Sarah Browning-Lee, Joint Programme Officer, British Forces South Atlantic Islands
At the heart of the Cyber & Specialist Operations Command's global presence are our overseas bases, within this is the British Forces South Atlantic Islands (BFSAI), with a mission to safeguard the Falkland Islanders' right to self-determination and to deter further acts of aggression from foreign powers.
Sarah Browning-Lee is crucial to this mission, coordinating and collaborating between the Forces and the Falkland Islands Government (FIG). She has been involved in projects that are making a difference, economically and practically, to those on the islands.
Sarah shared with us the strong relationships she has forged while in BFSAI, and how these are paving the way for the future of the islands.
Bridging two GovernmentsI am the British Forces South Atlantic Islands (BFSAI) and Falkland Islands Government (FIG) Joint Programme Officer. This role sits within the BFSAI Command Secretariat team based at the Mount Pleasant Complex in the Falkland Islands.
I am privileged to work for both BFSAI and the FIG coordinating a suite of joint collaborative projects and initiatives centred around the business needs and objectives of both organisations. We seek to collaborate on projects which deliver mutual benefits to both organisations, and which are aligned to each other's strategic plans and visions.
Together we gain economic and practical benefits through using the local workforce and contracts to deliver projects.
Collaborative projects making a differenceCurrent projects include a Joint Housing Project, which is the construction of 30 new Service Families Accommodation houses on the BFSAI Base and 40 in Stanley for the FIG, and the Joint Waste / Recycling Programme, a new Joint Waste Facility in the capital, Stanley.
These Projects are led by FIG departments and greatly enhance on-Island skills and capacity in critical areas, supporting and enabling the continuation of the economic development of the Islands.
Building economic resilienceThe Falkland Islands provide a fantastic opportunity to work collaboratively particularly on Climate Change and Sustainability initiatives. This work was recently acknowledged through a Spotlight Award Recognition to BFSAI, Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) and myself for upholding and demonstrating the Strategic Command Charter Value of being Innovative in the work and studies undertaken in BFSAI, working alongside the FIG.
Continuity and strategic partnershipMy role is a continuity posting (over one year in duration). There is a high level of stakeholder engagement working across both government organisations and this continuity helps strengthen the working relationship between MOD and FIG and ensures both organisations' strategic objectives and challenges are understood as we work towards joint and individual goals and targets.
Supporting UK Defence prioritiesMy role within the Cyber & Specialist Operations Command cements the strong relationship and commitment that BFSAI and the Falkland Islands Government (FIG) have to each other.
The recently published Strategic Defence Review puts UK Overseas Territories at the top of the UK's Defence objectives. Investing in the Falkland Islands through joint working is a key contributor to this Defence objective. It demonstrates the UK's commitment to the Falkland Islands – the people and their economic prosperity.
Our people are the lifeblood of CSOC – a dedicated force of 26,000 specialists stationed at over 130 sites worldwide. From cyber warriors and medics to intelligence analysts, special forces, educators, and Defence attachés, our specialists are ready to fight across all domains to protect the UK.
Our specialist operators are across every UK operation, delivering the capabilities you don’t usually see - or those you can’t.
seen at 14:30, 20 November in Cyber & Specialist Operations Command.