Two RAF Lossiemouth servicemen have reached significant flying milestones following a recent sortie.
Flight Lieutenant Stuart Alexander has now clocked 2000 flying hours, and Flight Lieutenant Chris Stradling has reached an impressive 5000 hours of flight time.
Flt Lt Alexander has been flying Tornados since 2003 and has been an instructor with XV Reserve Squadron since April 2013.
Previously he has served with 617 Squadron, ‘The Dambusters’, 14 Squadron and 12 Bomber Squadron.
Flt Lt Stradling, who has been flying the same aircraft type for 27 years, reached his 5000th flying hour during the same sortie as his colleague.
He is the most experienced weapons systems operator — formally called navigators — currently flying the Tornado GR4, and it is unusual for modern air crews to amass 5000 hours flying hours because of simulated training.
As an instructor on XV Reserve Squadron, Flt Lt Stradling is also able to pass on his skills and experience to the WSOs and pilots who come to XV Reserve Squadron for specific Tornado aircraft training.
Flt Lt Stradling said after 5000 hours, he is still really enjoying the thrill of flying and operating the Tornado, and the chance to see Scotland from a completely different aspect.
He said: “My current role as an instructor with XV Reserve Squadron gives me an opportunity to instruct new pilots in the various skills required to operate the Tornado.
“The flight that clocked up the actual 5000th hour was flown in support of a staff instructional sortie.
“It involved some medium level practice attacks followed by a short period of low level and a practice gun attack at Tain Air Weapons Range.
“Both crew were aware of the significance of the sortie and were deliberately crewed together in order to celebrate the milestone.”
He received his 5000 hours badge from Wing Commander Jon Nixon, officer commanding XV Reserve Squadron.
And RAF Lossiemouth station commander, Group Captain Mark Chappell, met with the pair to mark the special occasion, which Flt Lt Straddling said was a pleasant surprise, adding: “The squadron boss normally meets the crews after such a trip if he is available, but it is most unusual for the station commander to attend.”
Both XV Reserve Squadron members will continue as instructors for the foreseeable future.