Around 100 soldiers and an RAF Chinook helicopter have been deployed to assist the Manchester Fire & Rescue Service on Saddleworth Moor.
The soldiers, from 4th Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland, will deploy from their barracks in Catterick, and will operate out of a nearby Army Training Centre.
The RAF Chinook will arrive later today from RAF Odiham in Hampshire, and will airlift heavy equipment including water pumps.
Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson made the below statement:
“I pay tribute to our Armed Forces’ professionalism, dedication and sense of duty. They are proving once again that Britain can always depend on our troops to protect us no matter the time, no matter the place, and no matter the problem”
Saddleworth Moor is an area of the Peak District, situated in Greater Manchester. The fire broke out on 24th June, however began to burn out of control on the 26th and was declared a major incident.
Later that day, 150 people were evacuated from the surrounding area. Late last night, 29 fire engines and more than 100 firefighters were at the scene of the fire. The Manchester Fire & Rescue Service made the decision to request military support.
Just goes to show the important work the armed forces do even in peace time. On a side not, i hope the MoD gets reimbursed for costs incurred during this deployment but i doubt it.
Agreed with the above. Could be a useful exercise for Odiham if they have a few crews who need to brush up on their skills with under slung loads, mush more interesting than going round and round the airfield just picking up and putting down the same load over and over.
Too late though! They should have been here on Monday!!!