A military training exercise involving Chinook and AH64 Apache helicopters is the cause of late-night aircraft noise reported across communities in Fife and Tayside this week.
The low level flights, which have been reported in the early hours across a number of locations including Glenrothes, Kinglassie, Lochgelly and the East Neuk, are part of Operation Chameleon – a special forces military training exercise taking place across parts of the local coastline.
The annual operation got underway on Sunday and is scheduled to continue every day and night for the next three weeks.
Two Apache helicopters were reported flying over Fife at around 7.30pm on Monday evening in the direction of north east Fife, while numerous sightings of the distinctive twin propeller Chinook helicopters have also been spotted.
Much of the late night flight noise is the result of RAF support for the exercise, which involves the helicopters operating between RAF Leeming in North Yorkshire and the former RAF base at Leuchars, now controlled by the Army.
Scores of people woken by the low flying aircraft took to social media to report being the loud noises.
Glenrothes resident Sandy Henderson, said: “I was woken by two aircraft at around 2am on Tuesday morning. They sounded as if they were about to land right outside, they were so loud.”
Meanwhile, Eileen Hutchinson said she had been woken by aircraft noise at around 2.30am in Glenrothes on Tuesday morning.
Joyce Robertson from Cardenden said noise from the aircraft was so loud she thought they were about to “land on the roof”.
An announcement from the Ministry of Defence said: “Operation Chameleon takes place between 29 August and September 19.
“Expect increased air activity over Buddon Ranges at all hours of the day and night.
“Expect to see low flying Chinooks, Pumas and AH64 Apaches with some increased noise.”
The operation is also being supported by SD Victoria, the specialist support ship used to support military exercises and operations and training exercises, which arrived in Largo Bay at the weekend after sailing from Portsmouth.
Special Forces boats and other hardware have also been spotted a Tayport Harbour as part of the exercise, as well as in use at St Andrews Bay, Ruby Bay and off the coast of Anstruther.
Military personnel have also been seen exiting Chinook helicopters at Barry Buddon Training camp close to Carnoustie as Operation Chameleon gets underway in earnest.
