The UK’s most senior military official, Chief of the Defence Staff General Sir Nick Carter, took part in yesterday’s UK Government coronavirus daily briefing to offer an update on what the armed services have been doing to support the government’s response to the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic.
He said the military was tapping into its experience in helping tackle civilian challenges such as foot and mouth disease, flooding or for wildfires. Carter went on to describe how the armed forces have brought their logistic experience to bear to support the Department of Health and Social Care and the NHS, in what he called the single greatest logistic challenge he has encountered in his career.
The military has also been involved in setting up and supporting the seven Nightingale hospitals and is involved in planning and command and control, providing additional resilience to hard-pressed staff.
Carter ended with a tribute to Capt. Tom Moore, who has raised over £28m for NHS staff and volunteers by pledging to walk 100 lengths of his garden ahead of his 100th birthday on 30 April.
