MAJOR ARMY EXERCISE IN SOUTH WEST

As many as 5,000 troops are to take part in one of the largest Army exercises in the UK later this month. 

Centred on Salisbury Plain, and Sennybridge in Wales, the [Operation HERRICK] Mission Rehearsal Exercise will take place from 28 January until 8th February 2008 and as well as the 5,000 personnel and there will be 500 vehicles from Colchester-based 16 Air Assault Brigade (16 AAB), the Army's premier rapid reaction fighting brigade.

There will also be air power as the exercise will include six Apache, two Lynx, one Sea King and up to four Chinook helicopters. Small numbers of fast jets will also support the exercise along with two Hercules transport aircraft. The exercise will also use the disused airfield at Hullavington in Wiltshire.

Brigadier Mark Carleton-Smith, the brigade Commander said: "16 Air Assault Brigade has to be ready to deploy anywhere in the world and rehearsing key skills is an essential element in maintaining operational capability.  This is an operationally focussed Brigade that has most recently deployed to Helmand Province Afghanistan.''

Many of the troops involved will come from Colchester Garrison, with others from Wattisham and Canterbury.

Every effort is made to ensure that noisy activity is limited to normal training times. In principle, flying hours have been limited to between 7am and 11pm during the week with only limited flying on weekends. However, on some occasions flying will be conducted throughout the night.

Exercise planners have made every effort to avoid over-flying sensitive and built-up areas. Ground activity will take place on military training areas during the day and night and over the weekend. While everything possible will be done to keep to the published plan, weather restrictions may necessitate slippage of some dates and venues.

Local MPs, parish councils, police, the AA and other interested parties have been contacted in advance of the exercise.

Brig Carleton-Smith said: "While the Army appreciates that this exercise will cause some minor disruption and inconvenience to people in the local area we would ask for their co-operation and understanding to ensure that the Army maintains its genuine operational effectiveness."

Details of the low flying aspects of the exercise will be posted on the website: www.mod.uk/issues/lowflying and the Brigade will publish details about the exercise on its own website: http://www.army.mod.uk/16_air_asslt_bde/main_menu.htm