News Beat
Here’s why you might see military jets over County Durham next week
From Monday (January 19) until February 6, RAF Leeming in North Yorkshire will launch helicopters for an exercise, which will see aircrafts flying low and at night.
As part of the exercise, there will also be some increased jet movement during the day on January 26 and 27, and February 2 and 3.
Communities are being reminded that some flying may occur into the evening, with higher-than-usual aircraft activity expected throughout the training period.
A spokesperson for the RAF emphasised that the exercise is crucial for the UK to develop tactics and ensure readiness in multinational air operations.
A spokesperson for the RAF said: “There will be increased movement by aircraft operating from RAF Leeming from January 19 to February 6.
“The station will be hosting helicopters for an exercise which will include low and late flying. There will also be some increased jet movement during daylight hours on 26/27 Jan and 2/3 February.
“We understand our responsibility as good neighbours to inform the local community of such events that are additional to our normal flying activities, and every effort will be made to keep the disturbance to a minimum.”
This comes after increased aircraft activity in September and October last year, which saw RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire serve as the central hub for exercise Cobra Warrior, which saw an increase in jets and other aircraft over North Yorkshire, County Durham and parts of the North East.
On that occasion, exercise Cobra Warrior saw participation from several allied nations, including the German Air Force, Italian Air Force, Royal Canadian Air Force, Royal Navy and the United States Air Force, alongside the Royal Air Force, British Army and Draken Europe.
In total, up to 90 military aircraft took part.
