Final flight for UK's Harriers at RAF Cottesmore

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Source: - BBC News

Final flight for UK's Harriers at RAF Cottesmore

The Harrier jump jet will make its final operational flight on Wednesday, leaving from RAF Cottesmore in Rutland.

One of Britain's greatest technical achievements was retired early after falling victim to defence cuts.

In celebration of the aircraft, Harriers will pass over seven military bases, the town centres of Stamford and Oakham, and Lincoln Cathedral.

The Harriers will be decommissioned in 2011 to be replaced by the Joint Strike Fighter by the end of the decade.

Aircraft engineer Lt Cdr Mark Kingdom, of 800 Naval Air Squadron, is being redeployed to work on the replacement and says the Harrier will be missed.

"It's so special because it's effectively the only aircraft we can operate from sea. It's a British evolution, a British design, and it's done such a fantastic job in its 41 years of service," he said.