Big Bro Of HM Armed Forces

The Armed Forces of a certain nation are concentrated mainly within its boundaries and territories. Although this is the main concern for such large scale organizations, efforts and resources have been facilitated in order to expand forces in a global level so as to provide help in peacekeeping affairs. Positively inclined personnel and artillery is set to protect all parts of the world running as near as the coastal lines and as deep as the sea beds.

The Royal Navy of the United Kingdom is recognized as the oldest among Her Majesty’s Forces thereby having the distinction of being called as the Senior Service. During the period that covered the 18th century up to the 20th century the navy forces from Britain was considered as the most powerful one in the world paving the way for the establishment of the British Empire as a highly regarded and dominating country from 1815 until the onset of the 1940s.

During the second World War, the Royal Navy accounted for around 900 sea vessels. In the times of the Cold War this force was mainly concerned with anti-submarine oriented operations wherein it hunted down various Soviet submarine that were considered to be an active part of GIUK gap. When the Soviet Union was shoved out of the picture, the role of the Royal Navy was focused more on global expeditionary.

In the ranks of the NATO alliance and operatives, the Royal Navy is the second largest navy force in aspects of combined deployment which is around 900,000 tonnes including the Royal Fleet Auxiliary or RFA ships. At present there are about 110 Royal Navy commissioned ships including that of the RFA. It also brags of aircraft carriers, helicopter carrier, landing platform docks, nuclear fleet submarines, frigates, ballistic missile submarines, guided missile destroyers, patrol vessels, and mine counter-measures. The RFA also provides a back-up with 22 vessels. It is said that the Royal Navy is the service responsible for maintaining the United Kingdom’s nuclear facilities.

The Royal Navy is an integral component of the Naval Service and is joined by the likes of the Royal Marines, the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, Royal Naval Reserve, and the Royal Marines Reserve. The latest role that the RN is based on the protection of the British welfare locally and internationally while executing foreign and defense policies as part of Her Majesty’s Government via the execution of military effect.

It is also obliged to take part of diplomatic activities and other operations that will promote its objectives. It also serves as an important component of the British part in helping facilitate the visions of NATO as evidenced by the assets made readily available for the latter’s projects.

The Royal Navy is being deployed in several home tasks within UK. It also acts to maintain overseas facilities and activities. There is a force deployment in the Mediterranean as part of the standing NATO programs which involves mine countermeasures and NATO Maritime Group 2. It also has the Royal Navy Cyprus Squadron. The new Patrol Vessel called HMS Clyde is the one delegated to roam around the areas of Falkland Islands. The RN is also patrolling Northern Persian Gulf in order to facilitate maritime security and surveillance within the circles of the Middle East.

Every part of a country’s territory and international relation is of significance and importance for its venture to maintain peace and prosperity that is why its armed forces are constantly on the go for improvement and enhancement of facilities and manpower.

Basic Knowledge about Armed Forces

The Armed Forces is a government-sponsored organization of a country that is tasked to take care of defense and battle against enemies of the state. The body exists to further domestic and foreign policies of a government, which needs defense from internal and external aggressors. In many cases, the term ‘armed force’ is used to refer to a task of using armed forces in achieving numerous political objectives.

Military science is the study of basic use of armed forces. In broad terms, it includes consideration of offense and defense in three levels, namely, tactics, operational art, and strategy. All three study application of use of force in the achievement of desired goals.

In many countries, especially the United States and the United Kingdom, armed forces are classified or divided into specific forces: army, air force, navy, and paramilitary police force (or gendarmerie). Paramilitary police forces are not adapted or existent in most Anglo-Saxon nations for political and logical reasons. Likewise, not all countries have navy because geographically, not all nations are geographically gifted with sea waters.

Many small countries establish a single organization for their armed forces. Such single bodies encompass all armed forces that are employed by the government. Third-world armies usually consist of infantry. First-world armies have bigger units that man expensive equipment.

Armed forces could also be organized into ‘standing forces’ (regular army) that is involved in no other profession or work other than to carefully prepare and engage on warfare. Some countries have citizen army, as in the case of Switzerland. Citizen army or reserve army could be mobilized and formed only when there is a pressing national need. Governments keep reserve armies for practical reasons. However, citizen army is often less organized and less trained, making it almost futile and unreliable in serious cases.

