British Forces Gibraltar explained

For more than 300 years the UK Armed Forces have had a presence in Gibraltar, here’s what you need to know:

With more than 34,000 people living in Gibraltar, it is self-governing, except for defence and foreign policy. It’s been under British rule since 1713 and its border with Spain is just over a mile long.

Gibraltar is small — at just 2.6 square miles in size — yet all three military services have a presence there.

Pictured is an aerial view of Europa Point (the southernmost point of Gibraltar).

While no aircraft are permanently stationed at RAF Gibraltar, they are ready to assist when needed. RAF Gibraltar also doubles up as the international airport, as well as the main road to the Spanish border.

The small rock poses its own unique issues and challenges. Pilots have to navigate touching down next to the Rock of Gibraltar, while military aircraft are required to avoid prohibited Spanish airspace.

Royal Air Force C17 from RAF Brize Norton, Lands and RAF Gibraltar and unloads aid which will be loaded onto the HMS Ocean and onwards to the hurricane relief effort for Hurricane Irma. (2017)

While in the sea, the Royal Navy’s Gibraltar Squadron patrols the territory’s coastline, escorting visiting ships and submarines. Their mission is to provide security in British Gibraltar Territorial Waters (BGTW) and to reassure the locals.

A large number of Government vessels enter the Gribraltan waters every day. The majority are just transiting through on innocent passage, however, there is a small number of Government vessels that breach the regulations of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

• Patrolling the shores of Gibraltar

A Scimitar Class Fast Patrol Boat, based at Gibraltar conducting reassurance and demonstration of UK sovereignty in British Gibraltar Territorial Waters.

As well as the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force, the British Army also has a presence in Gibraltar. Known as the ‘Barbarians’, the Royal Gibraltar Regiment is the only formed Army unit in the territory, they are a light role infantry battalion.

British Forces Gibraltar personnel from the Royal Navy, British Army, Royal Gibraltar Regiment and the Royal Air Force raise the flag on the ‘Rock of Gibraltar’ as part of the Armed Forces Day campaign.

Find out where else the UK Armed Forces are deployed here 👇