A massive war games exercise, based around Moray, has been hailed as a successful initiative.
For the last two weeks, aircraft from around the globe have been jetting in and out of RAF Lossiemouth as part of Operation Joint Warrior.
The spectacle of planes leaving the base to take part in specialist training drills over land and sea has been a regular sight.
Highly-skilled foreign crews have now departed Moray for the final time at the climax of the exercise, which involved about 5,700 military personnel in many different locations.
Plane spotters turned up at the end of the base’s runways to catch a glimpse of the visiting aircraft, with the Portuguese F-16 fight jets the biggest draw.
Huge Poseidon P-8 spy planes from the US Navy were again part of the drills in advance of Lossiemouth becoming their permanent home in 2020.
The familiar sight of Sea King helicopters also returned to the Moray skyline with added radar equipment from the time when they were regularly used for search and rescue operations.
In true American style, the crews on board the marine patrol aircraft described the experience of linking up with Scottish and Nato colleagues as “awesome”.
A US Navy tactical officer on the P-8s, said: “It’s been refreshing to see how seamlessly the whole exercise has worked.
“We’ve really learned a lot in terms of how to operate in this geographical area and the challenges that brings, and that’s been exciting.”
The biennial Joint Warrior military exercise is the largest of its kind in Europe, involving 67 aircraft and 31 warships and submarines.
Throughout the intensive two-week course of drills the Moray base has remained ready to intercept menacing aircraft as part of Quick Reaction Alert North.
Wing Commander Gary Partridge, commander of RAF Lossiemouth’s operations wing, added: “Preparation for Joint Warrior is a whole-force activity that brings together regulars, reservists, civil servants and contractors.
“Planning began some six months prior to the start of the exercise and intensive work continues until the last exercising aircraft has left Lossiemouth.
“Working with our whole-force colleagues and the visiting aircrew and ground crews is an enriching experience, with each learning from the other, and ensuring all personnel are prepared for deployed Nato or coalition operations.”
