THE Estonian Defence Forces annual exercise Spring Storm (Kevadtorm) has begun this week with the King’s Royal Hussars led NATO Battlegroup in the forefront. The exercise will be held in Estonia's Lääne-Viru and Ida-Viru counties and involve some 10,000 troops.

A new French contingent of some 300 personnel has arrived and they will also bring in five Leclerc-type tanks as well as infantry fighting vehicles.

Including the Estonian Defence Forces' own resources as well as allied equipment currently in the area, there are currently some 300 tanks and armoured vehicles in Estonia.

Britain has beefed up its contribution with the arrival of RAF Typhoon fighters from RAF Coningsby and also five British Army Air Corps Apaches from 663 Squadron left their home base at Wattisham in Suffolk on 15 April, two days after four AAC Wildcats from 661 Sqn left Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton in Somerset.

Other local troops deployed include troops from 127 (Dragon) Battery of Larkhill based 19 Regiment RA, the Scottish Gunners with three AS90 self-propelled howitzers.

New museum displays

The Tank Museum in Dorset has opened its new exhibition marking the 80th anniversary of the formation of the Royal Armoured Corps (RAC).

It was formed before it was known that the country would be at war six months later and Bovington is still the home of tank training.

The exhibition tells the story of some of the men who fought in the RAC regiments during the Second World War and includes four 1940s-era tanks.

Colonel Dame Kelly Holmes was present and spoke to the veterans who had been invited for the opening.

She said: “When I came here last, I brought my family. For those not attached to the military it is very, very special to see the history here.

The Museum of Army Flying at Middle Wallop has taken off again after a £2.5 million-pound restoration project.

The renovations, which lasted around five months, have led to new aircraft, exhibits and lighting and interactive displays being installed at the site.

The aim of the refurbishment was to make it more accessible, interactive and a true up to date twenty-first century attraction.

Bishops boys commissioned

Congratulations to the three former Bishop Wordsworth’s School pupils who were commissioned into the Regular Army at the recent Sovereign’s Parade at Sandhurst. D Clifton and A Moody joined the Royal Signals and E Mercer the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers