Stephen Morgan MP has begun the final stage of the Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme (AFPS), after graduating from all three armed forces services last year.
Strategic Command supports the Ministry of Defence by developing and managing joint capabilities across the land, sea, air, cyber and electromagnetic, and space domains.
The aim of the AFPS is to give parliamentarians, many of whom have little military background, an insight into armed forces life that would not otherwise be available to them. It is then hoped that they will be able to make a more informed and useful contribution to defence debates in their respective Houses.
The programme sees parliamentarians learn more about the vast remit of the Strategic Command including coordinating Special Forces, managing overseas bases, logistics delivery, design of weapon systems and cyber threats.
The course began with Mr Morgan attending the annual Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) event, where he toured exhibition stands with state of the art defence technology and attended talks on using technology and cyber to build defence fit for the future.
Commenting following the launch of this year’s programme, the city MP Stephen Morgan said:
“With Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, it is a timely moment to begin the Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme to understand more about our vital joint services and how defence and deterrence can be strengthened.
As a Portsmouth MP, I know the incredible contribution those serving our country in the armed forces make, often operating behind the scenes to protect us from growing and diverse threats to national security.
I am looking forward to using my experience in Strategic Command to learn more about how our forces work together in defending our country and supporting action elsewhere in the world.”
In previous armed forces schemes, Mr Morgan spent time on the frontline meeting with personnel, joining exercises and visits, staying in the accommodation and visiting military bases to meet British service personnel both at home and deployed overseas.
The Portsmouth MP has been a tireless campaigner for members of the Armed Forces, veterans and their families, speaking up in Parliament on the issues that matter to them.
