The Armed Forces recognise that communication between service personnel and their loved ones at home is an important factor in maintaining high morale.

With families back at home understandably anxious about communications being restricted, we've set out some details of the best ways to keep in touch.

Remember post and e-mails will be getting through - so keep writing.

However mail should only be sent to named individuals - it should be clearly marked with their name, rank and unit together with the appropriate BFPO number.

HM Forces Aerograms - “Blueys”
The cheapest and easiest way of writing to those on ships or units abroad is to use the blue HM Forces Aerograms which are available free from all post offices. They are also available from family welfare offices.

Postage is free for units on deployment so you do not need a stamp.

The top right hand corner of the bluey must be clearly marked "Operation Telic" or “HM Ship in Foreign Waters”.

Electronic “Blueys”
If you have access to a computer connected to the internet you can use the e-bluey system.

This is the electronic version of the free aerogram. It allows family and friends to log on to a web site (www.bfpo.org.uk) and type a text message of up to four pages to service personnel on operations.

E-blueys are not e-mails, they are real letters that are sent over the internet. They are printed out and sealed in special envelopes in the operational area and then delivered using the normal military mail system.

The system is completely confidential as only the originator and the recipient see the text and the service is free.

The great advantage of this system is its speed of delivery. Typical an e-bluey will arrive in around 24 hours.

At present e-blueys only operate one way; service personnel cannot use it to send, return or reply to e-blueys.

Packets & Parcels
It is not possible to send parcels to British Forces on Operation TELIC in the Middle East.

However a small packet weighing under two kilograms can be sent via UK Post Offices and Forces Post Offices overseas. Ask for the packet rate at the Post Office.

Familymail and E-mail
An e-mail facility has been introduced to all Navylink fitted ships and is referred to as “Familymail”.

Anyone ashore with Internet access may send E-mail messages to personnel onboard. Familymail's are restricted in length. The only attachments allowed are ASCII text files, and e-mails should not exceed 2.5 kilobytes.

Royal Marines, if embarked in HM ships, will have access to Familymail.

Once deployed ashore, an E-Mail facility may be established, providing the operation is of sufficient duration and security situation allows. This is by no means guaranteed.

It should be noted that privacy is not guaranteed at the ship end. Operational considerations may require the suspension of the service from time to time, restricting or delaying its use.

Most ships send weekly news, which can be heard on the Family Information Link Line. Details are available from the Sailors and Families Advice Bureau on 01752 569696.

Operational Considerations
Operational considerations may sometimes prevent or delay (up to several days in some circumstances) all forms of communication including telephones and e-mail to and from units.

This could include the use of personal mobile phones. Such restrictions may have to be imposed without notice.

However the transmission systems will be brought back on line as quickly as is operationally sensible.

Families and friends are advised to continue sending e-mails as they will get through once the facility is restored.

Urgent messages
If you need to get an urgent message to someone on a ship the best route is the Naval Personal and Family Service (NPFS) based in each base port. For Devonport the number is 01752 555041.