The Ministry of Defence has announced that a medium-scale air exercise will take place over the UK on July 18 and 19. The exercise, code named 'Wycombe Warrior', is designed to provide training for, and to test, a number of procedures and will involve ground and sea assets as well as air components. Seven nations, including the UK, USA, Germany, Norway, France, Italy and Belgium, will take part in this exercise which will involve up to 80 aircraft sorties a day. A number of different aircraft types will be taking part and observers may see Mirage, Phantom, F-16 and A10 aircraft, as well the more familiar Tornadoes, Harriers and Typhoon. The list is not exhaustive and a number of helicopter types will also participate in Wycombe Warrior. Flying is expected to take place across much of the UK's airspace and operations can be expected over parts of Wales on each day from 8.30 am through until 4 am. Similarly, flying across the Marches and the West and South Midlands can be expected each day from 8.30 am through until 3 am. These times are approximate and may vary in the event of inclement weather or aircraft availability. Some flying will take place at low level, but this will be the minimum required to achieve the essential aims of the exercise and any disturbance is regretted.
