British hold military exercises in Gibraltar

WAR.WIRE

British hold military exercises in Gibraltar
GIBRALTAR, Jan 23 (AFP) Jan 23, 2006
Britain is carrying out a week-long series of air and sea training exercises using forces stationed in the British territory claimed by Spain on the southern Spanish coast, a military spokesman said Monday.

"RAF Gibraltar will be expecting a higher than usual concentration of military movement on the airfield and surrounding areas," the spokesman said.

The exercise will involve aircraft from Britain and naval and military support, with frigate HMS Kent in Gibraltar supported by vessels from the Gibraltar Squadron.

Nimrod aircraft will carry out crew training involving runway approaches and there will also be a number of parachute drops into the bay as part of regular joint parachute training exercises involving C130 Hercules aircraft and elements of 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery.

"During the week, RAF Gibraltar will also be hosting two Hawk flying training aircraft and a Falcon passenger jet," said a spokesman for British Forces Gibraltar.