An impressive light show was visible in the skies around Burnham-On-Sea on Tuesday afternoon (October 24th) when an RAF jet was spotted testing a series of anti-missile flares.

The C17 near Burnham-On-Sea on Tuesday October 24thThe aircraft was spotted circling Bridgwater Bay at around 2pm, then letting off the flares several times over the sea near Stert Island.

MoD spokeswoman Lorraine Coulton told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “The aircraft seen above Bridgwater Bay this afternoon was testing its defences. These aircraft are used in areas of conflict and use anti-missile flares to redirect heat-seeking missiles.”

She added: “Training operations like this are carried out over the sea to avoid any debris falling onto the land.”

The aircraft seen over Burnham – believed to be a C17 Globemaster – is based at RAF Brize Norton and has been deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan in recent years.

 
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