Paratroopers' activities on Tristan while awaiting extraction
Report and photos from Kelly Green
Having said goodbye to the paratroopers and military medics who arrived on Tristan earlier this month as part of the emergency medical support operation, we would like to take a moment to thank them for everything they did during their time on the island.
Whilst the two military medics worked tirelessly at Camogli Hospital, providing valuable support to our healthcare team during a challenging period, the other paratroopers also became involved in island life and community activities.
Above and below: The paratroopers helping to replace fencing at The Patches
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They spent time helping the Agriculture Department to replace fencing at The Patches. They also visited St Mary's School where they met the children and shared some of their equipment, giving pupils a chance to see and feel what life in the military is like.
Getting comfortable in a bivi bag tent shelter.
Above and below: Trying out full sets of headgear.
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| Trying a day & night observation & location unit and walkie-talkies. | |
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| There's lots of things to explain, and Miss Marina is checking everything is OK. | |
The Tourism Department also organised a guided walk to The Ponds on the mountain, giving the team an opportunity to experience a little of Tristan's unique landscape. They even got to take part in the traditional Tristan pillow dance, which was a lovely way to share a small part of island culture with them.
The paratroopers taking part in the Pillow Dance in Prince Philip Hall.
A massive thank you to the whole team for their hard work, support and enthusiasm during their time on Tristan. It was a pleasure to meet you all, and we wish you a safe journey home.
Finally, here are a few more photographs of the transfer of personnel and kit from HMS Medway:
Paratroopers watching operations in the harbour.
The new medics look like they were enjoying the rough ride into the harbour.
RIB struggling with choppy seas as it approaches HMS Medway. Photo: Odile Cesari
HMS Medway Departs after Successfully Exchanging Personnel
Report and photos from Administrator Philip Kendall
At first light in the morning of Sunday 24th May 2026, HMS Medway made her second approach to Tristan. Initially, the conditions looked as tricky as they were the day before, but the Tristan coxswains agreed to give it a go.
HMS Medway's view of Edinburgh of the Seven Seas. Photo: Ministry of Defence
With the Medway cruising up and down in front of the harbour they were able to get the civilian medics and one crew member off first and then the military medics and paratroopers boarded the ship.
Administrator Philip Kendall with civilian medic Ross Moy and the departing military medics.
The conditions were very much on the edge with a big swell and strong winds, but the amazing Tristan RIB crews and the Medway’s crew did their best to offload and backload the kit.
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| Above: The departing paratroopers gather with the Medway crew member on the quay. | |
| Below: Paratroopers and their backpacks leaving in the Fisheries RIB. | |
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| The video of the returning Fisheries RIB (right) nicely shows the challenging conditions they had to contend with. | |
In the end it was deemed unsafe to continue, so some of the kit remained on island and will be shipped at a later date.
With everyone safe onshore and onboard, HMS Medway set sail for the Falklands on Sunday afternoon.
Adminstrator Philip Kendall said:
"My admiration for everyone involved in this operation is hard to put into words. From the RAF who flew here two weeks ago, to the Army who jumped from the plane, and the Royal Navy who came to pick them up in challenging conditions. Also the people of the Falklands for assisting us in our time of need. But most of all, the people of Tristan whose bravery today, coupled with the hospitality and friendship offered to all the visitors in the last two weeks, have made me so proud."
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| HMS Medway uniform patch | HMS Medway departing back to the Falkland Islands |
This is a cross-territory effort. Four of the arriving medics are from the United Kingdom, and two from the Falkland Islands. The Falkland Islands Government had issued a Press Release about their contribution to the operation. Actually, one of the Kelpers is really a Saint - 'Spurs' having moved to the Falklands from St Helena 30 years ago.
Hantavirus - The Next Steps, 23rd May 2026
Report and photos from Philip KendallSince the daring parachute drop on the 9th May 2026, our focus has been on giving the best care possible to our infected patient, supporting our excellent medical team and working out how to get the paratroopers off the island. As one of our visitors told me, until we can devise a way of parachuting back up, the only way off the island is by ship. Whilst the two military medics have been working hard in the hospital, the other paratroopers have been getting involved in the community. They helped Agriculture Department with some fencing, visited the school and even managed to do some pathfinding on the base. |
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| Right: A sight that won't be seen again on Tristan any time soon Parachutes being laid out in Prince Philip Hall |
Relief Visit by HMS Medway
A Public Notice announcing the following developments was issued on the island on the 20th May.
HMS Medway has travelled all the way up from the Falklands with a relief (civilian) medical team and more medical provisions. Having arrived after dark on Friday 22nd May, they will be here for a few days before heading back to the Falklands with the paratroopers.
Briefing in HMS Medway's wardroom. Photo: Ministry of Defence
On Saturday morning, first light, the Medway made her approach just outside Calshot Harbour and made radio contact.
HMS Medway off Tristan on the 23rd May 2026.
Although the island and ship were both ready, the weather had other ideas, so HMS Medway will patrol the area until the weather improves. The paratroopers are ready in case a window of opportunity appears.
HMS Medway stationed off Calshot Harbour early Saturday morning, awaiting a break in the stormy weather.
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| Paratroopers making their way to the harbour in readiness for their departure. | |
The Islands' Gratitude
The good news is that the one suspected case on Tristan is now well enough to recuperate at home, and whilst we have a handful of people in precautionary isolation, we are moving in the right direction. The newly arrived civilian medics will relieve our tired medical team and give them all a well deserved rest, therefore enhancing the medical resilience of the island.
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The paratroopers had a video call with the Governor and he presented them all (through me) the Governor's challenge coin. The only other recipient on Tristan was Owen Glass after he became the youngest person to speak in Parliament. In order to say thank you to the paratroopers, the Chief Islander and I invited them to the Residency for a drink, where we gave short speeches of thanks and exchanged plaques. It is hard to put into words how grateful we are to these brave men. |
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| The Governor's Challenge Coin. |
Islanders say thank you to the paratroopers and army medics with drinks at The Residency.
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| Administrator Philip Kendall exchanging plaques with Captain George Lacey during thank you drinks. | |
Details of the Daring Airdrop at Tristan da Cunha, 9th May 2026 |
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| More details and pictures have come in of the intrepid airdrop of urgent medical support sent to Tristan by the UK Government on the 9th May 2026. 12-May-2026 |
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First Ever Emergency Airdrop onto Tristan |
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| The first ever emergency airdrop of medical supplies and personnel onto Tristan took place on the 9th May 2026 as part of the UK Government's response to the MV Hondius hantavirus outbreak. 9-May-2026 |
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Public Notices Regarding the MV Hondius Hantavirus, 6th May 2026 |
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| Three public notices on the implications of the hantavirus outbreak for Tristan. 7-May-2026 |
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Suspected Hantavirus on the Cruise Ship MV Hondius |
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| Public notice regarding the public health implications of the outbreak of hantavirus on the cruise ship MV Hondius, which visited Tristan in April 2026 during her voyage. 4-May-2026 |
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Special Visit by the SA Agulhas II |
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| The SA Agulhas II diverted to Tristan on the 23rd February 2026 to pick up a medevac. 23-Feb-2026 |
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Retirement of Teresa Green |
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| Teresa Green retired from the dental team at Camogli Hospital on the 7th October 2025. 30-Oct-2025 |
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