Military exercise for the Hebrides

The Hebrides will help host the largest tactically focused military exercise in Europe from October 1-12 when Exercise Joint Warrior begins.

The tri-service, multi-national  exercise which is held twice a year, will see participation from 27 separate naval units, 40 aircraft and a variety ofUKand allied land forces.

Taking part in the exercise will be ships from theUK, US,Belgium,Germany,Holland,France,Norway,DenmarkandEstonia, many operating from theClyde.

Royal Navy ships involved include Type 23 Frigates, HMS Kent and HMS St Albans, and mine hunters Her Majesty’s Ships Penzance, Cattistock, Hurworth andBangor.

Planned primarily by Royal Navy and RAF personnel from the Joint Tactical Exercise Planning Staff, or JTEPS, the headquarters for the exercise will be at HM Naval BaseClyde..

Around 150 tri-service personnel, many of them Reservists, will descend on the Naval Base for Joint Warrior, setting up a Joint Warfare Operations Centre (JWOC) to coordinate and manage the massive exercise.

Land troops will conduct military training at ranges acrossScotland, using Defence Training Estate range areas, commercial ranges, Highland Agency and private land areas. This will enable training for 16 Air Assault Brigade, 3 Commando Brigade and 3UKDivision, as well as troops from theUS,SwedenandHolland.

Meanwhile, RAF Leuchars will see eight Maritime Patrol aircraft fromCanadaandFranceoperate from the base, while a detachment of SwedishJAS-39 Gripen Jets, UK Hawks, Tornado GR4s and Typhoon will deploy from RAF Lossiemouth.

There will also be limited night and weekend flying from these bases during the exercise.

Exercise Joint Warrior allows the Armed Forces to practice the wide variety of skills needed by today’s military. Skills such as counter piracy, narcotics and insurgency operations, mine countermeasures, electronic warfare training and tactical intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance are all included.

The scenario for the exercise involves multiple sovereign nations, disputed territory, smuggling, piracy and terrorist activity. As it plays out the scenario will develop from a period of military and political tension to simulated war fighting and state on state hostilities – all providing realistic training for the participants.

GPSdenial operations will also be conducted in a limited area in North West Scotland during Joint Warrior. The relevant authorities, including aviation and maritime communities have been consulted and a risk assessment done to minimise the impact and put robust procedures in place for any unforeseen eventuality.

Some of the exercise areas overlap environmentally sensitive conservation zones. The MOD recognises the impact of military activity and takes its environmental responsibility seriously.

During the planning of the exercise, environment impact assessments have been produced when required, such as for the use of active sonar and live weapons. The environment is always considered when planning exercises and remains a primary consideration throughout planning and execution.

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