Military gets final big test for London games
LONDON - Agence France-Presse
A Royal Air Force Typhoon jet, which will be used to defend the skies over the Olympic Games, tates off from the RAF Northolt airbase in west London. REUTERS photo
London launched a major military exercise yesterday to check security responses for the 2012 Olympics, as the final wave of test sports events got under way.Royal Air Force (RAF) Typhoon fighter jets flew into the British capital to herald the start of Exercise Olympic Guardian, a nine-day training operation to test the response to a possible attack from the air during the Games. Military helicopters were to be stationed around the capital, including some on the amphibious assault ship HMS Ocean in the River Thames, and others carrying sniper teams.
The Typhoons will be operating at RAF Northolt in west London -- the first time fighter aircraft have been stationed at the military airbase since World War II. AWACS surveillance planes and air-to-air refueling aircraft will also be airborne. “Whilst there is no specific threat to the Games, we have to be ready to assist in delivering a safe and secure Olympics for all to enjoy,” said Defense Secretary Philip Hammond.
