Emergency rescue teams from Wiltshire and neighbouring counties have been put through their paces during a major training exercise involving a simulated light aircraft crash at Greenham Common in Berkshire.
Volunteers from Wiltshire Search and Rescue joined specialist teams, ambulance personnel and other organisations on Saturday 24 October 2026 to test how they would respond to a serious aviation incident involving casualties.
The exercise, organised by Berkshire Lowland Search and Rescue, took place at Greenham Common near Newbury.
It was designed to assess how different emergency response organisations could work together to locate injured people, provide urgent care and safely remove casualties from a simulated crash scene.
The training also focused on communication and coordination during an incident requiring multiple specialist teams.
Aircraft Crash Scenario Tests Emergency Response
The scenario involved a light aircraft crash, with responders required to manage the scene and locate people who were believed to have been injured.
Teams practised searching for casualties before assessing their condition and arranging medical assistance.
The exercise also involved extracting injured people safely from the simulated incident area.
These are important skills when emergency crews face an incident involving difficult terrain, limited access or a large number of responders.
The training allowed volunteers to practise their procedures in a controlled setting before potentially facing similar challenges during a genuine emergency.
No real aircraft accident was involved.
Wiltshire Teams Join Rescue Volunteers From Across Region
Wiltshire Search and Rescue took part alongside neighbouring teams from Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Hampshire.
The exercise brought together people with different specialist skills, allowing them to practise operating as part of a coordinated emergency response.
Organisations involved included Berkshire Lowland Search and Rescue, Berkshire Search and Rescue Dogs and South Central Ambulance Service’s Hazardous Area Response Team, known as HART.
The Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust also participated.
Volunteers from the Casualties Union helped create a realistic training environment by taking part in the simulated emergency.
Their involvement allowed rescue personnel to practise identifying, assessing and assisting casualties as the scenario developed.
Specialist Ambulance Team Joins Training
South Central Ambulance Service’s Hazardous Area Response Team was among those involved in the exercise.
HART personnel are specially trained to operate in challenging environments where conventional ambulance crews may require additional support.
Their presence gave other responders an opportunity to practise working with specialist medical teams during a complex incident.
The scenario tested how injured people could be located, assessed and moved safely while different organisations coordinated their efforts.
Such exercises are intended to identify potential problems before teams face a real emergency.
Teams Practise Joint Emergency Services Procedures
A key part of the training was working under the Joint Emergency Services Interoperability Principles, commonly known as JESIP.
These principles are designed to help emergency responders share information, understand risks and coordinate decisions during major incidents.
When several services respond to the same emergency, effective communication is particularly important.
Rescue teams, ambulance personnel and other organisations may all have different responsibilities, equipment and operational procedures.
The Greenham Common exercise gave participants an opportunity to practise bringing those different capabilities together.
Realistic Casualties Put Responders to the Test
The involvement of Casualties Union volunteers helped recreate the pressures responders could encounter during a serious incident.
Rather than simply discussing procedures, teams were able to practise their response to people representing injured casualties.
The scenario included locating those requiring help, providing medical attention and organising safe extraction.
It also provided opportunities for teams to assess how effectively they communicated with one another.
Practical exercises of this kind can help identify areas where procedures could be improved and where further training may be beneficial.
Berkshire Search and Rescue Praises Joint Working
Berkshire Lowland Search and Rescue, which led the exercise, highlighted the importance of training alongside other emergency organisations.
The charity said major exercises help strengthen communication, cooperation and decision-making between responders.
It also thanked those involved in organising, supporting and delivering the training.
For Wiltshire Search and Rescue volunteers, the event provided an opportunity to work with neighbouring teams and develop skills that may be required during a future major incident.
Volunteers Play Vital Role in Emergencies
Wiltshire Search and Rescue is a volunteer organisation that supports the emergency services in locating missing and vulnerable people.
Its trained members can be deployed to assist with searches and other specialist operations when requested by the relevant authorities.
The charity also undertakes regular training to maintain the skills required for demanding callouts.
Joint exercises with organisations in neighbouring counties are particularly valuable because a major emergency may require resources from several areas.
Saturday’s simulated aircraft crash demonstrated how volunteers and professional emergency responders can train together to prepare for complex incidents.
The Greenham Common exercise was a planned training operation, designed to strengthen the response to a potential future emergency.
UKNIP | Wiltshire and Berkshire News | Monday 26 October 2026
Source: Reporting on the Berkshire Lowland Search and Rescue-led exercise held on 24 October 2026.
