Military year in review: Armed Forces chiefs take a look back on busy 2024
The professional head of the Armed Forces and military chiefs from all three services have looked back on 2024, speaking to BFBS Forces News about what stood out for them this year.
Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, the Chief of the Defence Staff, started off by declaring "it's been a really busy year" and spoke about how poignant it had been to take part in the D-Day 80th anniversary commemorations in June.
"Seeing these amazing characters and the way they spoke about that day... it was emotional, but it also reminded us of the sacrifice and all that they did," he said.
"It was stories like they survived, but they lost their best mate, and I think that was then touched with a profoundness of how important their commitment, their sacrifice, was and the connection to what it is that we do today."
Adm Sir Tony also praised D-Day veterans and current serving personnel alike, saying: "They created the freedom, they created the security.
"We've enjoyed the prosperity, and we need to invest in that to maintain it - and that is what our Armed Forces do day in day out for our country."
The head of the Royal Navy, Admiral Sir Ben Key, told BFBS Forces News the Navy's most important achievement in these "very uncertain times" had been maintaining the UK's independent and continuous at-sea nuclear deterrent, through Operation Relentless – the longest sustained military operation ever undertaken by British forces.
"I pay full tribute to all those submariners, their families, the support and shoreside teams and our industry partners for the effort that has taken, and also the other broader parts of the Navy who have been involved in that," he said.
For the wider Navy, the First Sea Lord added: "This has been a huge year of continued delivery against some very demanding operational circumstances, and I think it would be invidious to call out anyone in particular on that."
Chief of the General Staff and head of the British Army, General Sir Roly Walker told BFBS Forces News he was proud of the Army's "steadfast commitment" in helping Ukrainian soldiers with both training and support here in the UK.
He said: "I think as they marked their 1,000th day of a war that was never meant in the minds of the Russians to last this long, we also passed a milestone of training 50,000 Ukrainians in this country.
"Tremendous effort and I am really proud of what the teams have done."
Gen Sir Roly also praised British soldiers for their application as he looks to make the Army more lethal.
"The energy and enthusiasm that I have seen the Army respond to the challenge I have laid around doubling and tripling our fighting power – it's been really energising," he said.
"From the lowest levels to the highest levels, everybody's doing their bit to try and find a way to get better."
Air Chief Marshal Sir Rich Knighton, Chief of the Air Staff told BFBS Forces news the Royal Air Force has been the "first responder for the UK in lots of places around the world" in 2024.
"The Middle East and the war in Ukraine are particular focuses for us as an Air Force. We were heavily involved in the aid drops into Gaza earlier in the year, we have protected our allies and friends in the region against attacks from Iran and those who would want to do us harm," he said.
He added: "Every day, the Air Force is ready to fly and fight, whether that is at home here or overseas and we've done that right the way through the year and been right on the frontline of that."
In an earlier message recorded by BFBS Forces News, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin wished a Happy Christmas to all personnel and those who support them.
He pointed out how there are more than 10,000 people away this Christmas on more than 60 operations across 44 countries, alongside a "bedrock of people at home".
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