- Armed Forces personnel thanked for their efforts in keeping the nation safe
- National event in Scarborough completes week of celebrations across UK
- The Prime Minister and Defence Secretary lead the nation with a message of thanks to service personnel
Pictured: Members of the Armed Forces marching through the streets of Scarborough on Armed Forces Day.
Image: Crown Copyright 2022 Stevie Burke
Events are being held across the United Kingdom this weekend to celebrate Armed Forces Day 2022 (Saturday 25 June) to highlight the efforts and work our Armed Forces do to keep the people of the United Kingdom safe, at home and abroad.
Armed Forces personnel from across all three single services took part in a tri-service parade in Scarborough, led by The Band of HM Royal Marines, and air displays, led by the Royal Air Force Falcons display team, who landed and on the beach. This was followed by the RAF Red Arrows, The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and RAF Typhoon aircraft.
Around the world, from the forests of Estonia and the waters of the South Atlantic to the skies above the UK, the Armed Forces have been hard at work throughout the year and local communities will turn out in force to thank them for their efforts.
Image of the Red Arrows performing a flypast over Scarborough for Armed Forces Day 2022.
On the 25th June 2022, huge crowds in Scarborough were treated to a spectacular display on land, at sea and in the air at this years National Armed Forces Day.
After a delay of nearly three years due to covid, thousands flocked to the North Yorkshire seaside town, to see the United Kingdoms military pull out all the stops with Warships, Armoured Vehicles and Flying displays.
The annual event is a chance for the public to show their appreciation and support to the work of the Armed Forces and the service organisations that look after their families.
Marching military bands and contingents from the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, the Yorkshire Regiment and the Royal Air Force, were joined by Military Veterans and Cadets in a showcase parade along the Scarborough foreshore, consisted of nearly 1000 personnel.
Those marching were cheered and saluted by an enthusiastic public as well as the VVIP for the day, HRH the Duke of Kent. Alongside His Highness was Secretary of State for Defence, Rt Hon Ben Wallace and Chief of the Defence Staff, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin.
At sea, the public got to see the Type 23 frigate, HMS Westminster and the Fleet Tanker RFA Tiderace, who were at anchor close into the beach. On shore, an Armed Forces village was set up on West Pier, allowed the public a chance to get up close and hands-on with some of the latest military hardware, and chat with members of the Armed Forces.
In the air, naval aviation was represented by a Merlin and Wildcat helicopter formation and joined by a Naval WW2 Seafire, the RAF Falcons parachute team landed on the beach and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight was followed by the RAFs crowd-pleasing Red Arrows, who displayed over South Bay. Image Crown Copyright 2022 Sgt Jimmy Wise
The Prime Minister, The Rt Hon Boris Johnson said:
“Our Armed Forces are without doubt the best, most respected and most loved Armed Forces in the world.
“You are hugely admired by the people of this country – who cheered you most recently at the Jubilee celebrations – because they are so proud of everything you do to keep us safe. You are there for us and our country when we need you, whether you are watching the skies, patrolling the seas or standing over our interests.
“Thank you to everyone in the vast military family. Thank you to our incredible veterans. And thank you to the family and friends – whose support is so crucial to ensuring that we have the best fighting force anywhere in the world.”
Armed Forces Day is an annual opportunity to thank the entire Armed Forces community: service personnel, veterans, cadets and their families, friends and supporters.
From Aberdeen to Aldershot, more than 150 events are being held by communities across the country with parades, salutes, fayres and flypasts.
In London, a special tribute to the Armed Forces took over the iconic billboards of Piccadilly Circus. The monumental screens showed moving portraits of Armed Forces personnel alongside a thank you message from the nation.
On Tuesday 21 June, Prime Minister Boris Johnson hosted a reception at 10 Downing Street for military personnel, to thank them for their efforts in protecting the country and supporting allied partners by land, sea and air.
SCARBOROUGH SALUTES THE NATIONS ARMED FORCES
Image: Crown Copyright 2022, Stevie Burke.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said:
“Our service personnel and their families’ unwavering commitment to the defence of the United Kingdom ensures that we are kept safe, at home and abroad, 365 days a year.
“On this Armed Forces Day, I hope the entire nation will join me in saying thank you to this community who make so many sacrifices to defend the freedoms and rights of British people.”
Armed Forces Day is the culmination of a week of events which celebrate the entire Armed Forces community and all that they stand for.
Now in its 14th year, it is an opportunity for the nation to show its respect to military personnel and their families, thanking them for defending our way of life, protecting British citizens around the world, and strengthening our relationships with our allies and partners.
Pathfinder International is an official media partner for the Armed Forces Day Main Event in Scarborough.
Read the Armed Forces Day Special Issue of Pathfinder here!
