Typhoons set for Olympics exercise 02.05.12
20RAF Typhoon jets arrived at an air base in London today ahead of a major military exercise to test security for the Olympic Games.
It is the first time fighter aircraft have been stationed at RAF Northolt in west London since the Second World War.
The Typhoons will take part in Exercise Olympic Guardian, a nine-day training operation over the skies of the capital and the home counties that runs from May 2 until May 10.
Military chiefs have warned that people in south-east England will notice an increase in air activity at certain times, in particular this weekend.
Other aircraft involved in the exercise include Royal Navy Sea King helicopters temporarily based at RAF Northolt, RAF Puma helicopters based at a Territorial Army centre in Ilford, east London, and Army and Royal Navy Lynx helicopters on HMS Ocean in the Thames.
Defence Secretary Phillip Hammond said:
"Whilst there is no specific threat to the Games, we have to be ready to assist in delivering a safe and secure Olympics for all to enjoy.
"The fact that our state-of-the-art Typhoons will be stationed at RAF Northolt underlines the commitment of the Ministry of Defence and our armed forces to keeping the public safe at a time when the world will be watching us."
Air Vice-Marshal Stuart Atha, air component commander for Olympics air security, said:
"We have sought to limit the amount of flying to the minimum required to ensure that our forces are ready for their important role delivering air security for the Olympics, balancing this against the need for us to reduce disturbance to a minimum."
The Stop the War Coalition said such a heavy military presence in London was "unacceptable" and warned it would create a "climate of fear".
The group's Lindsey German said:
"Far from safeguarding Londoners as they go about their daily lives, they will bring a real fear of explosions and the prospect of these places becoming a target for terrorist attack."