RAF cutbacks on the Rock 19.06.12
9By 30th June, ground staff at RAF Gibraltar will begin to undertake cuts, making them one of the most severely depleted of all units affected by the SDSR.
90 per cent of the jobs are going.
Of the fifty serving at the airfield, mostly aircraft technicians, a mere five will be staying.
Although Gibraltar's runway proved vital in combat, it has not hosted a resident squadron of warplanes for more than fifty years.
Today it principally hosts budget airlines. The Rock is now predominantly a holiday destination, whose soon to be opened passenger terminal testifies to the growing volume of civilian traffic.
Military aircraft value training here, with both RAF Tornadoes and Hercules from the Submarine Parachute Assistance Group visiting this summer.
Yet, despite being in sight of North Africa, no acknowledged missions were flown at all during the Libya campaign.