Take a seat, grab a brew and join Squadron Leader Lizzie, Corporal Tom and Padres Jonny and Michael as they discuss life in the Middle East in the fight against Daesh on Operation SHADER.

The global terrorist group Daesh poses a threat to UK national security as it seeks to expand its terror network, using propaganda to radicalise and recruit citizens from the UK and around the world. That’s why the UK Armed Forces work day and night to help defeat Daesh.

The UK Armed Forces’ latest mission in the Middle East has seen them work alongside 80 other nations to help provide safe and stable communities for the Iraqi people to live and work in, conducting the operation on both land and in the air.

Grab yourself a brew and join Reservists Sergeant Liam Wood, Captain Richard Roberts and Private Giles Maythan as they discuss life inside the Buffer Zone in Cyprus on Operation TOSCA.

Operation TOSCA is the name given to the British contribution to the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP).

Since 1974, the British Army has been deployed to Cyprus as part of the UK's contribution to the UN Peacekeeping Force there. As one of the longest-running continuous operations, around 260 soldiers from the British Army form the largest contingent of the multinational force. 

In an area of continuing tension, they patrol 24/7 along the Buffer Zone that separates the Greek and Turkish Cypriots, keeping the peace and maintaining stability in the country.

Grab a brew, take a seat and join Captain Alex Bradford, Captain Kit Lewis and Captain Alex Park as they discuss life in Somalia on Operation TANGHAM.

Somalia’s vast stretches of coastline along the Horn of Africa are infamous for stories of piracy and illegal activity, but less known is the country’s internal struggle with a lingering insurgency borne from civil war and extremist influence.

Since 2017, the UK Armed Forces have been playing an active role in reinstating security and stability in Somalia by building skills within the Somali National Army (SNA). 

Head to the sunny climate of Bahrain and hear about life on Operation KIPION from Lieutenant Commander Andrew 'Sharkey', Lieutenant Zoe Jones and AB(SC) Rebecca McKenzie.

Operation KIPION is the name given to the Royal Navy’s presence in the Gulf and Indian Ocean. The Royal Navy has been present in the Gulf for more than 30 years securing the safe flow of trade goods. The Royal Navy and the Royal Fleet Auxiliary are on patrol in the region 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Eating mussels in the desert, Justin Bieber bed covers and a peculiar unidentified cactus, deploy to Mali with the Royal Air Force in this episode as they work alongside French forces on counter-terror operations in Mali.  

Flight Lieutenant Matt Jeffery, Flight Lieutenant Steve Wilders and Corporal Marc Towner talk about their time with French forces over a hot brew. 

The UK Armed Forces have been deployed to Mali since 2013, providing logistical support to French combat forces. In 2018, the Royal Air Force deployed three Chinook (CH-47) helicopters to provide logistical heavy ‘air-lift' support to the French counter-terror mission in the region.   

In 2020, after two years the Chinooks and their crews have completed more than 2,000 flying hours, moved over 1,000 tons of equipment and over 12,000 passengers.

Find out what life is like on a UN Peacekeeping operation in one of the most dangerous countries in the world. Captain Jonathan Quicke, Sergeant Matthew Thurtle and Lance Corporal Matt Hughes talk about their time in Mali over a hot brew.   

As part of the United Nations Peacekeeping mission in Mali, soldiers from the British Army and across defence are helping to bring peace and security to the country.   

The Light Dragoons and the Royal Anglian Regiment form the basis of the new task group comprising soldiers from across defence with a wide array of skills, from bomb disposal experts to drone operators and a state-of-the-art medical team.