Paras partner with Falkland Islands Defence Force in joint exercise

Members of the UK's elite Paras and elements of the British Forces South Atlantic Islands have conducted drills to simulate the recapture of key targets on the Falkland Islands. 

The training exercise started with a Rapid Air Land infiltration of soldiers onto the islands' main military base and to secure the airfield.

Exercise Cape Bayonet was the culmination of three months of training for the B Company, 3rd Battalion the Parachute Regiment, who form the current infantry unit on standby in the Falkland Islands.

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Officer Commanding B Company, 3rd Battalion the Parachute Regiment, Maj Iain Thompson said: "The uniquely inhospitable terrain and weather of the Falklands in a South Atlantic winter has resulted in an exercise that has thoroughly tested the company both physically and mentally and has prepared us well for assuming high readiness in 2024."

"Op Firic allows soldiers and commanders to work alongside joint assets, such as HMS Medway, or the A400M that we would be unable to do anywhere else," Maj Thompson added.

The tri-service deployment involved personnel from the British Army, Royal Navy, Royal Air Force and Falkland Islands Defence Force (FIDF).