The Ministry of Defence has selected the best 2021 images taken by military photographers, including gleaming uniforms, Red Arrow jets that fly high, and the Queen’s Balmoral Honour Guard. 

Photos that capture the daily life of UK military personnel, including the Afghanistan evacuation and counter-terrorism operations in Mali’s mountains have been chosen by the UK Armed Forces. 

According to the Ministry of Defence, these photographers are all sailors, soldiers and pilots first, and photographers second. They deploy with both their rifle and their cameras.

This powerful shot by Dave Jenkins, Army photographer, of the Guard of Honour at St George’s Chapel when HRH The Duke of Edinburgh was laid into rest is shown. 

An image of an RAF C-130J, flying in support of Operation FORTIS, conducting a nose-up, breaking into the flying circuit over the runway at RAF Akrotiri after returning from Jordan is among the Ministry of Defence's best images of 2021

An image of an RAF C-130J, flying in support of Operation FORTIS, conducting a nose-up, breaking into the flying circuit over the runway at RAF Akrotiri after returning from Jordan is among the Ministry of Defence’s best images of 2021

An RAF Flight Sergeant (from 27 Sqn, RAF Odiham) operates as the rear crewman as the Chinook transits through the Hombori mountains in Mali at sunset. The Royal Air Force Chinooks currently deployed in Mali in support of French Military Operations there have passed a significant milestone after recording 3000 hours of operational flight time

As the Chinook passes through Mali’s Hombori Mountains at sunset, an RAF Flight Sergeant from 27 Sqn (RAF Odiham), acts as the back crewman. After 3000 hours of operation flight time, the Royal Air Force Chinooks deployed to Mali for French Military Operations have reached a major milestone.

A Royal Marine from 45 Commando prepares to plunge into icy water during ice breaking drills as part of the Cold Weather Warfare Course in Norway. As the UK's Cold Weather Warfare Specialists, 45 Commando have returned to the arctic to hone their warfighting skills in one of the most inhospitable environments

A Royal Marine of 45 Commando gets ready to jump into freezing water as part the Cold Weather Warfare Course Norway. 45 Commando, the UK’s Cold Weather Warfare Specialists have been back to the Arctic to sharpen their warfighting skills and live in some of the most hostile environments.

The British Army conduct patrols as part of Exercise Lion Star 5 at RAF Akrotiri with a staged medevac from 84 Squadron (search and Rescue) and RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus. RAF Akrotiri hosted 53 Enabling and Headquarters Squadron while they conducted Exercise Lion Star

British Army conducted patrols at RAF Akrotiri as part of Exercise Dragon Star 5. During Exercise Lion Star, RAF Akrotiri was home to 53 Enabling and Headquarters Squadron.

HMS Queen Elizabeth conducts a night replenishment at sea with RFA Tidespring on June 21 last year. Those who capture these images are all soldiers, sailors and aviators first and photographers second, says the MoD

HMS Queen Elizabeth conducted a night replenishment at Sea with RFA Tidespring, June 21, 2013. The MoD states that photographers will not be allowed to capture such images because they are the first priority for soldiers, sailors, or aviators.

Cpl ‘Matty,’ the chief photographer at the RAF, made the cut. Matthews captured a remarkable image of C-130J Super Hercules completing a nose-up and break into the flying track over RAF Akrotiri. This was after they returned from Jordan.

CPO Owen Cooban, a Royal Navy officer, was honored with an emotional photograph of him hugging his family members after he returned to Portsmouth Naval Base.

Harland Quarrington is the chief photograph officer at Ministry of Defence. He stated that Armed Forces photographers captured the essential work of Armed Forces personnel in Britain and all over the world.

The work of military photographer was essential to the telling of the tragic story of Afghanistan, and of the extraordinary evacuation of 15,000 people this summer.

“I am so thankful to our photographers that they brought amazing stories from all over the globe – from Middle East to Arctic Circle – back to their supporters here in the UK.

Last Wednesday, the MoD posted: “This year, the UK Armed Forces worked day and night around the world to keep us secure.”  

The Queen arriving in Balmoral and being met by an Honour Guard formed of soldiers from 5th Battalion, the Royal Regiment of Scotland, as she made her formal arrival at the Balmoral Estate in Scotland last year

As the Queen arrived in Balmoral, she was greeted by the Honour Guard, which consisted of soldiers from 5th Battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland.

As Prince Philip's coffin arrives at the West steps of St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle from Horseshoe Cloister by a Royal Marines Bearer Party, The Band and Bugles of The Rifles receive the coffin with the National Anthem

Prince Philip’s coffin is brought to the West steps of St George’s Chapel by the Royal Marines Bearer Party. The coffin will be accompanied with the National Anthem when it arrives at Windsor Castle, Windsor Castle, Horseshoe Cloister.

