This week I had the privilege of visiting the Falkland Islands and spending the week with British Forces South Atlantic Islands (BFSAI) as part of the Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme.
At 8,000 miles away and a 19-hour flight the Falkland Islands are a British Overseas Territory few people have visited and know little of beyond the conflict in 1982.
The Islands have a civilian population of just 3,300 across a geographical area the size of Wales, plus the tri-service military contingent at Mount Pleasant Complex.
It was a hugely informative week, spending time with British forces and those who govern the Falkland Islands.
The Roulement Infantry Company (currently A Company from 2nd Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles) who alongside their training provide reassurance patrols across the islands.
The RAF’s Quick Reaction Alert Typhoons that provide the air deterrent to Argentinian interests and the A400 supply planes that qualify crews on air-to-air refuelling.
HMS Forth, a River-Class patrol vessel which provides a naval deterrent as well as checks on the Islands’ more remote communities to provide support and resupply as well as security reassurance.
We also had the opportunity to spend time with the Governor of the Falkland Islands and the Falkland Islands Government to understand more about the challenges facing the territory including industrial scale Chinese fishing of squid which threatens the long-term livelihood of the Islands, as well as the opportunities to act as the Gateway to Antarctica.
We also had the opportunity to visit some of the battlefields on East Falkland, visiting Mount Harriet which was taken by the Royal Marines and Goose Green which saw a fierce assault by the Parachute Regiment where Lt Col H Jones was awarded the Victoria Cross; the memorial of the spot where he was killed by an Argentinian machine-gun whilst leading the assault is pictured below.
A hugely informative week which highlighted the challenges faced by our overseas territories as well as the crucial role played by our Armed Forces on providing their security.
PS: Also great to see some of the Islands famous penguins!
