Increased Flying over Wiltshire, Oxfordshire and Gloucester

RAF DEPLOYED OPERATIONS TRAINING AT RAF FAIRFORD
From 23rd September to 30th October 2006 RAF Fairford will become the base for a large training exercise involving 1200 personnel and approximately 30 aircraft from the UK and overseas.

Previously, these exercises have been held at RAF St Mawgan in Cornwall. However, following the decision to reduce resources at St Mawgan, an alternative site had to be found.

RAF Fairford is a large airfield and is equipped with modern facilities, and with no aircraft permanently based there; it was selected as an ideal replacement location.

Work began at the base on 23rd September; aircraft have been arriving this weekend and all elements should be in place by 6 October 2006. Whilst there will obviously be an increase in take-offs and landings during the Exercise, the majority of the flying activity will take place over areas of Scotland and Wales.

The most intense period of the Exercise will be from Monday 16th October through to Wednesday 18th October, when there will be 24 hour activity including some controlled explosions to simulate mortar attacks.

This Exercise is a key part of the RAF’s training for deployment, and is crucial in allowing personnel the opportunity to experience demanding and hostile situations in a safe training environment.

Royal Air Force Lyneham
www.raf.mod.uk/raflyneham
with thanks to Flt Lt Kerry Shardlow
Media Communications Officer RAF Lyneham
Home to the mighty Hercules, affectionately named "Fat Albert"
Wiltshire's airbase, working around the clock, come rain or shine 'First in and Last out'