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Troops were yesterday seen finalising their training to deliver to fuel-starved forecourts.
As our exclusive images show, RAF airmen were arriving for a day of intensive instruction at a BP oil refinery in Hertfordshire.
They belonged to a 'reconnaissance party', according to defence sources.
More are expected at the site in the next few days as the Government ramps up 'Operation Escalin' – the codename for the plan to drastically reduce pressure on fuel supplies.
It follows days of failed attempts by ministers to ease panic-buying at forecourts across the country.
Around 300 troops have been on standby since the start of the week and last night Defence Secretary Ben Wallace confirmed 200 of them will begin deliveries from Monday.
A government source said motorists might see some military drivers on the roads today.
As our exclusive images show, RAF airmen were arriving for a day of intensive instruction at a BP oil refinery in Hertfordshire
The airmen (pictured) belonged to a 'reconnaissance party', according to defence sources
Policing minister Kit Malthouse insisted the situation was 'stabilising' but might take another week to be resolved.
The Government also dismissed reports that forecourts were running out of fuel faster than it could be delivered.
Officials also played down claims from retailers that more than half of 8,380 filling stations were suffering severe shortages.
But the sight of
