RAF
Coningsby - 30/04/2007
On
the 24th of April, Wg Cdr
John Sullivan, OC 6 Sqn, made
the announcement that everyone
had been dreading - the Jaguar
Out of Service Date (OSD)
was to be brought forward
to the 30th of April, signalling
an end to 33 years of operational
service by the type.
What
those of us present witnessed
just six days later spoke
volumes about the pride, skill
and undoubted professionalism
that exists in the Jaguar
force, and specifically with
Number 6 Squadron - "The
Flying Canopeners".
At
1400 local, "Boxer 1-13"
were cleared to take-off from
Coningsby's runway 07.
When
they returned, some 90 minutes,
and a tour taking in RAF Valley,
BAe Warton and RAF Leeming,
amongst other places,
later, they lined up with
the southern taxiway and flew
runway heading towards the
west describing the number
"6" in the sky above
the airfield.
A
bank to the left, a change
of formation and then they
returned over their HAS site
heading to the north - this
time we were treated to a
diamond-nine followed by a
box-four.
A
long sweeping bank to the
right brought the formation
round onto runway heading
of 070 degrees, where two
by two the Jaguars peeled
away from the formation into
the visual circuit, turning
on to finals from both left
and right as they landed in
a thirteen-strong stream.
With
all aircraft back on the deck,
they made their way up the
southern taxiway and back
to their HAS site.
All
credit to JS and his squadron.
There's not many that could've
pulled this off!
Of
course, there was some Typhoon
action during the day as well,
but this was 6 Sqn's day.
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