FRONTLINE
ISSUE 21 | SPRING/SUMMER 2020
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY: THE ARMY AND CIVIL ASSISTANCE In this article, the National Army Museum examines the changing role of the British Army in providing support for civil authority – from supporting national events and helping to resolve crises, to protecting against civil threats.
Today, we trust the Army and its soldiers to help maintain vital supplies and services. We welcome them when normal civilian resources are exhausted or have broken down. And, as the 2020 coronavirus outbreak shows, we rely on them in times of national emergency. On 19th March 2020, the Ministry of Defence announced the formation of the Covid Support Force. This was one of the measures put in place to co-ordinate Armed Forces assistance in tackling the pandemic. As part of Operation Rescript, around 20,000 military personnel were mobilised to help support public services in the UK. On 23rd March 2020, 150 members of the Armed Forces began training at Air Products facilities in Port Talbot and Carrington to help maintain supplies of oxygen to NHS facilities. They were taught to fill oxygen tankers as well as how to drive them safely and deposit oxygen at NHS facilities.
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Another 700 military personnel were committed to support NHS staff at the large-scale temporary hospital at the ExCel Centre in London (NHS Nightingale), primarily to help with construction and provide logistical support. Under the remit of Operation Broadshare, the military also assisted with repatriation flights of British citizens from China and Japan, providing medically trained personnel and a military runway for aircraft landings.
The National Army Museum is closed due to coronavirus, but its website offers access to its collections and other resources. Visit www.nam.ac.uk to find out more.
