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. |