Red Arrows practice images taken from the back seat of Red 10's jet during a photo chase. Flying in Greek sunshine, the kets can be seen perfecting and polishing manoeuvres ahead of the display season

Red Arrows practicing images from Red 10’s plane during a photo chase. The kets are seen practicing manoeuvres and perfecting them in the Greek sun before the show season.

Warships Defender and Diamond received a warm welcome from families at Portsmouth Naval Base after a landmark deployment. The two ships sailed into the base a few hours ahead of aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth

Warships Defender and Diamond received a warm welcome from families at Portsmouth Naval Base after a landmark deployment. Two ships arrived at Portsmouth Naval Base a little more than the HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier.

The Queen's Life Guard on Parade at the Cenotaph. Members of the Armed Forces came together on Remembrance Sunday to commemorate servicemen and women killed in all conflicts since the First World War

On Parade at Cenotaph: Queen’s life Guard On Remembrance Sunday, members of the Armed Forces gathered together to remember servicemen and women who died in any conflict since the First World War.

One of two newly qualified pilots landing an F35B Lightning Jet on board HMS Queen Elizabeth for their first time on August 14 last year, as 617 Squadron welcomed two more pilots

A pilot who was one of the two new qualified pilots that landed an F35B Lightning Jet aboard HMS Queen Elizabeth. This happened on August 14, last year. 617 Squadron also welcomed two pilots.

Members of the UK Armed Forces are seen taking part in the evacuation of entitled personnel from Kabul airport in Afghanistan as they identify and fly entitled personnel to the UK

As they fly the entitled personnel back to the UK, members of the UK Armed Forces can be seen participating in evacuations from Kabul Airport in Afghanistan.

An image showing Army Air Corps AH64 Apache conductinh dust landings while deployed to RAFO Musannah in Oman is featured in the MoD's best images of 2021

A photo of an Army Air Corps AH64 Apache conducting dust landings during deployment to RAFO Musannah (Oman) is included in the MoD’s Best Images of 2021

“They offered their condolences to the families of those who were lost, and they supported our allies as well as our NHS. 

“Wishing all of you a Happy and Prosperous New Year!”

Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force defend the UK and allies, and help promote UK interests worldwide 24 hours per day, 365 days per year.

There are more than 7,500 people on standby at the UK in case of an emergency.

A formation flight of specially painted Chinook and Puma helicopter took place on November 25 last year, to mark over 90 years of combined service. The occasion saw the aircraft take a commemorative flight over several locations in the South of England displaying their bespoke anniversary tail art

On November 25, last year, a formation flight was held by specially-painted Chinook helicopters and Puma helicopters to commemorate over 90 years combined service. It was a special occasion that saw them fly a commemorative flight above several South of England locations, displaying their unique anniversary tail art.

One of the ship's company of HMS Queen Elizabeth looking out to the group formation of ships (left to right: HMS Defender, RFA Tidespring, RFA Fort Victoria, HNLMS Evertsen, JS Kirishima, HMNZS Te Kaha and USS Shiloh)

One of the ship’s company of HMS Queen Elizabeth looking out to the group formation of ships (left to right: HMS Defender, RFA Tidespring, RFA Fort Victoria, HNLMS Evertsen, JS Kirishima, HMNZS Te Kaha and USS Shiloh)

HMS Prince of Wales Ship's Company make final preparations as the Ship leaves Portsmouth Dockyard for operational taskings for the first time in 2021

HMS Prince of Wales Ship’s Company finishes final preparations, as the Ship leaves Portsmouth Dockyard in order to perform operational tasks for the first-time since 2021

Members of the British Army Pathfinders take part in an urban training environment. Pathfinders (PF) is the advance force for 16 Air Assault Brigade, the British Army's airborne rapid reaction force

An urban training area is provided for British Army Pathfinders members. Pathfinders (PF), the advanced force of 16 Air Assault Brigade is the British Army’s aerial rapid response force.

.King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery fired a 41-gun salute from six guns in Green Park to mark the birthday of Prince Wales on November 15 last year

To mark Prince Wales’ birthday,.King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery launched a 41-gun salute at six Green Park guns to celebrate.

HMS Queen Elizabeth (back) and HMS Prince of Wales (front) meeting at sea for the first time as the Carrier Strike Group completed its final exercise before setting sail for its first operational deployment

HMS Queen Elizabeth (back), HMS Prince of Wales, (front) meet at sea for first time. This was the Carrier Strike Group’s last exercise before it set sail on its first operational deployment.