SERVICE personnel at RNAS Yeovilton could join a massive task force heading for the Gulf soon as the threat of war with Iraq continues.
Personnel at the base have been on seasonal leave, but a spokesman said steps had already been taken to ensure that air and support crews were ready for action.
It follows the Ministry of Defence announcement that tanks and advance parties of more than 20,000 British troops could begin to move to the Middle East in the next few weeks as part of a final attempt to force Saddam Hussein to surrender his weopons of mass destruction.
The operation - codenamed Force on Mind - involves stepping up preparations, chartering the ships needed to take British tanks to the Gulf and warning units and reservists to be ready to move.
RNAS Spokesman Lt Cdr Mike Caws said: "People are at varying stages of readiness and keeping abreast of developments.
"However, we do not have any personnel in the Gulf at this time and we prepared for seasonal leave as arranged."
He said a deployment of Sea Harriers from the base would be aboard the aircraft carrier Ark Royal, which will lead a six-ship task force towards the Gulf in January.
Officially, it is sailing to the Far East to take part in a long-planned exercise, but it could be diverted to the Gulf at short notice if needed.