AIRMEN and 999 crews will be putting themselves and their procedures to the test later this month.

RAF Leeming personnel will be joining forces with regional emergency services to test vital crash response procedures on August 27 and 28.

The exercise has been organised in conjunction with organisations such as North Yorkshire Police, North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue, Yorkshire Ambulance Service and the Environment Agency.

And local people are being warned the exercise will result in the movement of vehicles, in the area immediately surrounding the base.

The RAF says locals may also notice an increase in noise and some brief patches of smoke during the exercise but insist there is no cause for alarm.

“Whilst flying is a highly safe activity, incidents do inevitably occur and it is within the station’s duty of care to prepare for any potential eventuality,” said a spokesman.

“We understand our responsibility as good neighbours to inform the local community of such events that are additional to our normal flying activities and every effort will be made to keep the disturbance to a minimum.”

The exercise will not continue overnight.