Could one of RAF’s new 201 aircraft carry island’s name?
THE first of the new fleet of Poseidon anti-submarine warfare, surveillance and search and rescue aircraft for the RAF has been named after Moray, leading to speculation that Guernsey might be honoured in a similar way.
The Poseidon MRS MK1 P-8A aircraft will be based at Lossiemouth, Moray, in Scotland, and will be operated by 120 Squadron and the Guernsey-affiliated 201 Squadron.
201 Squadron was disbanded in 2011 after a UK defence review but it will be reformed by 2021.
The Poseidon is based on the Boeing 737 and in July the first of the nine, ZP801, successfully completed its test flight by Boeing pilots.
The aircraft will now be transferred from Boeing Commercial to Boeing Defence, Space and Security and be fitted with Poseidon-specific military systems.
It will be delivered to the RAF’s naval air station in Florida in October and should arrive in the UK early next spring.
Air commodore and senior responsible owner for the Poseidon programme, Richard Barrow, said it was an exciting time.
‘The Poseidon MRA Mk 1 will enhance the UK’s maritime patrol capability with advanced, state-of-the-art anti-submarine warfare and anti-surface warfare sensors.
‘Poseidon ZP801 will also carry the name Pride of Moray. This name celebrates the maritime patrol aircraft heritage of Moray as well as looking forward to the Poseidon’s future home in RAF Lossiemouth, Moray, Scotland.’
With the name of the first aircraft announced, it appears possible one of the nine might be named after Guernsey because 201 Squadron will be involved in Poseidon operations.
The reformation of 201 Squadron was announced in 2017 and former Bailiff Sir Geoffrey Rowland, president of the 201 Association, said at the time that he was delighted new life would be given to the affiliation, which dates back to 1939.
‘So much effort has been put in by a small team to maximise the chance that Guernsey’s Own would fly again.
‘We said a la perchoine to the squadron in 2011 and we hoped that the day would come when the UK government would realise that it was necessary to restore a first-class maritime air surveillance capability.
‘Many of us have waited patiently to see if Guernsey’s Own would be re-badged.’
201 Squadron can trace its roots back to the formation of No 1 Squadron, Royal Naval Air Service in 1914.
