Jul 13 – CBF: Gibraltar Now Getting “More Bang For Its Buck” When Tackling Spanish Incursions
Gibraltar’s Commander of British Forces these past two years, Commodore Ian McGhie, is retiring from the post later this week. He’ll be replaced by Commodore Mike Walliker.
We caught up with him to speak about the highlights and challenges he’s faced during his time as the most senior military officer on the Rock.
What has your time on the Rock as CBF been like?
I think this answer falls into two buckets: there’s a personal side and a professional side. I’ll take the personal side first. Doreen and I immediately found Gibraltar an intoxicating place. Gibraltarians were very warm and open and welcoming to us. Enjoying living in Gibraltar with Gibraltarians was definitely one of the highlights for us.
On the work front, I think we’ve had lots of opportunities which we’ve exploited positively like the runway resurfacing which we did without too much disruption. We’ve also done another lands agreement which I think is good for both the MoD and the Government of Gibraltar. We’ve also transferred what was the Defence Fire Service to the new Airport Fire and Rescue Service. There are lots and lots of positive things that I look back at like a new Officers’ Mess, a new band block and a new facility for the GDP. There have been many, many highs – perhaps mixed with the odd low but predominantly I feel very buoyant as I step off the post of CBF.
How has the response to repeated incursions by Spanish state vessels evolved in your time as CBF?
Without going into too much detail, I would say that following a spate of what I would call irresponsible actions out in the water by some Spanish government vessels, we did last autumn change our patrol posture. Whilst those sorts of incidents do occasionally occur, I think we have seen a relative downturn in the more serious incursions that give us all cause for concern. As ever, we have to monitor to this and, along with our colleagues at the RGP, HM Customs and GDP out on the water, we have to make sure that what resources we’ve got are shared out equitably so we deliver most effect.
That’s another highlight: the cross-agency interactions are far better placed now because people want to collectively work together to deliver some good. Gibraltar is now getting more bang for its buck.
Why does Gibraltar still matter to the MoD? A decrease in the MoD’s footprint on the Rock still means we remain of strategic value, right?
The two main drivers that make Gibraltar a forward mounting base of choice – a maritime and air pit stop – are its strategic location and the fact that it’s a very welcoming and accommodating place for military activity. So yes, location is key as it’s one of the busiest and most important seaways in the world. But we must also note that we are very well supported out here by everybody from the Chief Minister down to the gentleman and lady on the street.
One of the most tragic events during your time as CBF was the death of Private Matthew Boyd in Wales. How did that affect the Regiment and the wider MoD in Gibraltar?
It had a real impact. First of all, I’d like to say that my heart remains out to Matthew’s family. It had an immediate, deep and poignant impact on all of us including UK defence personnel not on the Rock. It really hit the Regiment and it really hit Gibraltarians. As we all know the Royal Gibraltar Regiment is the people of Gibraltar’s regiment. The Regiment reacted stoically and sympathetically and they did what they had to do which was be deeply affected by Matthew’s tragic demise but also, at the same time, they dusted themselves off pretty quickly. Of course, it’ll never be life as normal as regards Matthew – we’ll always remember him.
What’s next for Commodore Ian McGhie? Where are you headed after retirement?
When I came here, Doreen and I said we really enjoyed and loved Gibraltar and we’re about to prove it because I’ve decided to retire slightly early from the Navy which has been a brilliant employer for me and we have set up our own management consultancy company called Highfield Consultants. Our future is very much in Gibraltar.
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