Gleaming uniforms, soaring Red Arrows and The Queen’s Honour Guard at Balmoral and the Duke of Edinburgh laid to rest: MOD picks its best images of 2021 revealing the reality of life for UK servicemen and women as taken by military photographers
- Those who capture images are all soldiers, sailors and aviators first and photographers second, says the MoD
- Army cameraman Dave Jenkins’ photo of military Guard of Honour as Prince Philip is laid to rest is featured
- Selection also shows Afghanistan evacuation and counter-terrorism operations over the mountains of Mali
- The Royal Navy also honoured image of a sailor hugging a family member on arrival at Portsmouth Naval Base
Gleaming uniforms, soaring Red Arrow jets, the Queen’s Balmoral Honour Guard and Prince Philip being laid to rest have been selected among the Ministry of Defence’s best images of 2021 taken by military photographers.
From the Afghanistan evacuation to counter-terrorism operations over the mountains of Mali, the UK Armed Forces have chosen photos that show the reality of life for UK servicemen and women.
Those who capture these images are all soldiers, sailors and aviators first and photographers second, says the Ministry of Defence (MoD), deploying with their rifle as well as their camera.
Army cameraman Dave Jenkins’ powerful image of the military Guard of Honour outside St George’s Chapel as the Duke of Edinburgh was interred in the Royal Vault last April is featured.
An image of an RAF C-130J, flying in support of Operation FORTIS, conducting a nose-up, breaking into the flying circuit over the runway at RAF Akrotiri after returning from Jordan is among the Ministry of Defence’s best images of 2021
An RAF Flight Sergeant (from 27 Sqn, RAF Odiham) operates as the rear crewman as the Chinook transits through the Hombori mountains in Mali at sunset. The Royal Air Force Chinooks currently deployed in Mali in support of French Military Operations there have passed a significant milestone after recording 3000 hours of operational flight time
A Royal Marine from 45 Commando prepares to plunge into icy water during ice breaking drills as part of the Cold Weather Warfare Course in Norway. As the UK’s Cold Weather Warfare Specialists, 45 Commando have returned to the arctic to hone their warfighting skills in one of the most inhospitable environments
The British Army conduct patrols as part of Exercise Lion Star 5 at RAF Akrotiri with a staged medevac from 84 Squadron (search and Rescue) and RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus. RAF Akrotiri hosted 53 Enabling and Headquarters Squadron while they conducted Exercise Lion Star
HMS Queen Elizabeth conducts a night replenishment at sea with RFA Tidespring on June 21 last year. Those who capture these images are all soldiers, sailors and aviators first and photographers second, says the MoD
RAF chief photographer Cpl ‘Matty’ Matthews made the cut with a striking image of C-130J Super Hercules conducting a nose-up, break into the flying circuit over the runway at RAF Akrotiri after returning from Jordan.
The Royal Navy also honoured CPO Owen Cooban’s emotional image of a sailor hugging a family member after returning to Portsmouth Naval Base.
Ministry of Defence chief photographic officer Harland Quarrington said: ‘This year and every year, Armed Forces photographers have captured the vital work of the Armed Forces in the UK and around the world.
‘The work of military photographers was crucial to telling the heartbreaking story of Afghanistan and the remarkable evacuation of 15,000 vulnerable civilians this summer.
‘I’m so grateful to our photographers for bringing amazing stories from around the world – from the Middle East to the Arctic Circle – back to their supporters in the UK.’
The MoD tweeted last Wednesday: ‘This year the UK Armed Forces worked night and day around the globe to keep us safe.
The Queen arriving in Balmoral and being met by an Honour Guard formed of soldiers from 5th Battalion, the Royal Regiment of Scotland, as she made her formal arrival at the Balmoral Estate in Scotland last year
As Prince Philip’s coffin arrives at the West steps of St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle from Horseshoe Cloister by a Royal Marines Bearer Party, The Band and Bugles of The Rifles receive the coffin with the National Anthem
Red Arrows practice images taken from the back seat of Red 10’s jet during a photo chase. Flying in Greek sunshine, the kets can be seen perfecting and polishing manoeuvres ahead of the display season
Warships Defender and Diamond received a warm welcome from families at Portsmouth Naval Base after a landmark deployment. The two ships sailed into the base a few hours ahead of aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth
The Queen’s Life Guard on Parade at the Cenotaph. Members of the Armed Forces came together on Remembrance Sunday to commemorate servicemen and women killed in all conflicts since the First World War
One of two newly qualified pilots landing an F35B Lightning Jet on board HMS Queen Elizabeth for their first time on August 14 last year, as 617 Squadron welcomed two more pilots
Members of the UK Armed Forces are seen taking part in the evacuation of entitled personnel from Kabul airport in Afghanistan as they identify and fly entitled personnel to the UK
An image showing Army Air Corps AH64 Apache conductinh dust landings while deployed to RAFO Musannah in Oman is featured in the MoD’s best images of 2021
‘They paid their respects to those they lost and supported our allies and our NHS.
‘Wishing a Happy New Year to all those who serve and those who support them!’
The Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force protect the UK and its allies and promote our interests around the world 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
More than 7,500 personnel are currently on standby in the UK to be called upon to support winter resilience operations at home.
A formation flight of specially painted Chinook and Puma helicopter took place on November 25 last year, to mark over 90 years of combined service. The occasion saw the aircraft take a commemorative flight over several locations in the South of England displaying their bespoke anniversary tail art
One of the ship’s company of HMS Queen Elizabeth looking out to the group formation of ships (left to right: HMS Defender, RFA Tidespring, RFA Fort Victoria, HNLMS Evertsen, JS Kirishima, HMNZS Te Kaha and USS Shiloh)
HMS Prince of Wales Ship’s Company make final preparations as the Ship leaves Portsmouth Dockyard for operational taskings for the first time in 2021
Members of the British Army Pathfinders take part in an urban training environment. Pathfinders (PF) is the advance force for 16 Air Assault Brigade, the British Army’s airborne rapid reaction force
Paratroopers show the firepower that they could bring to bear during combat missions as the British Army’s global response force during a demonstration on Salisbury Plain
.King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery fired a 41-gun salute from six guns in Green Park to mark the birthday of Prince Wales on November 15 last year
HMS Queen Elizabeth (back) and HMS Prince of Wales (front) meeting at sea for the first time as the Carrier Strike Group completed its final exercise before setting sail for its first operational deployment
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