Royal Navy reservist from Portsmouth reveals what life was like deployed on coronavirus front line

Lieutenant Amy Blake was mobilised as part of the military’s communications command team in the region.

The 25-year-old, who is based at Portsmouth's naval reserve HQ HMS King Alfred on Whale Island, played a critical role fielding questions from the press and setting up interviews.

She joined Operation Rose, which involved some 1,100 military personnel testing for lorry drivers crossing the Channel at Dover for Covid-19.

Taking place over the Christmas period, the massive task saw troops frantically carrying out more than 10,000 tests in a matter of days to clear the backlog of lorries waiting to head to France.

Speaking about her mobilisation for the first time, Lt Blake said: ‘I see myself very much as a vessel to “story-tell” the amazing work our armed forces personnel do in support of the nation, and to do it in a way that the people find relatable.

‘We are all doing what can be an extraordinary job; but we also all have loved ones and lives outside of work we care about, just like anyone else.’

Lt Blake spent her Christmas in crisis communication after the French government shut the borders to hauliers unless they could prove a negative coronavirus test.

‘I received a phone call on December 23 and within a few hours I was on duty to deal with the media frenzy. I then spent my Christmas Eve on site at Manston, escorting BBC News around and providing an interview with the commanding officer,’ she said.

Although now serving part-time, Lt Blake had previously served full-time in the navy for four years as a training observer in the Fleet Air Arm before joining the navy’s presentation team engaging with the public.

And even though drill nights at HMS King Alfred have been suspended until April, as part of naval cost-cutting – which has seen reservists being temporarily stood down – Lt Blake insists serving as a reservist was still an exciting prospect.

‘It’s about being part of something bigger, giving back to the nation, and in cases like the armed forces response to the pandemic, to be able to say you were part of making a difference,’ she added.

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