Olympic Games: RAF Typhoon jets have arrived at an air base in London ahead of a major military exercise to test security for the Olympic Games
It is the first time fighter aircraft have been stationed at RAF Northolt in west London since the Second World War.
The Typhoons will take part in Exercise Olympic Guardian, a nine-day training operation over the skies of the capital and the home counties that runs from today until May 10.
Military chiefs have warned that people in south-east England will notice an increase in air activity at certain times, in particular this weekend.
Other aircraft involved in the exercise include Royal Navy Sea King helicopters temporarily based at RAF Northolt, RAF Puma helicopters based at a Territorial Army centre in Ilford, east London, and Army and Royal Navy Lynx helicopters on HMS Ocean in the Thames.
Defence Secretary Phillip Hammond said: “Whilst there is no specific threat to the Games, we have to be ready to assist in delivering a safe and secure Olympics for all to enjoy.
“The fact that our state-of-the-art Typhoons will be stationed at RAF Northolt underlines the commitment of the Ministry of Defence and our armed forces to keeping the public safe at a time when the world will be watching us.”
Air Vice-Marshal Stuart Atha, air component commander for Olympics air security, said: “As we undertake this essential training, there will be a visible and audible presence of RAF Typhoon and military helicopters operating above greater London and the home counties.
“There will also be flights occurring throughout the exercise period, to allow pilots and other forces to become familiar with operating in the London and home counties air space.
“We have sought to limit the amount of flying to the minimum required to ensure that our forces are ready for their important role delivering air security for the Olympics, balancing this against the need for us to reduce disturbance to a minimum.
“But we hope that people will understand the need for this very important training, and we thank them for their continued strong support.”
Last month a sonic boom caused by two Typhoon aircraft responding to an emergency signal was reportedly heard as far afield as Bath, Coventry and Oxford.
Typhoon jets, which can travel at up to 1,370 miles per hour, were deployed to Libya last year.