Operation Rescript

Operation Rescript
Part of 2020 coronavirus pandemic in the United Kingdom
Location	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

Operation Rescript is a military operation to assist the UK's efforts to tackle the 2020 coronavirus pandemic in the United Kingdom. A similar operation to address the coronavirus pandemic overseas is named Operation Broadshare.

Background

Main articles: 2020 coronavirus pandemic in the United Kingdom and Military aid to the civil authorities

On 16 March 2020, amid an outbreak of coronavirus in the United Kingdom, reports began to emerge on plans for the military to assist in tackling it. One such report from Sky News stated that 10,000 troops were being put on standby in the event the outbreak escalated with proposals made on how "cope with the breakdown of civil society". Another report, from The Times, stated that Royal navy personnel could be made available to staff prisons, should large numbers of prison staff go sick. The reports attracted concerns from many in the public, prompting Defence Secretary Ben Wallace to dismiss many of the "fictional" stories being reported in the media. On 19 March 2020, a further 10,000 British military personnel were put on standby to form the COVID Support Force. The names of two military operations to tackle the Coronavirus outbreak were reported as being Operation Rescript and Operation Broadshare — Rescript being focused within the United Kingdom, whilst Broadshare focused on activities overseas.

COVID Support Force

On 19 March 2020, the Ministry of Defence announced the formation of the COVID Support Force as part of its measures to help tackle the Coronavirus outbreak. The support force comprised 20,000 military personnel tasked with supporting public services, which included 150 military personnel being trained to drive oxygen tankers to support the National Health Service. Scientists from Defence Science and Technology Laboratory also began supporting Public Health England. Command and control of the COVID Support Force falls under Standing Joint Command, headed by Major General Charles Stickland. The COVID Support Force includes 10 regional commands which are overseen from Aldershot.

On 20 March 2020, The Telegraph reported General Sir Nick Carter had ordered the armed forces to prepare for a "six month operation". Overseas exercises, including those in Canada and Kenya, were cancelled to free up personnel for the COVID Support Force. The armed forces had previously been involved in repatriation flights of British and EU citizens in affected areas, such as China, Japan and Cuba. On 2 April 2020, an additional 3,000 reservist personnel joined the COVID Support Force.

Tasks

March

• On 15 March 2020, a critically ill patient with COVID-19 was transported via Chinook helicopter from the Isles of Scilly to Newquay Airport.

• On 19 March, the Royal Air Force began using Birmingham Airport to practise transferring Coronavirus patients to local hospitals via helicopter.

• On 21 March, military planners began aiding the NHS in planning for a field hospital in East London.

• On 22 March, a critically ill patient was transported from the Gilbert Bain Hospital in Shetland to an intensive care ward in Aberdeen via an Airbus A400M Atlas aircraft of the RAF. A repatriation flight of British and EU citizens also took place in Cuba.

• On 23 March, Joint Helicopter Command was placed on standby to assist with the transportation of people and supplies.

• On 24 March, soldiers from 101 Logistic Brigade delivered Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to St Thomas' hospital in London. Plans were also unveiled for a field hospital in East London, later named NHS Nightingale Hospital London, which would be staffed by the NHS with support from the military. Further field hospitals were also reportedly under consideration.
• On 27 March, Puma helicopters were stationed at Kinloss Barracks, which would operate alongside Chinook and Wildcat helicopters from RAF Leeming to provide assistance to the NHS in Scotland and Northern England. Three further bases, RAF Benson, RAF Odiham and RNAS Yeovilton would also come into operation, with Benson covering the Midlands and Odiham and Yeovilton covering Southern England.

• On 28 March, personnel from 1st Battalion, The Royal Anglian Regiment, 256 Field Hospital and Royal Engineers assisted in the construction of NHS Nightingale field hospital in East London, with an expected opening date "next week".

• On 30 March, the British Army began helping transform the SEC Centre in Glasgow, Scotland into a field hospital.

April

• On 1 April 2020, 80 personnel were deployed to drive and take calls for South Central Ambulance Service. The Royal Navy also announced that three Merlin helicopters from RNAS Culdrose would be available to transport patients, supplies and personnel across South West England. Military personnel also began helping transform locations across Cumbria to facilitate 500 additional patient beds. Two British Army Wildcat helicopters delivered "key personnel" to Leeds General Infirmary.

• On 5 April, a 40-strong detatchment from the Scots Guards began transforming three buildings into wards at St. Mary's Hospital in the Isle of Wight.

• On 8 April, the Ministry of Defence announced 60 military personnel had begun receiving training to support the Welsh Ambulance Service, in addition to driving oxygen tankers to support the NHS and setting up field hospitals (including in the Principality Stadium). Military personnel also began assisting the East of England Ambulance Service.

• On 9 April, British Army and Royal Marines liaison officers provided support to NHS Lothian and British Army personnel assisted at a drive-thru coronavirus testing centre in Glasgow, Scotland. The Isle of Wight Rifles also began supporting the coronavirus response in the Isle of Wight.