Loud Bangs ‘Shake Houses’ in Welsh Village During Military Operation

Residents living near a Welsh airport were left startled on Thursday night after “loud bangs” and low‑flying military aircraft shook homes during a major training exercise.

South Wales Police had warned earlier in the day that military personnel would be stationed at St Athan Airport in the Vale of Glamorgan for a pre‑planned operation designed to test responses to major incidents. The exercise involved HM Forces and police working together to rehearse contingency plans.

The training comes as the UK’s terror threat level remains substantial, meaning an attack is considered likely.

Residents report explosions and aircraft overhead

Despite the advance notice, many locals said they were shocked by the scale of the activity.

People living in Rhoose reported a loud explosion shortly before midnight that “shook” their homes, while others in Pencoedtre, on the outskirts of Barry, also heard bangs echoing through the night.

Some residents said their children were excited after spotting what they believed were Apache helicopters flying overhead.

Officials: ‘No cause for concern’

Police stressed that the exercise was routine and not linked to any specific threat:

“It is not in response to any recent incident, intelligence, or threat. The threat from terrorism remains at substantial, which means an attack is likely.”

St Athan, once a major RAF base, was transferred to civilian control in 2019 and is now owned by the Welsh Government, though it continues to be used for military training.

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