The United States and the United Kingdom have five forces within their armed forces, namely, army, air force, navy, coast guard, and marines). Germany has army, navy, air force, joint support services, and central medical services. Egypt has four: army, air force, navy, and air defense). Italy has army, air force, navy, financial police, and military police. South Africa has army, air force, navy, and military health service, while the Netherlands has army, navy, air force, and military police. The culture between various branches of a nation’s armed force could be varied in logical reasons.

Why is there a need for any country to establish and maintain armed forces? The obvious advantage is that there is assured protection from any foreign threats. The armed force is also tasked to protect the government of the people against internal conflicts. In the past years, the armed forces have been used as emergency civil support especially for post-disaster conditions.

However, the institution could also pose harm and threats to the society as a whole. This is because some military men are keeping on figuring in at counter-productive warfare. Costs on science and technology for the development of systems and weapons could be very costly.

Armed Forces Of The Crown

Through the varying periods of history a lot of armed forces have sought to protect the interests and welfare of their respective countries. There are some who have succeeded and still there are some who strives to have full grasp of peace and independence. Let’s take a look at some of the documentations and find out how the UK’s military force has been doing for the past years.

There have been three reviews of Britain’s Armed Forces ever since the commencement of the Cold War. One of the results included is the development of the Options for Change review in the 90s which was facilitated by the country’s Conservative Government. It was seeking to gain strides and benefits from a projected post-Cold War peace dividend.

It is stated that during this time all of the force’s three main divisions have endured a considerable decrease in terms of infrastructure, facilities, and manpower. Even though it is a fact that the Soviet Union was vanquished, there is still a possible military presence within the lines of Germany, more so that there was a reduction in the British Forces Germany. Due to the happenings brought about by the first ever Gulf War, authorities were obliged to make revitalized efforts to upgrade joint operational connections and effectiveness within the circles of the force. This was achieved by structuring a Permanent Joint Headquarters in 1996.

The UK force took upon itself to take more international obligations especially after the end of the Cold War. It has been notable that HM Armed Forces is taking extra effort in order to contribute to the ongoing mission of both the NATO and the United Nations in keeping peace globally. There has been a challenge to the positive aspirations of the organization within the past years. It has been faced with difficulties to consistently attend to its overseas responsibilities and commitment because of the issues revolving around the reduced number in manpower. The Armed Forces are making a considerable amount of overstretching during the recent years.

In 1998, the Strategic Defense Review was laid on the table. It focused on expeditionary warfare and tri-service integration in order to enhance the efficiency and decrease the amount of expenditure via consolidation of resources. Actions involved helicopters of the Armed Forces being compacted into one single command and the establishment of a Joint Force Harrier in 2000 which was composed of the Navy and the Royal Air Force fleets of Harrier Jump Jets. Moreover, in 1999 a Joint Rapid Reaction Force was created which resulted into a significant amount of tri-service resources at hand.

During the post-September 11 period in 2004 the Delivering Security in a Changing World: Future Capabilities review was launched. It still focused on expeditionary warfare with the addition of a vision directed on mobility. The actions involved in the review included the purchase of two huge aircraft carriers and a bundle of medium-sized vehicles. In order to bring back the equilibrium in the composition of deployable light and medium forces, the review introduced Challenger 2 main battle tanks and AS-90 regiments wherein self-propelled artillery were converted to lighter role degrees.

The advancement and continued maintenance of a country’s armed forces will not only benefit its constituents but also give the international scene a boost to gain better strides and success.

Armed Forces In The Skies

Even though the skies are beyond his limits man has taken all measures in order to provide ample exploration and security within this area. This is the reason why armed forces from different countries also make some strides in giving equal attention to their atmospheric territories as to those found on land masses and sea areas. For years now the British forces have been guarding every corners of the horizon. Let’s investigate.

The RAF or the Royal Air Force is the version of the United Kingdom’s aerial safety and security troops and is recognized as the world’s oldest independent air force. It was actually formed on the 1st of April 1918 and since then the RAF has been making considerable contribution for the welfare of British military particularly during its exploits in the second World War. It is also consistently active in giving assistance to various current conflicts.

