Better together

The UK’s three Armed Forces are the Royal Navy, the Army and the Royal Air Force. All three forces work closely together both at home and abroad.

During joint operations, it’s usually the RAF’s job to provide flexible and specialised air power.

When we’re deployed outside the UK, we often work alongside allied forces from other countries.

Why work together?

Working with the other forces increases our options and allows us to have a greater impact on operations.

A true story of working together to save lives:
Operation Garron

In the immediate aftermath of the devastating earthquake and tsunami in southern Asia in December 2004, UK personnel from both the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force worked round the clock to deliver desperately needed supplies.

Both forces stayed on for some time to help with the clean-up operation and to assist with the rebuilding of devastated areas.

The Permanent Joint Headquarters (PJHQ)

Much of the work we do together is of national or international importance. Operations can be very complex. Speed, accuracy and good lines of communication are essential.

That’s why a Permanent Joint Headquarters (PJHQ) covering all three forces was set up in 1996. From here, any joint UK-led, or combined multinational operation can be co-ordinated.

How we work together

Here are some examples of how we bring together resources across our Armed Forces:

• Joint Rapid Reaction Force
  This combines resources from all three Armed Forces to create mobile, hard-hitting units for rapid action – whenever they’re needed, anywhere in the world. This could be for defensive operations or for humanitarian relief. Either way, speed and power are of the essence.
• Joint Helicopter Command
  Set up in 1999, this is a centralised command for all battlefield helicopters from all three Armed Forces. It’s also where helicopter Pilots get their initial training.
• Joint Force Harrier
  Set up in April 2000, this combines the RAF’s Harriers and the Royal Navy’s Sea Harriers. Joint Force Harrier was first used in 2000 in Sierra Leone, where it helped stabilise that conflict-ravaged country and bring an end to the civil war.

What's the future of joint operations?

Other sections of the UK Armed Forces that use aircraft

The Royal Navy and the Army each have sections providing them with rapid air support for their operations:
Fleet Air Arm for the Royal Navy and Army Air Corps for the Army.

They will continue – and probably increase.

Ultimately, we are all working for the greater good of the UK and for a more stable world.

We know from our experience in action that we’re at our strongest when we work together.