Northern Ireland is to be used increasingly to train British soldiers before they are sent to conflict zones such as Afghanistan and Iraq.
The British army says training in the North will become a regular sight in some places. The army was responding to complaints from North Antrim Sinn Féin Assemblyman Daithi McKay about cattle being spooked by "stepped-up" helicopter activity in Rasharkin.
With the ending of the Troubles, the British army is now treating Northern Ireland like any other part of the UK where they have troops in garrisons and on standby for international duty.
Training including the use of helicopters is set to become commonplace in Northern Ireland, much as RAF jets can be seen in Snowdonia and Scotland, according to an army spokesman.
Mr McKay said that the British army had increased training operations in north Antrim considerably in recent months.
He said: "Our office has received complaints about British army activity from the Glens of Antrim, Loughgiel, Glenravel, Dunloy and Rasharkin in recent weeks.
"Given the recent reduction in the number of British troops here, it is deeply concerning that British army activity has actually risen in north Antrim recently rather than declined.
"The British army played a major role in this conflict and their continuing military activity has caused much anger. People here do not want their communities used as military training camps and it's time the British army acknowledged that and left this area in peace," he stated.