Territorial Waters
CONFIDENTIAL
Chapter Three
SEO
SAAD
334. The United Kingdom retains a substantial presence in the
Sovereign Base Areas (SBAs) of the strategically-important island of
Cyprus. This is centred on two resident infantry battalions and RAF
Akrotiri, and provides: intelligence and communications facilities; an
airhead for reinforcement, and evacuation when necessary; a Forward Mounting Base (FMB) for operations in the Middle East and North Africa; military search and rescue; and training facilities for resident and non-
resident forces. Other activities include assistance to the Republic of
Cyprus and to the SBA administration, in particular maintenance of law
and order in the SBAS using a mixture of military and civilian personnel.
Military Task 1.16: The Security of Gibraltar
335. The Government is responsible for the defence and the internal
security of Gibraltar. Under the terms of current treaties and agreements,
the United Kingdom provides forces to deter and if necessary defend
against aggression. We also provide a tri-Service Headquarters and facilities for the NATO commander for the Gibraltar area; operation,
protection and maintenance of communications and surveillance
facilities; provision of a FMB and an RAF-manned airfield, which is also
used by civilian airlines; manning and training of the Gibraltar Regiment;
and a destroyer or frigate at specified notice, as a guardship.
Military Task 1.17: Maintenance of a base on Ascension Island
336. The RAF maintain a presence at Wideawake airfield on Ascension
Island to support Falkland Island airbridge and reinforcement plans and to
CONFIDENTIAL
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