Operation Broadshare

Operation Broadshare is the code name for the British military operation to address the COVID-19 pandemic overseas, primarily in the British Overseas Territories and overseas military bases.[1][2][3] The operation runs in parallel to a similar military operation in the United Kingdom, named Operation Rescript.

Operation Broadshare
Part of COVID-19 pandemic
Location	British Overseas Territories & Overseas military bases of the United Kingdom
Objective	Maintain public order, assist public services and civilian authorities in tackling the Coronavirus outbreak.
Date	23 March 2020 (2020-03-23) –
Executed by	United Kingdom

Background

Main article: COVID-19 pandemic

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.[4] 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 the pandemic overseas, including in the British Overseas Territories and overseas military bases.[5] On 20 March 2020, The Telegraph reported General Sir Nick Carter had ordered the armed forces to prepare for a "six month operation".[6]

COVID Support Force

The COVID Support Force is the responsibility of Headquarters Standing Joint Command (United Kingdom), headed by Commander Home Command, Lieutenant General Tyrone R. Urch in Aldershot, Hampshire.[7][8] With 10 regional commands (mostly the brigades supervised by Regional Command, plus London District), 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.[9]

Caribbean

In April, RFA Argus deployed to the Caribbean to assist during the hurricane season, as well as with tackling coronavirus, if needed.[10] 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.[11] It joined patrol ship HMS Medway, which was already deployed to the region, to form a Royal Navy task group.[12] British forces coordinated with their French and Dutch counterparts which were also in the region to support their own Caribbean territories during the pandemic.[13]

Elsewhere, personnel were deployed to the Cayman Islands and Turks and Caicos to assist local authorities with their coronavirus response.[13] The RAF also delivered 6 ventilators and other medical supplies to Turks and Caicos.[13]

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.[12] Two separate Royal Air Force Atlas flights also delivered coronavirus testing equipment, ventilators and other medical supplies.[14][15]

Falkland Islands

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 (PPE).[13] 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.[16]

Gibraltar

In Gibraltar, around 175 military personnel assisted with planning and logistics, as well as the delivery of food and medicine.[13] 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.[17] Medical personnel also supported the Gibraltar Health Authority Ambulance Service.[18]

Elsewhere

The Royal Air Force assisted with the repatriation of British citizens from areas affected by coronavirus, including China, Cuba, Japan and Peru.[1][19][20] Personnel from British Gurkhas Nepal rescued 109 British tourists and 28 foreign nationals stranded in Nepal due to coronavirus.[21] A team of conservationists were also rescued from Ascension Island via a Royal Air Force Atlas aircraft after becoming stranded due to coronavirus restrictions.[22] 310 kilograms (680 lb) of PPE was delivered to Saint Helena and Ascension Island.[13]

In July 2020, the Royal Air Force delivered 16 pallets worth of aid to Accra, Ghana, including materials for a field hospital.[23] A small number of British citizens were also repatriated from Senegal in a separate flight.[1]

References

1. "Fighting an invisible enemy at home and overseas". Ministry of Defence. 16 July 2020. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
2. "Broadshare And Rescript: What Are The UK's Coronavirus Military Operations?". Forces.net. 19 March 2020. Retrieved 26 March 2020.
3. "Coronavirus: Up to 20,000 troops on standby to help deal with COVID-19 outbreak". Sky News. 19 March 2020. Retrieved 26 March 2020.
4. "Coronavirus: Thousands of armed forces staff could be put on standby over COVID-19 spread". Sky News. 16 March 2020. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
5. "Coronavirus: 20,000 British Personnel At Higher Readiness". forces.net. 19 March 2020. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
6. "Defence Chief tells military to prepare for six-month operation whilst warning of threats from 'those who wish to undermine our way of life'". The Telegraph. 20 March 2020. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
7. "Military stands up COVID Support Force". Gov.uk.
8. "Military COVID Support Force To Be Overseen From Aldershot". forces.net. 20 March 2020.
9. "Military Aid to Civil Authorities: The COVID Support Force". medium.com. 19 March 2020. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
10. "RFA ARGUS DISPATCHED TO SUPPORT THE CARIBBEAN REGION". Royal Navy. 2 April 2020.
11. "RFA Argus Heads To Caribbean Ahead Of Hurricane Season". Forces.net. 2 April 2020.
12. "Royal Marines Swap Arctic for Caribbean Mission". Royal Navy. 22 May 2020.
13. "COVID Support Force: the MOD's contribution to the coronavirus response". GOV.UK. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
14. Rose, Olivia (15 May 2020). "UK delivers testing machine, ventilators and medical supplies". Turks and Caicos Weekly News.
15. "UK Armed Forces step up support to the Caribbean Overseas Territories during coronavirus pandemic". Wired GOV. 20 May 2020.
16. "Coronavirus: RAF Delivers Equipment To Falkland Islands". Forces.net. 27 April 2020.
17. "RAF Aircraft brings Welcome Medical Supplies to Gibraltar". euroweeklynews.com. 11 April 2020.
18. "Military personnel train alongside GHA ambulance crews". Gibraltar Chronicle. 9 May 2020.
19. "Military Aid to Civil Authorities: The COVID Support Force". medium.com. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
20. "RAF assist repatriation flight of British and EU citizens from Cuba". UK Defence Journal. 22 March 2020.
21. "Gurkhas Praised For Rescuing British Tourists Stranded In Nepal". Forces.net. 8 May 2020.
22. "Conservationists rescued from one of the most isolated places in the world". Royal Air Force. 20 May 2020.
23. "Covid-19: British RAF aircraft transports equipment to Ghana". Air Force Technology. 29 June 2020. Retrieved 3 August 2020.