American fighter pilots whose jets were grounded after a tragic crash have departed RAF Lossiemouth and are now flying homewards.
Last Wednesday one of six F18 Hornet jets travelling from the Middle East to the Miramar airbase in Florida encountered difficulties over Cambridgeshire and plummeted to the ground.
The pilot, later named as Taj Sareen, ejected a mile before impact and was discovered dead by local police.
The remaining five jets were diverted 400 miles to RAF Lossiemouth that afternoon, where their dejected pilots were seen exchanging hugs in an effort to console each other over the loss of their comrade.
This morning three of the jets took off from the Moray airfield, leaving two behind.
It is understood that one of the “Red Devils” crafts is suffering from engine troubles and its pilot remains in Lossiemouth, along with another who will act as wingman when it finally departs.
Details of the investigation surrounding the cause of the crash are still unknown at this time.
VIDEO: Watch US jets take-off from Lossiemouth as crash investigation continues