Kinloss Barracks

Kinloss Barracks is a military installation located near the village of Kinloss, on the Moray Firth in the north of Scotland. Until 2012 it was an Royal Air Force (RAF) station, RAF Kinloss.

RAF Kinloss
The Royal Air Force station RAF Kinloss opened at the site on 1 April 1939 and served as a training airfield during the Second World War. After the war it was handed over to Coastal Command to watch over Russian ships and submarines in the Norwegian Sea. Until 2010 it was the main base for the RAF's fleet of Nimrod MR2 maritime patrol aircraft. It was intended that the MR2 would be replaced by the Nimrod MRA4, but the MRA4 was cancelled in the Strategic Defence and Security Review of October 2010. Kinloss then became surplus to RAF use and regular flying operations ceased on 31 July 2011.

Transfer to British Army
On 18 July 2011, the MOD announced that RAF Kinloss would become a British Army barracks, with army units arriving in 2014 or 2015. A further announcement in November 2011 confirmed that 39 Engineer Regiment (Air Support) of the Royal Engineers would move from Waterbeach Barracks, near Cambridge, to Kinloss, in July 2012. It was expected that 930 service personnel and their families would move at this time. The number of army personnel based at Kinloss would be 41% down on the number of personnel which were present during the RAF's tenure.

After 73 years as an RAF station, control of Kinloss transferred to the British Army at 1200 on 26 July 2012. A ceremony was attended by eight former RAF Kinloss station commanders, the last station commander Group Captain JJ Johnston, the Lord Lieutenant of Moray and invited guests. The RAF colours were lowered for the last time and British Army colours raised to mark the new chapter in Kinloss's history.

British Army

 * Royal Engineers (8 Engineer Brigade, 12 (Force Support) Engineer Group)
 * 39 Engineer Regiment (Air Support)
 * 34 Field Squadron
 * 48 Field Squadron
 * 53 Field Squadron
 * 60 Headquarters & Support Squadron
 * 65 Field Support Squadron
 * 71 Engineer Regiment (Air Support) (Army Reserve)
 * 236 Troop

Defence High Frequency Communications Service (DHFCS)

 * DHFCS Kinloss

Royal Engineers
39 Engineer Regiment is tasked with providing air support engineering, such as repair of airfield operating surfaces, to both the RAF and to the British Army; and is the only regular regiment focused on providing such a capability. Around 800 personnel are based at Kinloss.

Defence High Frequency Communications Service (DHFCS)
Kinloss Barracks is home to a high frequency receiver station and network control centre forming part of the Defence High Frequency Communications Service. Prior to 2003 the system at Kinloss was operated by No. 81 Signals Unit (Detachment North) of the RAF. The station is now operated by Babcock International Group on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Relief Landing Ground
The airfield is maintained by the RAF as a relief landing ground for aircraft based at nearby RAF Lossiemouth and continues to be used by Moray Flying Club and RAF No. 663 Volunteer Gliding Squadron operating the Vigilant T1. It cannot be booked by other aircraft as a diversion airfield or for refuelling stops.