Where are the 10,000 UK Armed Forces personnel deployed around the world this Christmas?
Each year military personnel sacrifice a festive period shared with loved ones to ensure the UK remains safe.
This year some 10,000 sailors, marines, soldiers and aviators are spending Christmas deployed overseas.
As the work of the UK Armed Forces continues with 60 operations running in 44 countries, BFBS Forces News has taken a look at where British military personnel are deployed this Christmas.
Operations at home
In the UK, Royal Air Force aviators at RAF Boulmer and NATS Swanwick are ready to scramble Typhoon aircraft from RAF Coningsby and RAF Lossiemouth to monitor any hostile aircraft which approach UK airspace.
Behind the scenes and out of sight at the MOD's digital HQ in Corsham, military cyber experts will remain vigilant this festive season, defending the UK against constant cyber threats.
They are looking to ensure the security of vital digital networks, guaranteeing that the systems that connect people, places and equipment run smoothly and securely.
Royal Navy ships will also continue their work protecting the UK's seas and coastline.
Deep under the waves, personnel will be aboard the Royal Navy's nuclear submarines to provide the nation's nuclear deterrent – a patrol that has continued 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, for 55 years.
And the Household Division of the British Army will continue to guard royal palaces throughout the Christmas period.
Estonia
There are 900 British personnel deployed in Estonia, ready to defend Nato's eastern flank, working alongside French and Estonian forces to deter aggression and uphold stability in eastern Europe.
The British deployment at Tapa remains the UK's largest permanent overseas deployment.
Defence Secretary John Healey recently visited Armed Forces personnel deployed to Estonia to thank them for their vital service at Christmas.
"In a world in which global insecurities are rising, we depend more and more on those who are willing to serve. And those who are willing to serve are supported by the families that stand with them and behind them," said Mr Healey.
"This Christmas, I pay special tribute to those 10,000 military personnel who are deployed overseas, many of them not seeing family and loved ones at this important time."
UK personnel around the world this Christmas
- Personnel are deployed on operations in Eastern Europe to bolster allies such as Estonia and Poland, from any threats from the East.
- British Overseas Territories remain protected, with deployments to Gibraltar, the Caribbean and the Falkland Islands.
- The UK Maritime Component Command in Bahrain will be guaranteeing the safety of civilian shipping in the Gulf.
- In Cyprus, personnel are on standby ready to respond to any incidents in the Middle East.
- Royal Navy ships HMS Spey and HMS Tamar are in the Indo-Pacific to protect partners in the region.
- Personnel stationed at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar are supporting UK and coalition operations throughout the Middle East.
- In Antarctica aboard HMS Protector, personnel will continue supporting scientific research.
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