Sir,

I am writing to inform you of the results on an investigation into an allegation that Manorbier is at risk from friendly missile fire, as reported in the Tenby Observer last week.

A member of the public did telephone the range during the evening of October 8, 2002, to report that a missile had appeared to pass close to her as she was walking on the coast path near the range at 1624 hours.

Manorbier Range maintains an official log to record all range activity; the entries in the log for October 02 do not record any unusual incident, but do confirm that a missile was launched at approximately 1624 hours.

The personnel who were on duty in the Control Tower have been interviewed; the relevant points are:

• The missile and target were inside the range danger area throughout the engagement.

• The missile was destroyed over the sea and did not impact on land.

• There is no evidence to show that this missile firing was not a normal missile engagement.

The missile fired on this occasion was a Stinger. The initial flight path followed by a Stinger missile can be spiral, which could alarm someone who is not familiar with this type of firing.

The original complainant was contacted by the range, two days after the incident, and advised of the results of the investigation.

It must be stressed that all military training is subjected to a rigorous risk assessment and hazard analysis process and that no members of the public are at risk from current or future training conducted at Manorbier Range.   Maj (Retd) J. B. W. Warburton, Commandant, Air Defence Range Manorbier.