Navy
Diego Garcia: Britain's Rare Tropical Posting
When it comes to military postings around the world, one of rarest and most sought after is in the middle of the Indian Ocean.
Diego Garcia is part of the British Indian Ocean Territory and has been leased to the United States for some fifty years.
However, it still requires a small contingent of British Forces personnel for administration and to maintain British sovereignty.
The UK bought the Chagos Islands, which includes Diego Garcia, in 1965 for £3 million to create the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT).
The island is seven degrees south of the equator and 640 miles from the nearest land. In the middle of nowhere but strategically half way to everywhere.
There are just over 40 Brits serving on Diego Garcia. Most are Royal Navy and Royal Marines, but the British Army and Royal Air Force also deploy a small contingent.
More from Forces TV:The Challenges Of Commanding A Tiny Island
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