In pictures: UK forces prepare

In pictures: UK forces prepare

1 of 9 Exercises, here light weapon firing at sea, have continued despite the first hostilities

2 of 9 In the northern Kuwaiti desert, Iraqi missile strikes have triggered biochemical alerts

3 of 9 British troops are in advanced positions near the Kuwaiti border with Iraq

4 of 9 Troops are setting fires to destroy unwanted equipment as they move from camps to forward positions

5 of 9 Seen through a night scope, an RAF Harrier pilot sits in his cockpit as final checks are made

6 of 9 Vehicle convoys and aircraft have been used to ferry soldiers and material forward, but sometimes going on foot is easier

7 of 9 Royal Navy crews, here taking a break on board the helicopter carrier HMS Ocean, have yet to be involved in action

8 of 9 When the weather allows, units like these medics are having final group photos taken

9 of 9 Last-minute training includes what the army calls close-quarter fighting