IN FULL: Statement by Commodore Tim Henry, Commander British Forces Gibraltar, at yesterday’s press conference:

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 Wednesday, April 15, 2020 - 09:34
IN FULL: Statement by Commodore Tim Henry, Commander British Forces Gibraltar, at yesterday’s press conference:

Gibraltar Government and British Forces Gibraltar working closely together

Chief Minister, thank you for inviting me to join your daily press conference today; a physical and visible manifestation of how closely British Forces Gibraltar has been working alongside and in support of the Government of Gibraltar. I thought it might be useful for me to explain what we have been doing as part of Gibraltar’s response to COVID-19.

ESSENTIAL TRAINING

Firstly, and closest to Gibraltar’s hearts, is our Regiment, the Royal Gibraltar Regiment. At the start of the emergency, a large number of the RG were on exercise in the UK and having completed the essential training to remain in date to meet their operational commitments, a decision was made to bring them back early in order that they could be ready to support any requirements here. At the same time, as the Spanish State of Emergency started to be imposed, those that don’t have a home in Gibraltar, but rather live in Spain, were directed to return to the Rock. Many of those chose to bring their families with them and they continue to live in temporary accommodation here for the duration of the emergency.

To date, the Government of Gibraltar have made two requests for military support from the UK, these are generically described as MACA (or Military Aid to the Civil Authorities). The first was for a pool of manpower to support general activity around setting up the Europa Point Hospital and other preparations in Gibraltar.

So far, the RG and elements of the civilian manpower around British Forces Gibraltar have helped the GHA with moving equipment, setting up some of the fencing and setting up some elements of the facility at Europa. With those major works complete they have returned to Devils Tower Camp but are ready to provide further support if deemed necessary and appropriate.

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15-04-2020 PANORAMAdailyGIBRALTAR