UK armed forces ready for hurricane season

Britain’s armed forces are on standby to help wherever necessary during the upcoming hurricane season, a defence minister has said.

Armed forces minister Mark Lancaster this week visited Barbados, Antigua and Montserrat to reassure locals that the Ministry of Defence will support other government departments to ensure that there is no repeat of the kind of devastation suffered when hurricanes Irma and Maria smashed through the region in September 2017.

Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) Mounts Bay will act as the hub for the UK’s response, housing vital aid and equipment, as well as the latest Royal Navy Wildcat helicopter.

There is also a medical facility on board, with ten patient beds for anyone who suffers serious injuries or illness.

Mr Lancaster said: “We may not be able to prevent natural disasters from occurring, but our world-class military have been planning meticulously to ensure lives are protected and damage is kept to a minimum.

“Our citizens in the Caribbean have already shown incredible resilience over the last year and we are determined that when this difficult period is over their local facilities are in a better state than they were before.”