First RAF fighter jet back from Gulf

RAF LEUCHARS, Scotland (AFP) Apr 11, 2003
The first of four Tornado fighters returning from the Gulf on Friday touched down at its home base in Scotland, signalling the start of a drawdown of British forces deployed for the Iraq war.

The supersonic jet was seen touching down under bright skies at RAF Leuchars, near Saint Andrews on the east coast of Scotland, around 2:20 pm (1320 GMT).

Defence Minister Geoff Hoon announced earlier Friday in London that Britain would slowly begin pulling out its forces out of the Gulf, starting with warplanes and naval ships, barely three weeks after the war in Iraq began.

SPACE.WIRE