Editing Dartmoor (section)

=== Use by the Ministry of Defence ===
{{See also|Dartmoor Training Area}}

There is a history of military usage of Dartmoor dating back to the [[Napoleonic Wars]]. Today, a large British Army training camp remains at [[Okehampton]] — also the site of an airbase during the Second World War.

The [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]] (MoD) uses three areas of the northern moor for manoeuvres and live-firing exercises, totalling {{convert|108.71|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}},<ref name="DF" /> or just over 11% of the National Park. Red and white posts mark the boundaries of these military areas (shown on [[Ordnance Survey]] 1:25,000 scale maps). Flagpoles on many tors in and around the ranges fly red flags when firing is taking place. At other times, members of the public are allowed access. Blank rounds may also be used, but the MoD does not notify the public of this in advance.

Some "challenge" and charitable events take place with assistance of the military on Dartmoor, including the long established [[Ten Tors]] event and the more recent Dartmoor Beast.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Summary {{!}} Ten Tors |url=http://www.tentors.org.uk/challenge/about |website=Tentors.org.uk}}</ref>

The disused [[Rippon Tor Rifle Range]] was built to train soldiers during the Second World War, and remained in use until its closure in 1977.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Heritage Gateway – Results |work=Heritagegateway.org.uk |url=http://www.heritagegateway.org.uk/Gateway/Results_Single.aspx?uid=MDV55113&resourceID=104}}</ref>