News

C17-Globemaster aircraft spotted flying low over Pembrokeshire

Published

4 years ago

May 24, 2022

THE C17-GLOBEMASTER aircraft was seen over the county yesterday with many reporting it was flying very low. (May 24)

The huge plane had made the journey from the RAF Brize Norton, in Oxfordshire, and was roaring at low altitude across the county as part of a training exercise – but just off the coast of Pembrokeshire another plane ran into trouble.

RAF C-17 Globemaster over Milford Haven (Image Pete Sharpe)

The military issued an emergency after an Airbus Voyager KC3 was squawking the emergency call 7700 after refuelling over AARA 12 – an area of sea to the south of Pembrokeshire.

The second aircraft, which was travelling at an altitude of 2250 feet and a speed of 139kmh, has now returned to Brize Norton.

Operating using callsign TARTN19, the aircraft is using model code A332.

A emergency signal 7700 indicates to all air traffic control(ATC) in the area that the aircraft is in an emergency situation.

However, it is up to the crew of the relevant aircraft to inform ATC what the emergency situation is.

Airbus Voyager KC3 on a refueling exercise (Image RAF)

RAF Brize Norton took to Facebook to say: “Our C17-Globemaster aircraft will be operating whilst engaged in essential training.

Regards the second plane, the Airbus Voyager KC3 is a large multi role refuelling tanker transport based on the civilian Airbus A330.

The Voyager is the RAF’s only air-to-air refuelling (AAR) tanker and also operates as strategic air transport.
Fuel is kept in the aircraft’s standard wing and fuselage tanks this leaves room for 291 crew and freight in the hold.

Voyager is also able to act as a passenger aircraft in much the same way as a civilian airliner.

The flights came as personnel from across the Air Mobility Force have been supporting Exercise Swift Response in North Macedonia – the UK’s contribution to the broader NATO deterrence Exercise, Defender Europe.

Led by the C-130J Hercules force, personnel from Nos. 47 Squadron and XXIV Squadron conducted in-depth planning alongside C-17 crews from No. 99 Squadron, culminating in the first ever long-range, O2 high-altitude parachute insertion by a UK C-17. Utilising techniques developed by No. 206 Squadron Test & Evaluation crews for all Air Mobility platforms, this enabled 16 Air Assault Brigade Pathfinders to initiate the exercise – all on time, on target.

The first ever long-range, O2 high-altitude parachute insertion by a UK C-17 (Image MOD)

Remaining in country, the C-130J has been conducting multiple low level parachuting drops, concentrating forces from the Parachute Regiment into the exercise area. Finally, they have followed up with airborne delivery of heavy equipment supplies, utilising the Container Delivery System method of air despatch. This saw personnel from 47 Air Despatch Squadron, Royal Logistic Corps working alongside their US Army counterparts to rig the containers for despatch – including quad bikes, water and rations to support the troops on the ground.

A hugely joint exercise, it has been enabled by personnel from Airborne Delivery Wing Air Operations, Survival Equipment Section, UK Mobile Air Movements Squadron, the Mobile Meteorological Unit and 16 Air Assault’s Air Cell – all working round the clock to ensure the crews can prosecute their drop zone objectives and that the troops and kit land safely for the work to begin.

It should be especially noted, that despite the C-130J scheduled to go out of RAF service next year, it is still playing a decisive part in operational exercises such as these – and will continue to do so. Ex Swift Response 22 has been conducted alongside the Hercules’ continuous operational and national standby commitments, an Ex Red Flag-Alaska deployment and UK maritime aerial delivery trials – a testament to the engineers that maintain this incredible aircraft, the planners that organise it all and the crews that fly it with such passion.

Crime

Broad Haven man remanded in custody over sexual harm prevention order breach

Published

15 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Court Reporter

Defendant admitted using Xbox without informing police as required under court order

ANTHONY COOMBES, aged 26, of Sand Banks, Broad Haven, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Mar 20) charged with breaching a sexual harm prevention order.

The court heard that between February 26 and March 19, 2026, at Haverfordwest, Coombes repeatedly breached the order by using an Xbox device without informing police within three days, as required.

The offences relate to a sexual harm prevention order imposed at Swansea Crown Court on October 20, 2021.

Coombes indicated guilty pleas to the offences at the first hearing.

Magistrates committed the case to Swansea Crown Court for sentence.

He was remanded in custody ahead of the next hearing, which is due to take place at 9:00am on Friday, April 3, at Swansea Crown Court.

The court refused bail on the grounds that he was likely to offend, citing the nature and seriousness of the offences and his previous record and character.

A pre-sentence report was ordered.

News

Man arrested after suspected drugs-related death in Haverfordwest

Published

15 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Police say death not suspicious as 46-year-old arrested over alleged Class A drug supply

A MAN has died following a medical emergency at a property in Haverfordwest, police have confirmed.

Emergency services were called at 3:18pm on Wednesday (March 18) after a report of a medical incident.

A man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Dyfed-Powys Police said the man’s next of kin have been informed and are being supported by officers.

The death is not being treated as suspicious at this time.

However, police confirmed that a man, aged 46, was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.

He has since been released under investigation while enquiries continue.

No further details about the deceased have been formally released.

Crime

Illegal dog breeders ordered to pay over £129,000 after council probe

Published

16 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

FOUR people from Mynyddygarreg, Kidwelly, have been ordered to pay more than £129,000 following a successful prosecution for illegal dog breeding.

At Swansea Crown Court on Tuesday (Mar 10), before His Honour Judge Thomas KC, Stacey May June Edwards, Peter John Edwards, Sian Eleri Thomas and David Malcolm James Thomas, all of Sea Breeze, Mynyddygarreg, pleaded guilty to offences under the Breeding of Dogs (Wales) Regulations 2014.

The court imposed confiscation orders totalling £129,873.41 under the Proceeds of Crime Act across the four defendants. They were also ordered to pay £8,000 in costs, while each defendant received a £2,000 fine.

The investigation began in April 2021 after Carmarthenshire County Council’s Animal Health team received an enquiry from Peter Edwards about obtaining a dog breeding licence. Although licensing guidance was provided and a partial application was submitted in February 2022, this was later withdrawn.

In March 2024, the council received a complaint that puppies were being advertised for sale without the required licence. Officers subsequently contacted online advertising platforms and issued data requests to assess the scale of activity.

Analysis of records from Pets4Homes, Freeads and Gumtree revealed multiple litters being advertised by members of the same household.

Correspondence under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act confirmed that up to 25 dogs were kept at the property, including between 16 and 19 breeding females.

While some defendants claimed joint ownership of the dogs, others attempted to minimise their involvement.

The Herald understands that numerous puppy advertisements were posted between July 2020 and April 2025, demonstrating a sustained pattern of unlicensed breeding.

Carmarthenshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Decarbonisation and Sustainability, Cllr Aled Vaughan Owen, said: “This case demonstrates the council’s firm stance against unlicensed and illegal dog breeding.

“These regulations are in place to protect animal welfare and ensure that breeding activities are subject to proper oversight. The scale of activity uncovered at this property was entirely unacceptable, and we welcome the court’s decision to issue significant confiscation orders under POCA.”

He added: “We urge anyone with concerns about illegal dog breeding to report it. Our Animal Health officers will continue to investigate thoroughly and take action against those who disregard the law.”

Residents are reminded that anyone breeding and selling dogs must comply with licensing regulations designed to protect both animal welfare and consumers.