One of Europe's largest military operations set to start in North of Scotland this weekend
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The north of Scotland is set to host elements of a major UK-led multinational exercise when Exercise Joint Warrior gets under way.
One of the largest military exercises of its kind in Europe, Joint Warrior 212, which incorporates Dynamic Mariner 21, will run from this Saturday (September 18) to September 30.
The training operation which runs twice a year usually leads to a rise in military aircraft flying over Sutherland.
Eleven NATO nations will be taking part, bringing 25 warships, three submarines, over 30 aircraft and around 6,750 military personnel including 500 ground troops to military ranges across the country and to maritime exercise areas.
Forces from the UK, Netherlands, Canada, Belgium, Portugal, Spain, France, Norway, Latvia, Germany and United States are involved.
Exercise activity will include:
* Twenty-five naval units the nations participating around the Scottish coast.
* Mine Countermeasure (MCM) vessels will conduct mine hunting exercises in areas around Campbeltown, Loch Ewe, Gruinard Bay, Loch Broom, Little Loch Broom, Enard Bay and Shiant Bank.
* Amphibious operations will take place in the vicinity of Loch Ewe (on private land), Loch Goil and Kyle of Lochalsh.
Around 30 aircraft will take part in the exercise with some of them operating from RAF Lossiemouth and Prestwick Airport (previously HMS Gannet).
A Royal Navy spokesperson said: "Exercise Joint Warrior is linked directly with the NATO Military Training Exercise Programme and brings together all three UK Armed Forces – the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force – along with the other participating countries, to provide high quality training opportunities and improve joint operations between the UK and its allies.
"Participants will practice a wide range of capabilities across land, sea and air in coordinated joint operations with other allied nations with the scenario of the exercise mirroring a broad range of crisis and conflict situations which could realistically be experienced in real-world operations.
"Over the fortnight, participants will be faced with a period of increasing political and military tensions, along with a huge range of realistic military tasks such as intelligence gathering and reconnaissance; anti-smuggling and counter-terrorism operations; humanitarian assistance and evacuation operations."
All units involved in the exercise will observe the Covid 19 control measures provided by the Scottish Government.
Exercise planning staff have liaised with a wide variety of communities and organisations ahead of Strike Warrior in order to minimise the impact of military activity.
Organisations consulted include HM Coastguard, Marine Scotland, The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA); National Air Traffic Services (NATS); Highlands and Islands Airports Authority; Scottish and Northern Irish fishery organisations; and several environmental agencies and groups.
