Pictures from the MoD

HMS Protector is pictured during surveying operations in Antarctica. HMS Protector is one the newest additions to the Fleet, an impressive and incredibly versatile survey and ice patrol ship preparing for her first deployment. The ship is on loan to the Navy to plug the gap until the fate of Britain’s long-serving Antarctic patrol ship, HMS Endurance, is decided following her near-sinking in late 2008. Protector began life as the MV Polarbjørn (Polar Bear), a Norwegian icebreaker and polar research vessel which has shown her flexibility by also acting as a support vessel for an oil platform in the Caribbean. Now she’s been fitted with an echo sounder and a temporary flight deck and will receive other specialist equipment over the summer to turn her into a Royal Navy vessel. We have set out on our inaugural deployment to Antarctica in late 2011 – the austral summer, and the 100th anniversary of Capt Scott’s fateful attempt to reach the South Pole.Photographer: LA(Phot) Arron Hoare

HMS Protector during surveying operations in Antarctica. HMS Protector is one the newest additions to the Fleet, an impressive and incredibly versatile survey and ice patrol ship preparing for her first deployment. The ship is on loan to the Navy to plug the gap until the fate of Britain’s long-serving Antarctic patrol ship, HMS Endurance, is decided following her near-sinking in late 2008. Protector began life as the MV Polarbjørn (Polar Bear), a Norwegian icebreaker and polar research vessel which has shown her flexibility by also acting as a support vessel for an oil platform in the Caribbean. Now she’s been fitted with an echo sounder and a temporary flight deck and will receive other specialist equipment over the summer to turn her into a Royal Navy vessel. We have set out on our inaugural deployment to Antarctica in late 2011 – the austral summer, and the 100th anniversary of Capt Scott’s fateful attempt to reach the South Pole.Photographer: LA(Phot) Arron Hoare

Pictured here is HMS Montrose at the closest point to the ice pack in the South Atlantic. HMS Montrose is deployed as the Atlantic Patrol Task (South) Ship between October 2011 and May 2012. Her primary role is to protect and promote interests in the South Atlantic by maintaining a continuous presence in the region. The ship aims to visit all the British South Atlantis Overseas Territories over the coming months.

A Royal Navy Search and Rescue winchman with 771 Naval Air Squadron is pictured during an exercise with a local lifeboat crew in Cornwall, England. Culdrose based aircraft, are tasked weekly to by the Coastguard, to help various emergency agencies from Fire Brigade, Ambulance service and lifeguards, to help in the search and rescue of injured and stranded people around the coast of Cornwall. The training exercise not only tests the pilot’s ability to keep the aircraft in the hover, but also tests the watchman, who has to be lowered in all weather conditions. For nearly half a century, 771 Naval Air Squadron – known as the Ace of Clubs – has lived up to its motto non nobis solum – ‘not unto us alone’, or in 21st-Century speak, 'for the greater good'. Our Sea Kings are scrambled at least 200 times a year, and the figure is rising. 771’s helicopters, which feature the squadron’s unofficial Ace of Clubs logo, provide search and rescue cover for the Western Approaches: that’s the Cornish peninsula, the Isles of Scilly and the Atlantic/Channel to a distance of 200 nautical miles. That can mean mariners in distress or holidaymakers, walkers, climbers, divers and surfers in difficulty around the Cornish coast The helicopters are also called upon to ferry patients/injured people to hospital in the West Country. One of the helicopters is at 15 minutes’ notice to fly by day, 45 by night, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, with a second aircraft on the Culdrose tarmac ready to join it in the skies should the emergency demand

Soldiers from 1 Royal Welsh are pictured on exercise. More than 300 soldiers from 1st Battalion The Royal Welsh (Royal Welch Fusiliers) have been embarking on a five day live-firing exercise on the Castlemartin ranges in Pembrokeshire from January 29 to February 2, 2012. The exercise tested the combined arms firepower and put soldiers through their paces in the most demanding and realistic scenarios available outside of theatre. On Wednesday, February 1, B Company, 1 R Welsh, were on the platoon level ranges firing at 'live' targets, working with military vehicles and practicing their casualty drills. The Fusiliers will also be practicing their drills to counter IEDs. This exercise is conducted in preparation for a six-month tour to Afghanistan in 2012 as part of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). Some of those involved have previous Afghan experience from their 2009 deployment although for some troops this will be the first time they have trained for an operational tour

