THE sound of artillery was heard across Northumberland National Park last Thursday as the Army took part in an intensive training exercise at Otterburn Military Training Camp.

Armed forces from the 1st Artillery Brigade were joined by French and Danish troops as part of the two-week exercise, Steel Sabre.

Using live firing and simulated training, the exercise helped the troops achieve Special to Arm Collective Training Level 3.

Brigadier John Mead, commander of the 1st Artillery Brigade, which is based in Tidworth but has units all over the country, including Albemarle Barracks at Harlow Hill, said: “We are made very welcome in this part of the world. It’s a beautiful training area and we don’t take that for granted.

“We are preparing for operations and for readiness.

“The regiments here were doing lower level training in January and February and then were here for Steel Sabre before moving up to higher level collective training.

“The Northumberland training area works really well because it’s quite a routine training area. We’re hugely lucky.”

Steel Sabre involved 1,400 troops from both the regular and reserve parts of the British Army, bringing all the components of an effective artillery group together to train in delivering firepower on the battlefield.

Troops used AS90 self-propelled guns and L118 light guns.

Commander of the multiple launch rocket system was Sergeant Steven Greenwell, of the 101st Regiment Royal Artillery. He is based at a unit in Blyth.

As a reserve, Sgt. Greenwell is required to complete a minimum commitment of 27 days per year. He also works as a business development manager at Keith Pattinson estate agents in Prudhoe.

After completing a Steel Sabre training exercise, he said: “I am in charge of the multiple launch rocket system.

“We get a call and have to react to that call for fire from troops on the ground.

“As soon as we fire, the enemy will be able to locate our position, so it has to be very quick, fully practised and coordinated.

“This is a fantastic training area and a very synchronised operation.”

As part of the exercise, the soldiers experienced the latest ‘dome simulators’ which provide training, before moving on to live firing supported by F-15 fighter jets overhead, replicating real life battle conditions.

Steel Sabre prepares some of the troops for their role as part of NATO’s Very High Readiness Joint Task Force, which is expecting to deploy to Poland and Estonia.