Falkland Islands Defense Forces

Falkland Islands Defense Forces
badge
active	since 1892
Country	United Kingdom Falkland Islands
Branch of service	Light infantry
Strength	approx. 100 active soldiers approx. 200 reservists
Location	Stanley
Nickname	Falklands Army
Calls	Falklands War
commander
commander	Major Peter Biggs

The Falkland Islands Defense Force (English: Falkland Islands Defense Force ) are an existing from local military voluntary association on the Falkland Islands . The Defense Forces cooperate with the UK military units based in the Falkland Islands.

history

The defense forces were established in 1892.

Falklands War

On April 1, 1982, the Defense Forces of the Falkland Islands were mobilized to repel an invasion of the armed forces of Argentina that occurred the next day and with which the Falklands War began. Of the approximately 120 members of the defense forces at that time, however, only 23 followed the mobilization order . On the morning of April 2, 1982, Sir Rex Hunt , then Governor of the Falkland Islands , ordered the Falkland Islands Defense Forces to surrender to the Argentine Armed Forces.

Organization and financing

The Defense Forces are as light infantry - Company organized.

The commander in the rank of Major and his deputy in the rank of top Warrant Officer ( Sergeant Major ) are professional soldiers . Under an agreement with the UK Department of Defense , a Royal Marines sergeant is assigned to serve as a Defense Forces instructor. All other soldiers in the Defense Forces are unpaid volunteers and serve on a part-time basis.

The defense forces are funded directly by the Falkland Islands government. The annual costs are around 500,000 euros.

Individual evidence

1. ↑ 'We always feel threatened by Argentina'. BBC News , February 18, 2010, accessed March 22, 2014 . 
2. ^ Martin Fletcher, Port Stanley: Falklands Defense Force better equipped than ever, says commanding officer. In: The Times . March 6, 2010, accessed March 22, 2014 .