As of the 31st of March 2008, the RAF has been approximately operating at around 1,100 aircraft with an estimated trained strength of 41,440 regular personnel. A large percentage of the manpower and aircraft facilities under the RAF are within UK territories. There are others serving principal operations in several regions and countries such as the Middle East, the Balkans, and Afghanistan. There are also accounted and established bases that operate in areas of Canada, Gibraltar, Germany, Ascension Island, the Falkland Islands, and Diego Garcia.

The mission of the RAF revolves around the support that has to be given to the objectives of the British Ministry of Defense which include provision of the capabilities needed in order to ensure the security and defense of the United Kingdom and its overseas territories particularly against acts of terrorism and support of the government’s foreign policy objectives directed at the promotion of international peace and prosperity. The mission statement of the RAF revolves around issues of agility, adaptability, capability, and global competence en route to consistency of contribution to the cause of the UK Defense mission.

The RAF’s definition of air power serves as its guide in coming up with strategic planning and execution. Air Power according to RAF’s term can be defined as the ability to project military force in air or space by or from a platform or missile operating above the surface of the earth. Air platform here pertains to vehicles like helicopters, unmanned aerial vessels, and aircrafts. Even though the RAF is regarded as the principal service responsible for British’s aerial efforts and activities, the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy and Army Air Corps of the British Army can also take care of conflicts and affairs within the skies via proper coordination with maritime and land areas.

The RAF gets professional leadership from the Chief of the Air Staff or CAS along with a deputy known as the Assistant Chief of the Air Staff. The CAS overlooks all the affairs of the Air Force Board which is regarded as a committee of the Defense Council. The Air Force Board is the management body of the RAF and is composed of the Commander-in-Chief of Air Command along with a bunch of high ranking officials.

All elements that comprise the territorial boundaries of a country are of equal importance. It is very significant that the armed forces are able to maintain balance, safety, and harmony within these areas.

Armed Forces By The Coast

The armed forces established within certain nations should not only be competent and highly equipped. They must also possess a certain degree of flexibility and reliability. For there are instances that delegated responsibilities may change especially when violence and war breaks into the picture. Let’s take a look at one of the most elastic form of armed force in the world, the US Coast Guard.

The United States Cost Guard or simply USCG is a highly-respected brand of the US Armed Forces and is involved as one of seven uniformed services. The uniqueness of this organization lies in the fact that among the military service it is the one that has maritime law enforcement mission with judicial scopes that encompass both domestic and international waters. It also has a federal regulatory agency mission as part of its obligations. During times of peace it is within the leadership of the Department of Homeland Security while in times of war and terrorism its services are handed down to Department of the Navy by the President of Congress.

The primary responsibility of the Coast Guard is to provide protection to the public, the environment, and the United States economic and safety aspects in any maritime setting wherein those aspects or interests are facing a huge amount of risk. These include international waters as well as coasts, inland waterways, and ports located within the United States. The Coast Guard is organized and maintained under one motto. It is Semper Paratus which means Always Ready or Always Prepared.

The roles of the USCG include the likes of maritime homeland security, maritime law enforcement or MLE, search and rescue or SAR, marine environmental protection or MEP, and the maintenance of river, intracoastal and offshore aids to navigation or ATON. It was founded by a guy named Alexander Hamilton on August 4, 1790 and at present it is highly regarded as the oldest continuing seagoing service in the United States. The Coast Guard is a form of military service that is always on the go.

While it is a fact the other areas of service within the armed forces are either at war or engaged in training for war, the Coast Guard is placed on demand on a daily basis. This service is often recognized for having fast responsiveness and flexibility during times of serious emergencies and calamities.

This positive trait can be attributed to the fact that the organization has a decentralized system and even the most junior ranking personnel within its realms can respond accordingly. In 2005 right after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, TIME Magazine lauded the efforts of the Coast Guard by describing it as a model of unrelenting spirit and true flexibility. The coast guard is known as being a people-oriented military service especially during times of environmental catastrophe.

The USCG has been part of major conflicts involving the US since 1790. These include the landing of US troops during D-Day, during WWII on the Pacific Islands, diligent patrolling and accurate shore artillery during the Vietnam War, and numerous involvements in the Operation Iraqi Freedom like transportation security and interception operations. Members of the service are officially tagged as Coast Guardsman regardless of what the gender may be.

Help is not only needed during times of war or violence. There are other situations that need the intervention of armed forces that is why it’s a good thing that flexible and reliable services like the Coast Guard exist