Defending the Falklands - Read first post before posting

[baboon6]

This past sumer I was in France and Belgium as part of the 65th anniversary of D-Day celebrations. Long story short I was in Belgium in a pub drinking with a unit of Scotish signalers(territorial army). I got to talking to this old fella with a set of para wings on his shirt. He was a monster of a man. All of his soldiers called him Sgt major. Even though his actual rank was Captain...apparently forced upon him sometime in his 42nd year of service..... Anyway back on track here. He fought in the Falklands as a young radio operator in 2 para. He was the personal radio operator for Colonel Jones,who recieved the VC on Goose Green. He retold to me the entire story of the battle and the rest of the battles he was in. He was even on board the transport ship that was hit with the Exocet. The guy was truly amazing. He was so humbe and was more interested in my stories from Afghanistan. I have been very interested since chatting with him.

It is quite common for British Army WO1s (equivalent to a US E-9) to be commissioned to the rank of Capt after completing 22 years service. No one is forced to do this though if they do not want or are not offered a LE commission, and are not successful in getting on the long-service list, which enables them to serve until age 55, they must then retire (silly in my opinion- all WO2s/WO1s should be able to get on the long-service list. How this works I don't know, maybe someone can enlighten us). They are referred to as "late-entry" officers and can serve another 10 years or so. These officers mainly serve in logistic and administrative posts (eg. OC Motor Transport Platoon, Regimental Careers Management Officer, Families Officer, Quartermaster-Technical, OC HQ Coy, Quartermaster-Main) within their units, although sometimes thay may serve as 2IC of a line coy/sqn/battery. LEs also complete tours in staff jobs in higher HQs and in training establishments. They are rarely promoted above the rank of Major.

[baboon6]

How big is the force in the FI? I wonder they pick the AUG? I rather use the FN-308 caliber

From Hansard:

http://www.publications.parliament.u...80310w0002.htm

The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Malloch-Brown): As in the UK, there is no compulsory military service in the Falkland Islands. The Falkland Islands Defence Force (FIDF) is a locally maintained volunteer defence force unit, funded by the Falkland Islands Government, working alongside the UK military units based at Mount Pleasant, to ensure the security of the islands. Falkland Island nationals, British citizens, British overseas citizens and Commonwealth citizens aged between 17 and 55 are eligible to apply to join the FIDF. According to the 2006 Falkland Islands census, approximately 1,600 men and women may have been eligible to apply to join the FIDF, subject to medical clearance and selection procedure.

The FIDF is of company strength. The current membership is 75 volunteers.

[seasch]

Very nice post, thank you! I most liked the part about land-mines and the problems still existing.

[magicman]

I remember a show on the history channel about the Falklands conflict, but I don't remember them talking about landmines used to such a large extent. Great article, thanx for posting!!

[witchdoctor]

very informative, I enjoyed it. Thank you for posting.

[Flak]

Excellent post happyslapper!




Thanks for posting!

[happyslapper]

Questions:

1) Are there any South Americans currently residing and working on the islands?

2) Is there any Falkland Island representation in Westminster?

3) Is there a University on the Islands? if not when?

4) Are there direct flights between Mt. Pleasant and Argentina?

5) Given the landscape of the islands, is it true that there's a girl behind every tree?

1) Yes - Theres about 20 permanent residents who hold citizenship of SoAm mainland countries. These are mostly Argentines and Urugauyans.
There are also alot of seasonal workers.
It's worth noting that contrary to much of the propaganda that one might hear, the Islanders consider themselves South American, in the same way as someone from French Guiana might, and consider themselves part of the SoAm community.

2) Yes - They are represented by Meg Munn MP, who is the Minister for Overseas Territories. They cannot vote for a Westminster MP, as their national government is the FIG. Essentially the relationship with Westminster is one of ''we're here if you need us''.

3) No - there is no 6th form either (6th form being for 16-18 year olds). The FIG pays for all FI children to board in the UK (or somewhere else if it's wanted and viable), and alot of the kids then go to university in the UK, again heavily subsidised by the FIG. Most of the proffessionals on the islands are FI born-and-bred, but studied at UK universities under this scheme.
There have been calls for a 'federated' university system similar to those of the Pacific microstates, whereby students from the FI, St Helena, Tristan de Cunha, and the remote territories of other islands could have small campuses. At the moment this is a bit unrealistic. In previous times there was a healthy bilateral relationship with Argentine universities, which was gradually being rebuilt until the Kirchners came along and began playing games.

