Defence of the Realm starts hereThank goodness we wil still be away from the Borders for Operation Joint Warrior which is due to raise the Merse Decibel Count very shortly.
As reported in the Berwickshire:
BERWICKSHIRE MP Michael Moore is advising residents of a military exercise that will take place between April 21 and May 1 which will involve a significant increase in low flying over the area.
The exercise, known as Joint Warrior, will involve units from all three branches of the UK armed forces as well as invited NATO and Allied Nations. Its aim is to equip these forces with the skills and expertise necessary to deal with multiple threats.
Thirty-eight ships, two submarines and up to 45 aircraft from the UK, NATO and Allied Nations will operate from various bases in Scotland.
Commenting in advance of the exercise, Mr Moore said: "We all realise the importance of equipping our armed forces with the skills and expertise required for active combat. In my experience, people in the Borders are extremely supportive of our armed forces and the vital job that they do in protecting us.
"However, it is important that disruption is kept to an absolute minimum, and the MoD lives up to its promise to ensure careful coordination of flying throughout the period to ensure that aircraft activity is spread as evenly as possible to minimise the impact on any one area.
"If anyone has any questions or concerns that arise from this exercise, I would be happy to take them up with the MoD."
Any one bothered by planes flying really low ie under 100 feet-can feel free to ring the MOD/RAF complaints line without bothering Mr Moore. We actually did this once after a F16 had flown between our chimney pots giving one hell of a fright to Rosie the Cat, both visiting Pheasants and prematurely de-gooseberrying our best bush.
We contacted a a very sympathetic retired Squadron Leader on the line who took all the details whilst expressing dismay that we had not been able to take down the registration number of the offending aircraft. Three months later we received a nice letter signed by a very senior RAF officer apologising for disrupting our Grouse Moor-shome misshtake shumewhere, presumably.
A submarine aground in the Whiteadder might be taken more seriously?
Labels: Low Flying Merse, Rosie the Cat
