Up to 1000 troops and equipment have become airborne in the past few weeks as the Army tests its rapid reaction capability - to ensure the UK is ready for anything in the world at five days’ notice. For the past two weeks, around 1500 troops and 500 vehicles from Colchester-based 16 Air Assault Brigade, the Army’s premier rapid reaction fighting brigade, has been conducting Exercise Eagles Eye. One of the major events of the exercise took place today (Tuesday 24 July) as 300 troops conducted a parachute jump onto Salisbury Plain from Hercules aircraft. The jump centred around the Battle Group of 2nd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment (2 PARA) supported by elements from a number of support units in 16 Air Asslt Bde including artillery, engineers, medics, signallers, and military police. These elements make up what is known as the Airborne Task Force (ABTF), a capability that ensures the Army can respond quickly to incidents around the world. In addition, several other parachute drops have taken place dropping vehicles, equipment and supplies. Brigadier Mark Carleton-Smith, the Commander of 16 Air Asslt Bde, said: “16 Air Assault Brigade has to be ready to deploy anywhere in the world at five days’ notice to move, and in order to fulfil this role it is vital the Brigade practices its essential aviation and air assault skills to maintain operational capability.” Two RAF Hercules C130 aircraft drop 160 men along the five kilometre DZ near Imber Village.

Iowa National Guard Airmen from the 132nd Crash Fire and Rescue Squadron, stationed at Des Moines International Airport set up equipment in response to a mock civil disaster June 18 in the city. They are supporting emergency exercise scenarios for the Vigilant Guard Iowa exercise. This portion of the exercise simulated a train derailment that released toxic chemicals and is designed to enhance the preparedness of the local, state, federal and military responders to perform roles and responsibilities related to homeland defense and military support to civil authorities. (Photo by Master Sgt. Mike R. Smith, National Guard Bureau) (Released)