THE ARMY will be using the Castlemartin Ranges, in Pembrokeshire, for a large-scale Exercise in June and July 2024, it was confirmed this week

Exercise CABRIT TEMPEST, which runs from the 24th June to the 5th July, will provide critical training for the Royal Dragoon Guards Battlegroup, who are set to deploy in September on a NATO Operation in Estonia.

The Castlemartin Training Area will host live-firing, tactical battlegroup-level exercises involving multiple Armoured Fighting Vehicles and the site plays a key role in maintaining full training capability for units within the UK.

This exercise will see the training area in use by around 1,000 personnel with heavy transport travelling to and from the area, including Challenger 2 tanks and Warrior infantry fighting vehicles.

Consideration to local residents remains a priority and any disruption will be kept to a minimum. Firing times will be published widely within the local community to help minimise disruption.

The Defence Training Estate plays a vital role in providing a safe place to train ensuring our Armed Forces are prepared and ready to deploy on operations at home and abroad. Castlemartin Ranges are managed by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation, supported by Landmarc Support Services, who provide the facilities for the delivery of military training.

Deputy Commander Defence Training Estate – Wales and West Midlands Paul Snelling said: “Our most important job is to provide the ‘safe place’ for military training and to ensure our personnel and the public don’t come to harm. We ask that the public always follow our simple steps when visiting MOD land to help keep themselves and our armed forces safe: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/safe-access.

“Castlemartin Ranges provide essential training opportunities for large scale exercises, such as this, which supports the training of military personnel from multiple units. We are grateful to the local population for their continued support.”

The unit undertaking the training, The Royal Dragoon Guards, is an Armoured Cavalry Regiment, currently equipped with the Warrior Armoured Fighting Vehicle. It is a reconnaissance force, fighting at the front of the British Army’s armoured formations. The Battlegroup also includes elements from The Royal Tank Regiment, Royal Engineers and Royal Horse Artillery.

Captain Oliver Grell, The Royal Dragoon Guards, said: “This training exercise is the climax of our pre-deployment training, bringing together the technical gunnery preparation which has taken place on the ranges, and the tactical exercises which were carried out on Salisbury Plain earlier this year and in 2023. This exercise is the only occasion, and Castlemartin the only place in the UK, where we can combine the tactical setting of an exercise with live firing from our vehicles, along with artillery.

“The experience we will gain from completing this training successfully will be instrumental in allowing us to deploy ready to fulfil our commitments to our NATO allies.”

The public can find out more about the exercise by visiting the GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) website and searching ‘Castlemartin firing notices’. A public briefing will also be held prior to the exercise at 18.30hrs on the 13th June at Castlemartin Camp (SA71 5EB) and post exercise on the 10th July at 18.30hrs. Pre booking is not required for either event.