MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Falklands' veteran new commander of S. Atlantic forces

Gordon Moulds, MBE RAF

A Falkland Islands war veteran is the new Commander British Forces in the South Atlantic. Air Commodore Gordon Moulds took over as Commander British Forces South Atlantic Islands on June 14 2008, the 26th Anniversary of the liberation of the Falklands from Argentine occupation.

Having joined the Royal Air Force in 1978 and trained as an electronic operator on Nimrod aircraft, he served his first operational tour at RAF Kinloss from where he deployed in support of the Falklands campaign flying from Ascension Island. In 1983 he undertook Navigator training and subsequently operated both the Phantom FG1 and Tornado F3 fighter aircraft. Over the years he has returned to the Falklands many times and watched with interest as the Islands have changed and developed. He was last here between 2004 and 2006 as the Chief of Staff/Air Commander. Air Commodore Moulds has quickly brought himself up to date with local matters through the Islands media and says he was, "…extremely pleased to learn about the recent commendations for the Search and Rescue crew who assisted the Spanish trawler Santa Maria, the positive work of the RIC at Steeple Jason and Exercise "Cape Reach", which saw HMS Liverpool visit South Georgia. For not only are British Forces in the South Atlantic here to deter, they assist the FIG in many ways, such as search and rescue." Air Commodore Moulds says he, "…looks forward to the challenge of the many diverse roles and responsibilities that make up the CBF post, which includes a return to the Tornado F3 Air Defence aircraft and the "sound of freedom"", as Islanders refer to the noise of the aircraft.