Leading article: They also serve in peacetime

This newspaper opposes the war but supports our troops in Iraq. At the same time, we believe that the British forces' mission in Afghanistan is important and wholly justified, and that must be seen through. In both cases, the British nation is asking its soldiers to risk their lives. That is a big deal. The terms of the deal have been codified since the 19th century in the Military Covenant. The current version published by the Ministry of Defence sets out "the mutual obligation between the nation, the Army and each individual soldier". In return for what we ask of them, soldiers are entitled to the resources to do the job, to be cared for if injured, and to know that their families would be looked after if they die.

This is a long-term, expensive commitment. In much of civilian life it is only fitfully recalled at times of local, brief conflict, such as the Falklands and the first Gulf War. Now, with more of our forces seeing more active service for longer, the nation should renew its solemn, life-long duty of care to all those facing danger on our behalf.

While Tony Blair has been excessively willing to order British forces into action, we do not believe that he has taken the Government's side of the covenant seriously enough. On Tuesday, we will deliver a letter to the Prime Minister, signed by hundreds of military families, former service personnel, politicians and The Independent on Sunday readers. All we are asking are that his actions should match his words. Only last week, he repeated last October's promise to commanders on the ground, "Whatever package they want we will do", although this time he added a lawyerly "insofar as it is possible". He also promised "to create the circumstances in which our armed forces who are injured are given the best and highest possible care". This is harder than dealing with equipment shortages and it requires - as the experience of some Falklands veterans testifies - a sustained commitment over decades. Mr Blair was right to say it. Now he and his successors must deliver it.

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