What is Diego Garcia used for today?

In January 1971, U.S. Navy Seabees were transported to the island by landing ship to begin building the U.S. military presence on Diego Garcia. Today Diego Garcia is home to 15 separate commands, including the U.S. Navy Support Facility, which functions as the host command.

What is based at Diego Garcia?

The major tenant commands based at Diego Garcia are Military Sealift Command Office (MSCO), Maritime Prepositioning Ship Squadron Two (COMPSRON TWO), Afloat Prepositioning Ships Squadron Four (APSRON FOUR), Naval Mobile Construction Battalion Detachment, Mission Support Facility, FISC Yokosuka and 36 MXG Pacific Air …

Does anyone live on Diego Garcia?

There is no permanent population on Diego Garcia, although some 4,000 U.S. and British military and contract civilian personnel are stationed on the atoll.

What country owns Diego Garcia?

British Indian Ocean Territory
Diego Garcia is part of the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) formed in 1965 from territory belonging formerly to Mauritius and the Seychelles. The island is one of 52 in the Chagos Archipelago, which extends over an area of 10,000 square miles.

Is Diego Garcia a US base?

As of August 2018, Diego Garcia is the only inhabited island of the BIOT; the population is composed of military personnel and supporting contractors. It is one of two critical US bomber bases in the Asia Pacific region, along with Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Pacific Ocean….Diego Garcia.

Why Diego Garcia is important?

As a former shadow of its colonial self, the U.K. government can point to Diego Garcia as one important way that it contributes to American military and intelligence capabilities, as well as to those of the “Five Eyes” intelligence alliance more broadly.

Is there a naval base in Diego Garcia?

Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia is a British Ministry of Defence facility leased to the United States Navy, located on the atoll Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean.

What language is spoken in Diego Garcia?

The Ilois also evolved a French-based Creole dialect now called Chagossian Creole. Throughout their recorded history, the plantations of the Chagos Archipelago had a population of approximately 1,000 individuals, about two-thirds of whom lived on Diego Garcia.

Can tourists go to Diego Garcia?

U.S. Navy Support Facility, Diego Garcia access to Diego Garcia is limited to official visitors and mission-essential personnel only. Personnel travelling to Diego Garcia require country clearance, which is approved by the U.S. Navy Support Facility, Diego Garcia, commanding officer.

Is Diego Garcia still active?

Can I visit Diego Garcia?

There are no commercial flights and permits for yachts are only issued to allow safe passage through the Indian Ocean (outer islands only). Access to Diego Garcia is only permitted to those with connections either to the military facility or to the Territory’s Administration.

What aircraft are stationed at Diego Garcia?

B-1B Lancer jets
B-1B Lancer jets this week deployed to Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean for the first time in more than 15 years, again boosting the bomber presence on the British atoll.