Soldiers from 1 Royal Welsh are pictured carrying a simulated casualty during an exercise in Wales. More than 300 soldiers from 1st Battalion The Royal Welsh (Royal Welch Fusiliers) have been embarking on a five day live-firing exercise on the Castlemartin ranges in Pembrokeshire from January 29 to February 2, 2012. The exercise tested the combined arms firepower and put soldiers through their paces in the most demanding and realistic scenarios available outside of theatre. On Wednesday, February 1, B Company, 1 R Welsh, were on the platoon level ranges firing at 'live' targets, working with military vehicles and practicing their casualty drills. The Fusiliers will also be practicing their drills to counter IEDs. This exercise is conducted in preparation for a six-month tour to Afghanistan in 2012 as part of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). Some of those involved have previous Afghan experience from their 2009 deployment although for some troops this will be the first time they have trained for an operational tour.

HMS Illustrious on Loch Long, heading for the ammunitioning jetty at Glenmallan in Argyll, where she’ll take on stores and ammunition before heading to the Arctic Circle. HMS Illustrious, is heading inside the Arctic Circle for eight weeks of cold weather training which culminates in Exercise Cold Response, a Norwegian led NATO exercise which also involves ships from Denmark, the Netherlands and Sweden. Once the exercise is completed HMS Illustrious will take over as the UK’s high-readiness helicopter and commando carrier. During the exercise, she will embark her Lynx and Sea King helicopters along with a company of Royal Marines from Plymouth-based 42 Commando. The Royal Marines will be joined ashore by landing forces from the Netherlands and the United States. Amphibious assault ship HMS Bulwark will also be taking part.

HMS Illustrious on Loch Long, heading for the ammunitioning jetty at Glenmallan in Argyll, where she’ll take on stores and ammunition before heading to the Arctic Circle. HMS Illustrious, is heading inside the Arctic Circle for eight weeks of cold weather training which culminates in Exercise Cold Response, a Norwegian led NATO exercise which also involves ships from Denmark, the Netherlands and Sweden. Once the exercise is completed HMS Illustrious will take over as the UK’s high-readiness helicopter and commando carrier. During the exercise, she will embark her Lynx and Sea King helicopters along with a company of Royal Marines from Plymouth-based 42 Commando. The Royal Marines will be joined ashore by landing forces from the Netherlands and the United States. Amphibious assault ship HMS Bulwark will also be taking part.

HMS Illustrious on Loch Long, heading for the ammunitioning jetty at Glenmallan in Argyll, where she’ll take on stores and ammunition before heading to the Arctic Circle. HMS Illustrious, is heading inside the Arctic Circle for eight weeks of cold weather training which culminates in Exercise Cold Response, a Norwegian led NATO exercise which also involves ships from Denmark, the Netherlands and Sweden. Once the exercise is completed HMS Illustrious will take over as the UK’s high-readiness helicopter and commando carrier. During the exercise, she will embark her Lynx and Sea King helicopters along with a company of Royal Marines from Plymouth-based 42 Commando. The Royal Marines will be joined ashore by landing forces from the Netherlands and the United States. Amphibious assault ship HMS Bulwark will also be taking part.

Royal Navy Type 23 frigate HMS Montrose is dwarfed by the mountains of The Pot Cove near Grytviken, South Georgia in the South Atlantic. She is deployed as the Atlantic Patrol Task (South) Ship between October 2011 and May 2012. Her primary role is to protect and promote UK interests in the South Atlantic, by maintaining a presence in the region. The ship aims to visit all the British South Atlantic Overseas Territories over the coming months.