Directorate of Overseas Bases
Updated 8 February 2023
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Accountable to Commander Strategic Command, General Jim Hockenhull, the Director of Overseas Bases is responsible for the command, direction and support of the following areas:
British Forces Cyprus
The Sovereign Base Areas on the island of Cyprus offer UK sovereignty totalling 98 square miles encompassing the British Forces Cyprus (BFC) bases at Akrotiri, Episkopi, Dhekelia and Ayos Nikolaos.
The administration of the Sovereign Base Areas is managed by a separate civil organisation, the Sovereign Base Area Administration, which also comes under the direction of Commander British Forces in Cyprus in their dual role as Administrator.
Contact
HQ British Forces Cyprus
British Forces Post Office 53
United Kingdom
British Forces Gibraltar
British Forces Gibraltar (BFG) are located throughout Gibraltar as a visible demonstration of the United Kingdom’s sovereignty. Significant military activities include the management and operation of Gibraltar’s only airfield, the military port and command of the Royal Navy Gibraltar Squadron and the Royal Gibraltar Regiment.
Contact
HQ British Forces Gibraltar
British Forces Post Office 52
United Kingdom
British Forces South Atlantic Islands
British Forces South Atlantic Islands (BFSAI) are based at Mount Pleasant Complex and various remote stations as a visible demonstration of the United Kingdom’s sovereignty over the Falkland Islands.
BFSAI also have responsibility for demonstration of sovereignty over South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands and are responsible for the UK’s military activity on Ascension Island.
Contact
HQ British Forces South Atlantic Islands
British Forces Post Office 655
United Kingdom
British Forces British Indian Ocean Territory
British Forces British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) are responsible for providing a visible demonstration of United Kingdom sovereignty of the archipelago. They conduct, on the behalf of BIOT Administration, a number of civil functions ranging from policing to customs and excise.
Contact
HQ British Forces
British Indian Ocean Territory
British Forces Post Office 485
United Kingdom
British Defence Singapore Support Unit
British Defence Singapore Support Unit (BDSSU) is the UK’s permanent military presence in Singapore as the only visible, permanent commitment to the Five Power Defence Arrangement (FPDA). BDSSU manage the wharf at Sembawang and the Senoko Oil Fuel Depot providing fuel and berthing for FPDA and other allied nations.
The team there build on several strategic relationships in South East Asia and with the US contingent, who are collocated in Sembawang.
Contact
British Defence Singapore Support Unit
British Forces Post Office 489
United Kingdom
Global Support Organisation
The Global Support Organisation (GSO) provides support to around 5,000 MOD personnel and their families worldwide.
Contact
HQ Global Support Organisation
SHAPE
Casteau
British Forces Post Office 26
United Kingdom
Joint Arms Control Implementation Group
The Joint Arms Control Implementation Group (JACIG) is the UK’s Arms Control Verification Agency. It carries out a range of arms control and verification functions (including inspection, evaluation, escort and training duties).
Contact
Joint Arms Control Implementation Group
RAF Henlow
Bedfordshire
SG16 6DN
United Kingdom
Related information
Global Support Organisation
The Global Support Organisation supports and enables Ministry of Defence personnel and UK Defence activity overseas.