Community and business leaders in Moray have met Scottish ministers to urge action in response to the proposed run-down or closure of the RAF bases at Kinloss and Lossiemouth.
Together the two support 5,170 jobs, 7% of the area's households, contribute £158m to the local economy and account for a quarter of the defence footprint in Scotland.
Kinloss might be retained as an army base but this would still hit the local economy hard while there is a campaign to keep Lossiemouth as the base for the RAF's Tornados.
"Community and business leaders have moved quickly to form a Moray Taskforce to assist people directly affected by the proposed Kinloss closure, retain skills in the area and, critically, campaign to save the threatened Lossiemouth base," said first minister Alex Salmond.
"We are also pressing the UK Government to honour its pledge to engage fully with communities before final decisions are made, that is the very least that Scotland's defence industry and the people of Moray deserve. We are also considering what can be learned from the use of the Office of Economic Adjustment in the United States which provides a range of support for people affected by base closure and realignment. The OEA provides a useful model in demonstrating how a collaborative approach can help to empower communities and minimise negative impacts in similar situations. We are commending this approach to the Ministry of Defence."
Moray Council convenor George McIntyre said analysis is ongoing at Highlands & Islands Enterprise and the Scottish Government to strengthen the case for Lossiemouth.
"The case consists of economic, social and defence elements and we intend to make a compelling argument to the MoD across all three aspects," he said.
"We are also seeking cross-party support from all of Scotland's main political party leaders to strengthen the case for RAF Lossiemouth."
