The Ministry of Defence recently established the COVID Aviation Task force to support civilian authorities with helicopters to provide additional air ambulance and night flight capabilities, as well as the ability to swiftly deliver essential equipment and personnel to where they are needed across the UK.
However, despite the Task Force’s success in England and Scotland, the Welsh Government have declined its offer of support. I urge the First Minister to reconsider this decision and to recognize the value that the Task Force would bring to Wales. Assembly Member, Darren Millar wrote to the First Minister:
I am baffled as to why this offer has been rejected. When we are on a war footing we need to take advantage of every asset at our disposal to save lives and support our NHS.
The Secretary of State for Wales, Simon Hart, has made it clear to Mr. Drakeford that if he needs military support now is the time to put it in place, to ask later will be too late. Additional military support is needed in Wales now.
The heartwarming story of Captain Tom Moore and his fundraising efforts is a shining example of what the military can achieve. Locally, we have seen groups of veterans come together to support our local community in any which way they can.
Our military helicopter crews are probably the best trained in the world and are ready and waiting to help and assist in this national crisis. Mr. Drakeford now is the time to reconsider your decision, you do not know exactly how this crisis will unfold. Surely the prudent decision is to be ready and have the military aviation assets in place and waiting for what the future may bring.
Sarah Atherton MP
Member of Parliament for Wrexham