EXERCISE OLYMPIC GUARDIAN IMAGES

A large-scale military exercise, Exercise Olympic Guardian, is underway across London to test the governments security plan in support of the London 2012 Olympics. RAF fast jets have been stationed at RAF Northolt in London, the Royal Navy's largest warship (and helicopter carrier) HMS Ocean squeezed its way up the River Thames to berth at Greenwich and British Army surface-to-air missile batteries have sprung up at locations across London. Lots of images have been released by the media of this increased military activity in London. Here are some of my favourites:

An RAF Eurofighter Typhoon fighter preparing to land at RAF Northolt, ahead of Exercise Olympic Guardian:

 

RAF Eurofighter Typhoons sitting on the tarmac at RAF Northolt, where they are expected to be based for the games:

Two British Forces Chinooks flying low over the Olympic stadium in London. The airspace above the stadium is to be restricted airspace:

A man walks his dog in the presence of a Rapier surface-to-air missile battery:

I briefly discussed the deployment of SAM systems across London in this blog post.

The government is currently testing a number of potential sites across London to see how practical they are at temporarily hosting SAM systems. The SAM's are currently loaded with dummy missiles.

British Army personnel with a Starstreak high velocity missile launcher:

The Royal Navy's largest warship, HMS Ocean, squeezing her way through the Thames Barrier in order to passage up the River Thames to Greenwich where she is expected to berth for the games. Among her many duties during the games, HMS Ocean will act as a helicopter base for a number of British Army and Royal Navy Lynx helicopters which will carrying snipers.

Royal Navy fleet flagship, landing platform dock and amphibious assault ship, HMS Bulwark, exercising with various other ships in Weymouth where sailing events are to take place:

Police and Royal Marines exercising on the River Thames earlier in the year. These exercises were not part of the larger Exercise Olympic Guardian currently taking place. I love the Shard in the background:

Here is an ITV News report on the exercise:

Exercise Olympic Guardian is set to conclude on 10 May, 2012.