The Ministry of Defence currently uses 5 Air Weapon Ranges for essential operational training: Donna Nook and Holbeach in Lincolnshire Pembrey Sands in Carmarthenshire Tain in Ross-shire Cape Wrath in Sutherland.
The Ministry of Defence has released an updated schedule for various air weapons ranges throughout the country for the month of August.
This comprehensive guide includes specified operating hours for Donna Nook, Holbeach, Pembrey Sands, Tain, and Cape Wrath, inclusive of Garvie Island. The MoD urges the public to bear in mind that these schedules may be subject to change and activities could be extended due to exceptional circumstances.
At Donna Nook, summer activity hours from 1 May to 31 August are from 9am to 4.30pm on weekdays, with operations wrapping up at 3pm on Fridays. The range remains closed over the weekend. During the winter season, from 1 September to 30 April, activities on Mondays and Wednesdays extend until 10pm.
Holbeach operates from 9am to 5pm Monday to Thursday, with activity ending at midday on Fridays throughout the summer. In winter, activities extend to 10pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Pembrey Sands maintains a steady schedule during summer, with activities from 9am to 5pm Monday to Thursday, and closing at 2pm on Fridays. The winter schedule follows similar timings, but activities conclude an hour earlier from Monday to Thursday.
The Tain Air Weapons Range carries out operations from 9am to 10pm from Monday to Thursday year-round, with activities on Fridays ending at 2pm.
However, the MoD has published a detailed firing schedule for Tain Air Weapons Range for August 2023, indicating that certain dates may have extended activity until 11.59pm. There are no activities scheduled on certain dates, including the 5th, 6th, 12th, 13th, 19th, 20th, and 27th of August.
Members of the public are advised to stay alert for visual warning signals, such as red flags or lights, which indicate ongoing live firing exercises. The potential use of blank ammunition and pyrotechnics can occur at any time, even when warning signals are not displayed. The MoD strongly advises the public to heed all signs and warnings before entering these areas.
The MoD currently utilises five air weapon ranges for essential operational training, including Donna Nook and Holbeach in Lincolnshire, Pembrey Sands in Carmarthenshire, Tain in Ross-shire, and Cape Wrath in Sutherland.
The MoD is aware of potential disturbances to local residents and commits to publishing notifications of any pre-planned extended operating hours at the earliest opportunity. When an Air Weapons Range is not in use, the airspace above it reverts to Class G status, meaning it is freely available to all airspace users, both civilian and military. These updates aim to keep the surrounding communities informed and allow them to plan accordingly.
For interest, headline photo shows Garvie Island, part of Cape Wrath range.
And a Tornado!
Indeed! Another thought occurring to me re these ranges, the RAF comb Donna Nook prior to use due to the Seals which bask there.
As weapon ranges increase are the existing ranges big enough for these newer weapons ? I always thought that the big stretch of open Ocean in the South Atlantic between the Falklands and South Gerogia would make a good exercise area, come weapons range.
Some of these are instrumented for land attack and other uses. The instrumentation used to be fixed although I think a lot more of the telemetry is portable now.
So if it is for checking accuracy and reproducibility.
There are often towed targets used for live fire at sea.
We have a bigger area, Cardigan Bay, and the Aberporth facility.
Re-open Chesil’ and Otmoor!
Thought Otmoor was still about!? Tiny little small arms range in the Cotswolds if I recall.
Chesil….Chesil beach?
Once upon a time there was a raft moored out in the Bay which was attacked with 25 Pounders. (Practice Bombs, not Guns) Range was known colloquially as Chesil’.
Going small? I raise you….Ross-on-Wye! For testing Storm Shadow! 😆
I believe Otmoor was used for testing “Oboe” but that was before even my time’
Now you’ve lost me. Oboe?
Bombing Aid’ used by the PFF in WW2. Try Wiki’.
Right, ta.
😂🤣😂🤣 don’t bomb Ross. It’s a great little town.
LOL. No mate, the small range just outside of it most likely used by “them”