In addition to other facilities, Diego Garcia currently is the home of Detachment 2, 22nd Space Operations Squadron of the U.S. Air Force, which is the newest of eight worldwide satellite command and control stations that constitute the Air Force Satellite Control Network. This Detachment is essential for launch, operation, and in-orbit command, control, and mission data recovery of over 110 U.S Dept of Defense and other National and Civil Agency satellites that enhance that capabilities of conventional forces of the U.S. and allied nations. This Detachment also provides support to NASA’s Space Shuttle and Goddard Spaceflight Center, NATO and United Kingdom satellites.
Unlike in other critical sub-regions of Asia, in the Indian Ocean littoral, the U.S lacks reliable host-nation bases and is unlikely to acquire them. For that reason, Diego Garcia, whose location and political reliability give it significant utility for both routine operations and crisis response, is central to US power projection in the IOR. In its current state, Diego Garcia fulfills an important regional support role for logistics and operations. However, planned cnstruction on the island presents a significantly expanded role for the island as a primary hub for U.S power projection in the region.
However, in the recent past, the demands for re-settlement of the original inhabitants, the Chagossians have orpened a new debate and Mauritius has constantly pressurised the U.K to return Diego Garcia and the other 54 islands in the Chagos archipelago to Mauritius. Add to this the recent spat over allegations on the U.S, about some shady prison cells set up on the base without express consent from the British. It is unlikely though, in the current context, Britain would agree to any such commitment for the distant future, even though the agreement setting up the American base, signed by the US and UK in 1966 expires in 2016. Though it includes a 20 year optional extension, for which both parties must agree to extend, modify, or end it by December 2014.
This warrants a debate as to what would be the future of Diego Garcia. I would thus request you Gentlemen for your assessment on the topic - What would be the eventual status of Diego Garcia as a Naval and Air Force Base, say 30-50 years from here.
1. Would the U.S still be economically and militarily able to hold on to this base?
2. Would the U.S return the base and associated infrastructure to the U.K?
3. Would the U.K be able to hold on to Diego Garcia?
4. Would the British return Diego Garcia and the rest 54 islands to Mauritius?
5. Would the U.S hand over the base to India or say China and enter into some sort of treaty on maritime security and free navigation etc?
6. Would rights over the base lead to some sort of military confrontation between parties with vested interests?
7. Or would everybody just pack their bags and go home, rendering Diego Garcia a no man's land?
Unlike in other critical sub-regions of Asia, in the Indian Ocean littoral, the U.S lacks reliable host-nation bases and is unlikely to acquire them. For that reason, Diego Garcia, whose location and political reliability give it significant utility for both routine operations and crisis response, is central to US power projection in the IOR. In its current state, Diego Garcia fulfills an important regional support role for logistics and operations. However, planned cnstruction on the island presents a significantly expanded role for the island as a primary hub for U.S power projection in the region.
However, in the recent past, the demands for re-settlement of the original inhabitants, the Chagossians have orpened a new debate and Mauritius has constantly pressurised the U.K to return Diego Garcia and the other 54 islands in the Chagos archipelago to Mauritius. Add to this the recent spat over allegations on the U.S, about some shady prison cells set up on the base without express consent from the British. It is unlikely though, in the current context, Britain would agree to any such commitment for the distant future, even though the agreement setting up the American base, signed by the US and UK in 1966 expires in 2016. Though it includes a 20 year optional extension, for which both parties must agree to extend, modify, or end it by December 2014.
This warrants a debate as to what would be the future of Diego Garcia. I would thus request you Gentlemen for your assessment on the topic - What would be the eventual status of Diego Garcia as a Naval and Air Force Base, say 30-50 years from here.
1. Would the U.S still be economically and militarily able to hold on to this base?
2. Would the U.S return the base and associated infrastructure to the U.K?
3. Would the U.K be able to hold on to Diego Garcia?
4. Would the British return Diego Garcia and the rest 54 islands to Mauritius?
5. Would the U.S hand over the base to India or say China and enter into some sort of treaty on maritime security and free navigation etc?
6. Would rights over the base lead to some sort of military confrontation between parties with vested interests?
7. Or would everybody just pack their bags and go home, rendering Diego Garcia a no man's land?
Comment