Events were held across the United Kingdom to celebrate Armed Forces Day today, highlighting the work that the UK Armed Forces do in keeping the people of the United Kingdom safe.
In Falmouth, the location of this year’s National Event members of the Armed Forces took part in a tri-service parade which featured more than 1,000 military personnel, veterans and cadets.
Watched by The Duke of Gloucester, service personnel presented His Royal Highness with the Royal Salute, before a flypast by the RAF Red Arrows, A400M, Merlin and Avenger aircraft brought the formal proceedings to a close.
Now in its 15th year, Armed Forces Day is the culmination of a week of events which celebrate the entire Armed Forces community and all that they stand for, thanking them for defending our way of life, protecting British citizens around the world, and strengthening our relationships with our allies and partners. It also recognises the service and sacrifice the families of serving personnel make
Hosted by Cornwall Council in Falmouth, who were chosen after a competitive bidding process, this year’s National Event welcomed around 100,000 visitors from all corners of the United Kingdom.
Cornwall is also home to around 39,000 veterans and 1 in 5 people in Cornwall have a personal or family connection to the Armed Forces, making it an ideal backdrop for this year’s Armed Forces Day National Event.
As the only RAF Station in the South West, it’s a real honour for RAF St Mawgan to be such an integral part of this prestigious National Event.
The personnel based at RAF St Mawgan work tirelessly throughout the year supporting the Armed Forces’ mission to keep the UK safe, so it’s great to see such a big turn out of public support from our community to recognise that.
The parade has been a real highlight for us. It’s really important that we maintain that strong connection we have with the Cornish community and they are aware of the Station’s 80-year history of contributing to Defence.
Warrant Officer Fearnley,
Station Warrant Officer, RAF St Mawgan
The UK Armed Forces protect the UK and promote our interests around the world 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. On Armed Forces Day 2023, more than 14,000 sailors, marines, soldiers and aviators will be based overseas and deployed around the world, serving on 33 operations in 28 countries.
“From Estonia to the Indo-Pacific, as well as here at home, our Armed Forces personnel protect and defend our freedom every day of every year.
“Much of that service we do not see and often take for granted, but this year we have been privileged to watch thousands of our military on parade for the Coronation, in what was a showcase of our forces’ phenomenal precision and professionalism.
“So I know I speak for the entire country on this Armed Forces Day, when I say thank you to every soldier, sailor and aviator, and their families, who form part of our brilliant Armed Forces.”
Rishi Sunak,
Prime Minister
From Stirling to Southampton, more than 108 events are being held by communities across the country with parades salutes, fayres and flypasts.
His Majesty The King has also today paid tribute to the “immense and dedicated” contribution of UK service personnel, to mark Armed Forces Day 2023.
In a message of support, His Majesty acknowledged “the selfless service and sacrifice” the Armed Forces make, whilst also thanking the wider Armed Forces community, including military families and veterans, for the role they play in allowing service personnel to fulfil their duties.
Since last year’s Armed Forces Day, UK military personnel have been at the forefront of international efforts to support Ukraine, supported the evacuation of British Citizens from Sudan and led the nation in high-profile ceremonial roles at Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral and His Majesty King Charles III’s Coronation.
