British Forces South Atlantic Islands (BFSAI)

To deter any military aggression against the South Atlantic Overseas Territories (SAOT)

Looking down to Port Stanley from Mt Longdon

Forces are based in the Falklands to demonstrate the Government’s continued commitment to the security of UK Overseas Territories in the South Atlantic. They include air defence assets, maritime patrol capability and infantry forces.

In addition, there are regular naval deployments to the region and temporary deployments for routine exercises. The exact force levels are kept under constant review and are structured and maintained at a level consistent with this policy.

905 Expeditionary Air Wing’s Resident Rapier Battery Conduct Live Firing

Rapier Field Standard C Weapon System in use during Exercise CASSIN FALCON

11 (Sphinx) Battery Royal Artillery has been conducting missile live firing near Port Harriet Farm. Exercise CASSIN FALCON is the Resident Rapier Battery’s bi-annual Missile Practice Camp (MPC) which is used to prove the equipments capability and provide continuation training to the soldiers of the Battery.

The Resident Rapier Battery provides the Short Range Air Defence (SHORAD) of Mount Pleasant Complex 24/7 with the Rapier Field Standard C Weapon System (Rapier FSC).

Rapier FSC is a versatile air defence system which uses sophisticated search and tracking radars to acquire, track and ultimately destroy aerial targets. Rapier FSC represents a significant evolution from FSB1 which was used to protect San Carlos in 1982 and Stanley Airfield following the conclusion of hostilities.

FSC provides an all weather capability that can search for and track targets out to a distance of 15km+ and fire a missile capable of travelling at over Mach 2.The Missile Practice Camp is held twice a year at the Port Harriet Range which allows the Battery to test the full system from target acquisition, tracking, to live firing against a remote aerial target in a controlled and realistic manner.

The MPC tests all equipment and personnel. Live firing is an important part of the soldiers’ training. In order to remain combat ready certified Rapier operators must fire a successful live missile each year.

Exercise CASSIN FALCON is the culmination of 12 months intense training using both live air tracks, the Tornado F-3 here in the Falklands, and a combination of synthetic and simulated training.

Contact Details

Postal Address:

SO3 J9 / Media Ops

HQ BFSAI

BFPO 655

Telephone: 00 500 74204

Email: SO3 J9 / Media Ops

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British Forces South Atlantic Islands (BFSAI)

905 Expeditionary Air Wing’s Resident Rapier Battery Conduct Live Firing

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Contact Details

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