MOD To Close Kinloss Rescue Centre

The MOD is to close the rescue coordination centre at Kinloss Barracks.

The Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre will be moved from Moray to Fareham in England.

The UK Government says the move will improve search and rescue operations.

The facility is the only one of its kind in the UK and coordinates emergency response operations.

“The relocation of the ARCC to the National Maritime Operations Centre at Fareham will combine the aeronautical and maritime rescue coordination functions, resulting in a better service for those in distress.

"The new UK search and rescue service will use brand-new faster helicopters to cut average response times and providing a more reliable overall service.

27 RAF posts and 10 civilian posts will be affected by the decision.

The MOD says they'll be no compulsory military redundancies, with personnel assigned to other posts across the UK.

There's no word on what will happen to civilian jobs at the base.

Westminster SNP Leader and defence spokesman Angus Robertson MP whose Moray constituency is home to Kinloss Barracks and the rescue centre said: “This is devastating news for the personnel at Kinloss, for Moray and for Scotland more generally. “It is the latest in a series of disproportionate MOD cuts to defence bases, capabilities and personnel. “Two out three Scottish airbases have been cut, the entire maritime patrol fleet has been scrapped and we have the lowest military personnel numbers in Scotland in living memory. “That the closure announcement is happening in the middle of a life threatening storm and comes only weeks after the independence referendum tells you much about the cynical approach of the MOD and the UK government."