemouth in Moray would be spared as part of the Strategic Defence and Security Review. The recently formed Typhoon force, which was stood up in March 2011, moved to RAF Lossiemouth in Summer 2014 with the Army expected to take up residence in 2015 onwards. Several lodger units on the station continue to receive support from their respective parented stations/HQ after the transition from RAF to Army command. These include No. 612 Squadron RAuxAF, the East of Scotland Universities Air Squadron incorporating 12 Air Experience Flight, and the Headquarters of Scotland and Northern Ireland Region and South East Scotland Wing of the Air Training Corps. There is still an RAF presence, with a runway used for diverted aircraft. The former lodger units of 58 Squadron RAF Regiment and 6 Force Protection Wing disbanded on 10 May 2014. Similarly the RAF Leuchars Mountain Rescue Team disbanded in Nov 2013. The Army took control of the station on 1 April 2015 and it was renamed Leuchars Station. The term 'station' was used as the size of the installation is smaller than a garrison but larger than a barracks and to reflect the range of army and RAF occupants. The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards gradually relocated from Germany in the spring and summer of 2015 along with 2 Battalion REME and 110 Provost Company. A news report from the Courier stated that 2 CS REME would be moved from Leuchars to Yorkshire under Army 2020 Refine plans. The transition from RAF to Army control was considered to have gone smoothly by Fife Council in terms of its impact on the local community. In February 2018, local Councillors suggested that the name of installation be changed as it could be confused with Leuchars Railway Station.
Based units
The following notable units are based at Leuchars Station.
