The remote island base built on a foundation of forced exile
In short: Nestled in the Indian Ocean, Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia serves as a critical hub for global power projection. Yet, its strategic importance is inseparable from a controversial history: the base was established only after the systematic removal of the island's indigenous inhabitants.
The construction of the facility began in 1971, following the forced removal of approximately 2,000 Chagosians—descendants of workers brought in for plantation labor—from the island and surrounding archipelago. This displacement paved the way for the United States and United Kingdom to develop the atoll into a primary logistics and operational site for the Indian Ocean and Persian Gulf regions.
The base's evolution was a massive engineering undertaking. Starting in 1971, various Seabee units from the Naval Mobile Construction Battalions were tasked with the initial build. By 1982, the project transitioned to a civilian consortium including Raymond International, Brown and Root, and Mowlem. Key milestones included the commissioning of a naval air facility in 1981 and the completion of major port and airfield infrastructure by 1988, allowing for the deployment of heavy assets like B-52 bombers and aircraft carriers.
Today, the facility remains a vital node for 'Base Operating Services.' It supports a diverse array of tenant commands, including the Maritime Prepositioning Ship Squadron Two, which maintains a fleet of deep-water logistics ships in the lagoon. While it has served as a primary launch point for operations in Afghanistan and the Gulf War, its status remains complex; in October 2024, the British government announced a deal to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, with the base leased back to the UK for 99 years.
The facility's role was recently underscored during the 2026 Iran war. After strikes rendered the Bahrain hub ineffective, Diego Garcia became the primary alternative logistics hub for aircraft carrier strike groups, despite being situated roughly 2,200 miles from the Gulf of Oman. This highlights its enduring role as a cornerstone of maritime security and power projection.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia
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