RAF Valley defends continuing flight training during coronavirus lockdown despite noise complaints

The RAF has defended the continuation of flight training during the coronavirus lockdown despite complaints of noise at a North Wales base.

Politicians on Anglesey say concerns have been raised over the social distancing measures being observed at RAF Valley, as well as complaints over the noise being generated by training flights for both Hawk jet and Texan aircraft during the lockdown.

Such concerns have prompted the island’s MP and MS to write to the Ministry of Defence, seeking assurances that travel to and from the base is limited to only critical journeys.

Virginia Crosbie MP wrote in a letter to Defence Secretary Ben Wallace that, while many residents are “immensely grateful for the economic and social benefits” of RAF Valley, several constituents had raised concerns over the base’s operation and how social distancing is being observed.

“Many constituents have deeply held concerns over the noise of several training flights for the Hawk jet and Texan aircraft over Anglesey during the lockdown period,” she said.

“Secondly, on behalf of many who have contacted me, I would like to seek reassurances from you that personnel at the base are maintaining strict social distancing, and that travel to and from the base from outside the island is limited to critical journeys only.

“We have to do all we can to prevent further outbreaks of the virus on the island.”

Rhun ap Iorwerth MS, in a separate letter, wrote: “Concerns have been raised with me that a significant number of trainee pilots may be travelling to and from RAF Valley every weekend – or at least, very regularly – from across the United Kingdom.

“Civilian staff say they are worried about the impact this might have on the local population in light of the current pandemic and how such arrangements may be at odds with restrictions against non-essential travel.”

A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that the delivery of all training remains under “constant review” but that efforts are in place to ensure disturbance is kept to an “absolute minimum.”

He said: “The RAF has to continue to conduct essential flying training in order to continue to maintain the supply of trained pilots to sustain operational capability. The delivery of all training will remain under constant review.

“RAF Valley remains a key operating base for the RAF and will play a key role in the future of the Armed Forces.

“The RAF is constantly striving to ensure that disturbance is kept to an absolute minimum and that the burden of noise pollution is distributed as evenly as possible.

“We do complete a large proportion of our training over the sea however, this is not always possible due to weather constraints or training requirements.”

Group Captain Chris Moon, Station Commander of RAF Valley, said the base takes the public health guidance very seriously, while delivering world class training to student pilots in order to get them to the RAF front line.

“Every single aspect of working at RAF Valley has been reviewed and many procedures amended, in order to take into account social distancing and other public health measures.

“We have dramatically reduced the footfall on station – where possible people are working from home – and we have implemented reduced or split shifts across many areas.

“We are extremely grateful for the support of the people of Anglesey and North Wales.

“I can assure them that we are conducting vital training to ensure the continued defence and security of the UK, and we stand by to assist the civilian authorities in the fight against Covid-19 when asked.”

By Gareth Williams – Local Democracy Reporter