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Yardley Chase Training Area: Northamptonshire’s hidden gem

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Conservation, Defence Training Estate (DTE), Environment and Ecology
A large pond bordered by green, grassy verges with trees growing near their edges

Yardley Chase Training Area in Northamptonshire is one of our lesser-known training areas, yet it’s truly a hidden gem. The site was recently showcased for its wildlife value in the nationally acclaimed British Wildlife magazine, thanks to the committed efforts …

Supporting the training of Ukrainian forces on the UK Defence Training Estate

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Defence Training Estate (DTE), Military Training
A Ukrainian recruit in uniform with his face covered faces the camera with an open expanse of land behind him. He holds his gun in a relaxed position in his arms.

This week marks the one-year anniversary of the illegal and unprovoked full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine. As part of the international effort to support Ukraine, a programme of operational training of Ukrainian forces, supported by both UK and partner nations …

Revolutionising our management of heritage on the Defence estate

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Archaeology, Defence Estate, Historic environment
DIO archaeologist Guy Salkeld is pictured in front of a trench under excavation at Flower's Barrow on Lulworth Trainingn Area. He is smiling enthusiastically.

The MOD has a rich and diverse historic environment on its UK and overseas estate, containing many thousands of historic buildings and archaeological sites. As the guardian of these valuable heritage assets, DIO is responsible for their stewardship, a key …

The eagle has landed: rare bird returns to Lulworth Ranges

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Defence Training Estate (DTE), Environment and Ecology, Lulworth Training Area
A photo of a white-tailed eagle mid-flight. The eagle has large, rectangular like wings with frayed tips. It has a brown plumage with a pale head and white tail.

The white-tailed eagle or sea eagle is Britain’s largest bird of prey, and was once widespread along the south coast of England before being driven to extinction by human persecution. To restore this lost species, Forestry England and the Roy …

Putting BATUS to bed: how we prepare the British Army’s Canada estate for the winter

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: BATUS, British Army, Canada
A photo showing a dawn sunrise on the Suffield Military Training Area. Against the dim light can be seen the outlines of several armoured vehicles and some fenced brick buildings.

The British Army Training Unit Suffield (BATUS) in Canada is home to one of the largest training estates that the British Army operates on, and it is used to deliver some of the most complex and testing training exercises that …

Military training at Penhale Training Area helps restore vital sand dune habitats

  I’m a Reservist with the British Army’s 232 Port Squadron, 165 Port and Maritime Regiment Royal Logistic Corps (RLC), and I recently volunteered for the Penhale Dunes Dynamic Dunescape support exercise as I wanted to contribute to a unique …

Transforming the British Army estate in Belize

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: BATSUB, Belize, British Army
The Sailfish Club, a single-story building with cream-coloured brickwork and a sloped green roof. In front of it is a grass lawn.

DIO’s overseas teams are constantly working to support the training requirements of our Armed Forces in locations across the globe. In Belize, we’re responsible for maintaining the British Army Training Support Unit Belize (BATSUB) estate, which has recently benefited from …