WILTSHIRE troops were poised for action yesterday as Britain and America declared war on Iraq.

After months of uncertainty, air raids began in the early hours of the morning, just 90 minutes after the 1am deadline set by President Bush. Iraq retaliated by firing missiles at Kuwait.

At the time the Wiltshire Times and Chippenham News went to press, soldiers were awaiting orders to begin a ground assault.

British and American jets bombed key Iraqi targets early yesterday morning and around 250,000 troops are in forward positions in the Kuwaiti desert.

Wiltshire's Territorial Army and men and women from the 21 Signal Regiment, based in Colerne, are just some of the soldiers from the county in the Middle East.

Part-time Territorial Army soldiers, members of the Royal Yeomanry, have been sent to the Gulf region to support the Army's regular force. The soldiers, from A Squadron, are decontamination specialists trained in nuclear, biological and chemical defence.

About 200 personnel were deployed from Colerne a month ago and are dotted around ten different locations, providing communications for the RAF helicopter fleet. Major Mike Burke said morale was good.

He said: "We hope the British public will support us, and I trust they will. The troops have never doubted it they have faith in the British people."

Hundreds of military personnel from RAF Lyneham are scattered throughout the Gulf region, fully prepared to carry out a wide range of duties. Elements of four flying units have been sent out, with crews from 24, 30, 47 and 70 Squadron in place. The base has also posted specialist units, including the Tactical Medical Wing and the Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron.

Flt Lieutenant John Makinson-Sanders said: "We have been preparing for this and undertaking a lot of contingency planning. Every- body's set on doing their job."

The 120-strong Royal Tank Regiment left Warminster a month ago and soldiers and engineers from Hullavington and Corsham are on high alert in the Kuwaiti desert.

Support has been put in place for friends and family left at home.

Jackie Graham, of Hullavington, whose husband 'Junior' has been posted to the Gulf with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, said she is anxious about the outbreak of war.

She said: "It is the threat of chemical warfare that worries me most. Every time the news comes on our house goes really quiet."

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