On 16 March 2020, 10,000 British military personnel were placed on standby to assist with the British Government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. On 19 March, the British Government stood up a further 10,000 military personnel and officially announced the formation of the COVID Support Force. The names of two military operations were also announced; Operation Rescript, which focused on the pandemic in the United Kingdom, and Operation Broadshare, which focused on British defence activities overseas, including in the British Overseas Territories. On 20 March 2020, The Telegraph reported General Sir Nick Carter had ordered the armed forces to prepare for a "six month operation".
COVID Support Force
The COVID Support Force is the responsibility of Headquarters Standing Joint Command, headed by Commander Home Command, Lieutenant General Tyrone R. Urch in Aldershot, Hampshire. With 10 regional commands, it consists of both Regular and Reserve units. Overseas exercises, including those in Canada and Kenya, were cancelled to free up personnel for the COVID Support Force.
In April, RFA Argus deployed to the Caribbean to assist during the hurricane season, as well as with tackling coronavirus, if needed. The ship carried aid from the Department for International Development, including ration packs and water. A medical team was also on standby to join the ship if required. It joined patrol ship HMS Medway, which was already deployed to the region, to form a Royal Navy task group. British forces coordinated with their French and Dutch counterparts which were also in the region to support their own Caribbean territories during the pandemic. Elsewhere, personnel were deployed to the Cayman Islands and Turks and Caicos to assist local authorities with their coronavirus response. The RAF also delivered 6 ventilators and other medical supplies to Turks and Caicos. In May, a 30-strong team from 45 Commando Royal Marines arrived in Turks and Caicos to assist with providing a security presence around the islands amid the pandemic. After spending 14 days in quarantine, the Marines joined the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force on daily boat patrols, bolstering a combined Royal Marines, Royal Navy and British Army Security Assistance Team. Two separate Royal Air ForceAtlas flights also delivered coronavirus testing equipment, ventilators and other medical supplies.
On 4 April 2020, military planners helped coordinate the coronavirus response of local authorities in the Falkland Islands. A small medical team and two Intensive Treatment Units also augmented the islands' medical facilities, whilst personnel delivered oxygen supplies, medicine and personal protective equipment. The Royal Air Force also flew in equipment via an Atlas transport aircraft to facilitate the construction of an oxygen generation plant at the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital in Stanley.
In Gibraltar, around 175 military personnel assisted with planning and logistics, as well as the delivery of food and medicine. On 10 April 2020, the Royal Air Force flew in military kit and medical supplies via an Atlas transport aircraft for the Gibraltar Health Authority dealing with coronavirus. Medical personnel also supported the Gibraltar Health Authority Ambulance Service.
Elsewhere
In March, the military assisted with the repatriation of British citizens from areas affected by coronavirus, including China and Japan. The Royal Air Force also repatriated British and EU citizens stranded in Cuba. In May, personnel from British Gurkhas Nepal rescued 109 British tourists and 28 foreign nationals stranded in Napal due to coronavirus. A team of conservationists were also rescued from Ascension Island via a Royal Air Force Atlas aircraft after becoming stranded due to coronavirus restrictions. of PPE was delivered to Saint Helena and Ascension Island.
