IT WAS a case of “Bullets over Barry Buddon” when the Angus military base became Beirut for the day on Sunday.

The armed forces were out in force for a re-enactment of the 2006 evacuation of civilians from the embattled city entitled Operation Executive Stretch.

But, far from being a simple re-creation of the fateful day two years ago when chaos returned to the Mediterranean city, the day served a double purpose— showing some of the region’s employers just what their many reservist staff members get up to when on manoeuvres.

Everything from helicopters to landing craft was involved in the operation yesterday as all three armed forces descended on the base for their show of force.

Some 20 different employers from across Tayside, Fife and Aberdeenshire were “drafted” for the operation as they sampled first-hand the many skills their staff use when out in the field.

Broughty Ferry solicitors and Fife estate agents manned boats with the Royal Marines and the navy, while Perth restaurant managers and Aberdonian train operators rescued casualties under fire with the army and RAF.

A spokesperson for the armed forces said, “There were some 20 local employers who took part in the running of things like the evacuation.

“The day served not only as a thank-you to the employers but also demonstrated some of the skills their reservists have been taught.

“The day really helped to showcase the skills that their staff have acquired in the forces, because some of the tasks aren’t always easy for people to envisage.

“It was a very successful day and a particularly interesting experience for the employers.

“The day gave them the chance to extract casualties from a destroyed minefield while under fire. There was also a lot of smoke. The day really was as close as possible to the circumstances they’d see in actual operations.

“They had to get the civilians to a safe place where they were airlifted out—so it was realistic.”

Everyone was dressed as soldiers, carrying their normal equipment and camping out on Saturday night.