MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

MPA, South Atlantic, where's that?

SOME Falkland Islanders describe the military base at Mount Pleasant as the “Death Star.” The site actually resembles a cross between a university campus and a light industrial estate - with some Rapier missile batteries thrown in.

All three Services are represented, and the site, some 35 miles from Stanley, was chosen because there is ample room for a large runway. A deep water inlet nearby, capable of accommodating warships, was an added attraction.

The airport was opened in 1985 and meant the number of troops stationed on the island could be reduced to an economical but secure level. "Should the need ever arise, we can fly reinforcements in quickly," says Air Commodore Richard Lacey.

The Royal Navy operates out of the East Cove Military Port, six miles from the airport, home of the Falklands Islands Patrol Vessel (FIPV). At the moment HMS Dumbarton Castle performs this duty. Her primary aim is to act as a visible deterrent by actively patrolling the Falkland Islands and surrounding waters, as well as being available for immediate tasking as required by CBFSAI. The Ship is multi-role, capable of performing maritime interdiction operations and radar support as well as being able to operate helicopters up to Sea King size.

"As well as regularly patrolling the Islands we have the range to reach the extremities of the South Atlantic Overseas Territories, as proven by our recent passage to South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands", explains Lieutenant David King.

In addition the Atlantic Patrol Ship (South) provides a strengthened naval presence in the form of a Frigate or Destroyer. At the moment the Type 23 Frigate HMS Portland carries out that duty, supported by RFA Grey Rover. At times a Nuclear Attack Submarine supplements the force.

The main land deterrent is currently provided by a company-strength force from the Queen's Lancashire Regiment. They patrol across the islands and, thanks to the open spaces, enjoy realistic live firing training.

Air defence is provided by No 1435 Flight, operating Tornado F3s, supported by 1312 Flight operating VC-10 tankers, Hercules C-130s. 78 Squadron operates Chinook and Sea King helicopters.

The Tornados often provide a fighter escort for aircraft inbound from Britain via Ascension Island, flying out to give new arrivals a welcome sign that their 18-hour journey is almost over.

In a crisis, Mount Pleasant's single runway - said to be wider than most to cope with the frequent strong cross winds - would be an important element of the islands' defences. Reinforcements would be flown in at short notice via Ascension Island, which is positioned conveniently almost half-way between the UK and the Falklands. But, if needs be, the RAF could fly transport aircraft to Mount Pleasant non-stop, refueling in mid-air.

"The RAF don't do the regular trooping flights from the UK at the moment," explains Air Movements Officer Pete Polidano. "We are committed to so many places in the world, and it's easier to get a commercial airline to fly MOD charters to the Falklands than to Basra."

At the moment the charter service is being operated from RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire by an Icelandic Air Boeing 747. The charter flights also take fare-paying passengers from the Falkland Islands.

Pete Polidano and his RAF Movements team make sure all passengers are processed and comfortably settled on whatever aircraft is using Mount Pleasant, be it a RAF VC-10, Tri-Star or Hercules or an Icelandic 747. "Because there are fare-paying passengers, we have to operate by the same rules as a civil carrier," he says.

And they never know what kind of cargo they'll be loading. "We've had regimental goats and specimens of dead penguins."

Being 8,000 miles from home can be daunting, but it helps to know that Mount Pleasant's professional movers can get you home quickly. Pete Polidano's crew prides itself that they can get Servicemen and women back to the UK for compassionate reasons within 24 hours, even if it means laying on Hercules to take them to Montevideo in Uruguay and then on by civilian flight to the UK. (Focus, June 2005).-