MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Falklands' MPA updates defenses on “Hesko” Iraq design

MPA personnel set to work on improving the base's defences

Four hundred personnel at the Falkland Islands Mount Pleasant (MPA) spent last week out on the ground laying barbed wire and building defensive positions around the airfield.

They were involved in a base exercise which saw a large effort to update the defenses around MPA, some of which have been around for 23 years. "Normally the exercises would run through various scenarios to ensure we are prepared for any eventualities in and around the Falkland Islands, said Chief of Staff, Group Captain Peter Jones. "However this exercise focused manpower on an important period of housekeeping of the base defenses." The main effort of the week involved the laying of 23 kilometers of barbed wire around the area and the building of new observation posts. These were based on the "Hesko' design used in Iraq and Afghanistan and were filled using 14,000 tonnes of aggregate from the Public Works Department in Stanley. Lt James Benbow from Media Operations said the updated defenses would not affect normal public access to the base although visitors would notice an improved guard room area including barriers and search bays. He commented: "All these modifications will ensure MPA is up-to date with current defensive protocol and able to serve the public in a continuing professional. Penguin News