End of an Era - Goodbye Tornado

[Galant]

https://twitter.com/GavinWilliamson/...17731198611459

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/t...-the-last-time

"After almost 40 years serving the UK on military operations across the world, iconic RAF Tornado jets have returned home for the last time...

First entering service in 1979, the fast jets have been used in operations across the world, most recently bombarding Daesh to push the terrorist group back through Syria and Iraq.

Families and friends of the present-day squadron members were on hand to welcome them back to RAF Marham, Norfolk, on Tuesday afternoon.
The Tornado will be officially retired from service at the end of March and will only be used for training purposes over the UK in the intervening period.

Originally named the Tornado GR1 the aircraft’s first use in live operations was during the Gulf War in 1991, when 60 Tornado GR1s were deployed from bases in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. Later they were upgraded to the GR4 model, which has been used ever since over the skies of Kosovo, Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria.

Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said:

It is with a heavy heart, but enormous pride, that we bid farewell to the Tornado from operations. This truly is the end of an era, having played a vital role in keeping Britain and its allies safe for four decades.

But, after so long in service, it is only right that we now look to the future. The combination of our state-of-the art F35s and the Typhoon’s new weapon systems will keep us as a world leader in air combat for a generation.

Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier said:

My sincerest congratulations to the Tornado Force, returning home after more than 4 years of continuous commitment to defeating Daesh in Iraq and Syria - an exceptional effort from everyone, well done and thank you.

As a Tornado GR4 pilot myself, I have seen the aircraft develop over its nearly 40 years of service into an outstanding combat aircraft, flown, maintained and supported by similarly outstanding air and groundcrew. The Tornado Force has been continuously deployed on operations since 1990, serving with immense distinction in Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, Libya and the Balkans.

I will personally be very sad to see the Tornado retire, but it is time now to pass the baton to our next generation combat aircraft. The F-35B Lightning is now operational and the Typhoon is now fully multi-role capable and able to take on the Tornado’s missions.

We can all take immense pride in what the Tornado has achieved in defence of the nation over nearly four decades, and reflect back on the courage, commitment and achievements of everyone who has contributed to the success of this extraordinary aircraft."

[Ttaskmaster]

I feel old....

[Zak33]

I feel old....

ditto

[ik9000]

even more impressive when you consider a good amount of its tech was the TSR2 from the 60s

[walibe]

I remember seeing and getting in this plane on a beaver trip to RAF Bruggen. It was this first contact with the RAF that ultimately lead me to join. The pace of change in the RAF is quite staggering at the moment. Virtually all of the aircraft I grew up with and joined along side are gone. This plane was particularly accomplished in the first gulf war. The Americans were even evaluating the platform for a time. There is nothing else quite like it in terms of capability but all good things must come to an end. On the plus side if you ever wanted to own one, there will be a ton of them up for sale in a couple years. Would look great in the garden, or on the drive.

[blueball]

This plane was particularly accomplished in the first gulf war

Disagree, the weapon system it was given, JP233, was pretty much a death sentence to deliver and the runways were repaired pretty quickly. Consequently, they were moved from low level night to high level day attacks with laser designation provided by Buccaneers. The Tornado had to refuel out and back and the Bucc only refuelled once. Eventually the Bucc was doing self designated attacks, lasing in a dive and releasing their own weapon after having designated targets for the Tornado. The GR1 got all the media attention so it appeared to be the wonder weapon (and that is not sour grapes on my part).
Additionally, the Tornado Radar Warning Receiver couldn't detect search radars so they were unaware when they were being watched.
The GR4 was a much more capable aircraft.

[walibe]

Disagree, the weapon system it was given, JP233, was pretty much a death sentence to deliver and the runways were repaired pretty quickly. Consequently, they were moved from low level night to high level day attacks with laser designation provided by Buccaneers. The Tornado had to refuel out and back and the Bucc only refuelled once. Eventually the Bucc was doing self designated attacks, lasing in a dive and releasing their own weapon after having designated targets for the Tornado. The GR1 got all the media attention so it appeared to be the wonder weapon (and that is not sour grapes on my part).
Additionally, the Tornado Radar Warning Receiver couldn't detect search radars so they were unaware when they were being watched.
The GR4 was a much more capable aircraft.

The repair of the runways was relative and the desired impact was achieved. The switch to higher level bombing only occurred after the Iraqi airforce effectively became grounded, not because it was ineffective. That part only took 6 or 7 days. The buccaneer was invaluable yes but on its own dropped less than 50 munitions and this was done against targets of opportunity after the main mission (laser designation) had occurred. Compare the number of munitions with the tornado and jaguar.

Yes the GR4 has been an amazing aircraft but Gr1 variants and 2 were also incredible aircraft during each of their eras.

[blueball]

I was there, were you?

[blueball]

I was there, were you?

What I mean by that is that I spoke directly to the people who were there at the time, I worked with Bucc and Jag and liaised directly with the GR1 EWOs

[Lost4words]

Awesome aircraft

[Ttaskmaster]

I was there, were you?

What I mean by that is that I spoke directly to the people who were there at the time

I was gonna say.... you sound remarkably well for someone who was stood on a runway being bombed!

[walibe]

What I mean by that is that I spoke directly to the people who were there at the time, I worked with Bucc and Jag and liaised directly with the GR1 EWOs

Strangely a few of them still serve today. One thing I have learned is that change is often resisted, new isn’t often welcome and what we do or we have is better than what you do/what you’ve got. This is very much a case in point.

[blueball]

Strangely a few of them still serve today. One thing I have learned is that change is often resisted, new isn’t often welcome and what we do or we have is better than what you do/what you’ve got. This is very much a case in point.

Utter rubbish. I already said the GR4 was a great jet, the GR1 kit and weapons wasn't fit and although the crews were marvellous, and I take my hat off to them, they didn't get the systems they deserved to do the job.

[OilSheikh]

Can we not sell these off to poor Asian or African countries ?
I heard SriLankan airforce are looking for some jets.

[peterb]

Can we not sell these off to poor Asian or African countries ?
I heard SriLankan airforce are looking for some jets.

No, they don't have the technology to maintain them, nor the weapon systems to fit to them. And the airframes will be coming to end of life.

[Ttaskmaster]

No, they don't have the technology to maintain them, nor the weapon systems to fit to them. And the airframes will be coming to end of life.

^ Which is precisely why the Americans happily sold a load of F-14s off to Iran.
I imagine most of the world will have already learned from their mistake....