London, United Kingdom

For the first time in more than six decades, Britain's military has decided to take charge of London's airspace as the city is all set to host Olympic Games this July.

The move is part of a huge security operation. While civilian controllers will guide 500,000 guests into the capital's airports, the Ministry of Defense (MoD) will supervise the overall operation under which it will create a secured airspace zone, restricted by the military.

The MoD will also work out of a military-civilian control center in Hampshire. "It's their operation, with their controllers and their procedures," Paul Haskins of the National Air Traffic Services (NATS) told reporters.

"Nats is providing them the equipment in order for them to operate the facility," he added.

British police confirmed that they would deploy some 12,500 officers daily during the Games, which will be strongly-guarded by 40,000 security officers.

 

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Military to Take Control of London Air Space for Summer Olympics