Diego Garcia, an isolated island in the Indian Ocean, is home to one of the most secretive and strategically crucial U.S. military bases. Located thousands of miles from Washington, the island plays a critical role for the U.S. Navy, as a key position within flying distance of the Middle East.

Although administered by the United Kingdom as part of the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT), Diego Garcia is leased to the United States for military purposes. Despite being under British sovereignty, the island’s use has been a talk-point for various reasons.

Here’s an in-depth look at this mysterious base and its importance.

Historical Background & Strategic Importance of Diego Garcia:

Diego Garcia was originally home to the Chagossians, an indigenous community forcibly relocated in the late 1960s to make way for a U.S. military base. Since then, the island has become a strategic hub for U.S. military operations in the region. The base on Diego Garcia plays a critical but classified role in U.S. defense, particularly in the Indian Ocean and the Middle East. It serves as a logistics and support center for both U.S. Navy and Air Force missions, facilitating the deployment of aircraft carriers, bombers, and other military assets. Its strategic location allows for swift responses to regional conflicts and humanitarian missions when needed.

Secrecy and Controversy:

Diego Garcia is wrapped in secrecy and is restricted to civilians and journalists. The base has been the subject of controversy, particularly regarding its adverse impact on the Chagossians and the ongoing territorial disputes between the UK and Mauritius.

However, there are also different opinions on the Chagossians, as they may not be the indigenous population. The theory says that the Chagossians were actually African workers brought by the French to work with them for coconut plantations. Later, the land was sold by the French to the U.K. and then U.K. leased the same to the U.S. As per reports, U.S. had paid USD 14 Millions towards rights to establish U.S. base & removing the indigenous inhabitants.

Despite these challenges & controversies, the base continues to be a sensitive location of US military missions in the region.

U.S. Navy needs the location for following reasons:

• It allows for the U.S. to have strategic capabilities in Eastern and Southern Africa without the headaches and political issues that a land base would cause.
• It gives the United States strategic depth in the Indian Ocean.
• It’s controlled by an ally and thus its rights to access are unlikely to be withdrawn.
• It can be used for interdiction in South or Southwest Asia, when necessary.
• It’s remote location and expulsion of the indigenous population makes it possible to engage in an array of top-secret missions & classified experiments.

Diego Garcia home to U.S. Bombers?

As per reports available in public domain, Diego Garcia is home to several weapon systems deployed by the U.S. Navy.

• B-2 Bombers
• B-52 Bombers
• B1-B Lancers
• Remote Tracking Systems
• Space Operation Command

The island is also home to several U.S. Navy Vessels, including Aircraft Carriers.

There is also controversy on the island being turned into a dark site being used for detaining high profile prisoners.

Recent Developments

In recent years, there have been fresh efforts to address the historical injustices made to the Chagossians and to resolve the territorial dispute. However, the strategic importance of Diego Garcia means that the base is likely to remain operational for the foreseeable future.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the United Nations have ruled in favor of Mauritius, stating that the UK’s continued control of the islands is unlawful and that the territory should be returned to Mauritius. However, the UK continues to maintain control over the islands.

In August 2024, U.S. blocked access to the island to a U.K Court Judge, who wished to conduct a hearing at Diego Garcia regarding unlawful detention of SriLankan Tamils who were earlier rescued by British Navy from the Indian Ocean.

Diego Garcia is also known for its natural beauty, especially its coral reefs and marine life. Despite the military presence, environmental conservation efforts have been made to protect its unique ecosystem.

Diego Garcia is a key asset for the US military, providing a strategic foothold in the Indian Ocean. While its secretive nature and controversial history have drawn criticism, the base continues to play a critical role in US defense and security missions.