Expect increased military presence this week

County residents can expect increased military presence this week as Exercise Bullseye gets under way until month-end.

Bullseye is a Commonwealth Tactical Air Transport exercise with participation from Australia, the United Kingdom and Canada. New Zealand is attending as observers.

During the exercise, there will be an increase day and night in CC-130J Hercules air traffic between 8 Wing Trenton, Mountain View airfield, and Garrison Petawawa as participants practice tactical flight maneuvers and air drops.

Lieutenant Karyn Blanchette, 8 Wing Public Affairs says that in order to increase realism and training value for all participants, Exercise Bullseye will employ Joint Man-Portable Air Defense System (JMANPADS), an electronic warfare training tool, to simulate an electronic threat signal received on the CC-130J sensors which will trigger tactical procedures by the aircrew.

“While JMANPADS appear similar to various offensive weaponry, they are inert, electronic training tools and do not pose a threat to the public,” she said.