UPDATED: Fast jet and helicopter pilots are being put through their paces in the skies of North Yorkshire as part of a major training exercise in preparation for this year’s Olympic Games.
The Royal Air Force and Royal Navy aircraft are involved in a drill aimed at ensuring the British Armed Forces play an effective supporting role in the police-led security effort.
Codenamed Exercise Taurus Mountain 1, the exercise will see military aircrafts practice operating alongside one another, including two GROB Tutor aircraft from RAF Leeming as well as Typhoon jets, Puma helicopters, Lynx helicopters, a Sea King SkASACD helicopter, and Sentry E-3D.
The exercise could be the cause of a loud bang heard in the Harrogate area today.
A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said: “It is thought that the loud bang was the result of a sonic boom caused by a low-flying aircraft. Geological experts confirmed that there was no earthquake recorded in the area and the Met Office confirmed that there were no major weather problems that could have caused the bang. Officers have not found any evidence of an explosion or any other incident that may have caused the loud noise some people heard.”
Secretary of State for Defence, Phillip Hammond said of the drill: “People should be reassured by these exercises. Our military personnel are already trained to incredibly high standards but are honing their skills yet further to ensure safe Olympic Games for the UK this year.”
Wing Commander Paul Godfrey, in charge of operations at RAF Coningsby, said: “We take great pride in the fact that we have a key role to play in providing airspace security for the Olympics.
“Typhoon is a very potent fighter aircraft - among the most modern and capable of any air force in the world. I know that the Typhoon force – many of whom have recently returned for combat operations over Libya – will discharge their duties with great professionalism as part of Defence’s overall mission to provide secure Olympic and Paralympic Games.”
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