4) There was something called the 1999 Agreement which was supposed to restore all communications (maritime and air) between the FI and Arg. Unfortunately, the Pink House turned it into a farse, and have banned all charter flights from/to the FI overflying Argentine territory. There are weekly flights by LAN Chile to Punta Arenas. Once a month, it stops in Rio Gallegos en-route. Flying private aircraft between Arg and the FI is no problem, though it has to be to Stanley, not MPA.
Here's something you may enjoy reading:
(part 1)http://falklands-malvinas.com/forum/...e=article&k=17
(part 2)http://falklands-malvinas.com/forum/...e=article&k=18
(in Spanish)

5) haha! pm sent

[happyslapper]

How big is the force in the FI? I wonder they pick the AUG? I rather use the FN-308 caliber

The FIDF only issued the contract for a new rifle in 1992. Before that they used SLRs (British version of FN FAL).
At this time, the British Army were using the L85A1 (as opposed to the current A2), which had a whole world of problems with it, particularly with reliability issues. So, it's no surprise the FIG dumed Royal Ordnance in favour of the Steyr. It's also a fantastic weapon for a small force like the FIDF (they only have 80 Steyr AUGs), what with being able to 'unscrew' the barrel and turn it into a squad weapon etc..
All in all it was probably a wise decision at the time.

The FIDF is company sized, and tends to vary quite a bit and suffer eratic numbers in much the same way as any other volunteer/reserve unit. They genreally number ~100.
If you mean the entire garrison in the FI, that again is variable, but 1500 is a good average.

[happyslapper]

A short BFBS report about the building of the Mount Pleasant base by hastily contracted workers.

[Clockwinder]

I just remember the Ghurkas in tears because the Argentinians surrendered before they could get in the fight. Maybe a company of Ghurkas garrisoned at Pt. Stanley?

[Ordie]

3) No - there is no 6th form either (6th form being for 16-18 year olds). The FIG pays for all FI children to board in the UK (or somewhere else if it's wanted and viable), and alot of the kids then go to university in the UK, again heavily subsidised by the FIG. Most of the proffessionals on the islands are FI born-and-bred, but studied at UK universities under this scheme.
There have been calls for a 'federated' university system similar to those of the Pacific microstates, whereby students from the FI, St Helena, Tristan de Cunha, and the remote territories of other islands could have small campuses. At the moment this is a bit unrealistic. In previous times there was a healthy bilateral relationship with Argentine universities, which was gradually being rebuilt until the Kirchners came along and began playing games.

Thanks for the information.

Given the environment I would imagine UK and US universities setting up marine biology and geology research facilities for graduate and doctoral students.

It is my understanding that the Islanders are still considered Argentines and are entitiled to free university education on the mainland. Understandibly, I highly doubt anyone would take up this offer.

[happyslapper]

I just remember the Ghurkas in tears because the Argentinians surrendered before they could get in the fight. Maybe a company of Ghurkas garrisoned at Pt. Stanley?

As I said in the opening, let's keep the 'rhetoric' about the war out of this thread.
As it happens, Gurkhas have been on the islands many times since '82, and formed the resident RIC earlier this year.

Here is a couple of short articlea about their time there:
http://www.sartma.com/art.php?artid=...09&mo=04&os=11

http://www.sartma.com/artd_6537_05_2009_8.html

[ChrisBV]

1) Yes - Theres about 20 permanent residents who hold citizenship of SoAm mainland countries. These are mostly Argentines and Urugauyans.

Chileans constitute the largest South American community currently residing in the Falkland Islands (161 people according to the 2006 Falkland Islands Census Statistics). Argentines follow next (20 people) and finally, Uruguayans (10 residents).

The Falklands look like a beautiful, breathtaking place to visit and I wish I could be able to do that some day.

[happyslapper]

Chileans constitute the largest South American community currently residing in the Falkland Islands (161 people according to the 2006 Falkland Islands Census Statistics). Argentines follow next (20 people) and finally, Uruguayans (10 residents).

It all gets a bit complicated when exmining the different qualities of residence (permanent/work permit/spouse/etc)!

Here's the full 2006 Census, on the off-chance anyone's interested:
http://www.falklands.gov.fk/document...ort%202006.pdf

[chefjavier]

The FIDF only issued the contract for a new rifle in 1992. Before that they used SLRs (British version of FN FAL).
At this time, the British Army were using the L85A1 (as opposed to the current A2), which had a whole world of problems with it, particularly with reliability issues. So, it's no surprise the FIG dumed Royal Ordnance in favour of the Steyr. It's also a fantastic weapon for a small force like the FIDF (they only have 80 Steyr AUGs), what with being able to 'unscrew' the barrel and turn it into a squad weapon etc..
All in all it was probably a wise decision at the time.

The FIDF is company sized, and tends to vary quite a bit and suffer eratic numbers in much the same way as any other volunteer/reserve unit. They genreally number ~100.
If you mean the entire garrison in the FI, that again is variable, but 1500 is a good average.

Thanks for the info..