Why Diego Garcia Is America's Most Controversial Military Base

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The island of Diego Garcia grants the United States Military an excellent location for a military base but it is not without controversy. Learn about the history of this extremely isolated island and what it is being used for today.
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Animations courtesy of Vincent de Langen

[@weldin]

My 8th grade math teacher was stationed here when he was in the navy. He talked about it all the time. It’s weird how much this island pops up in my life.

[@dudecontroversial8114]

Cinestar Productions okay then.

[@dudecontroversial8114]

Don’t ask

[@ZBlue0]

It's your destiny to go there sometime

[@Dim.g0v]

Did he ever speak about the people fighting for their homeland?

[@sohaibkazi5909]

Then you visit at least chagos archepalago

[@flashstar1234]

How to legally get to Diego Garcia: Fly so many times over the Indian Ocean that by incredible odds, you have an emergency landing where you have to land at Diego Garcia.

[@tuckersmoak6632]

or join the US Navy or become a civilian federal employee for navy bases.

[@a_human8489]

Or just sabotage the plane to force an emergency landing

[@warbirdgaming8091]

@@a_human8489 FBI wants to know your location

[@navdasone4710]

Ship leaving Mauritius,for the Chagos Archipelago ,including Diego Garcia soon. Please notify Mauritius if you wish to secure a place on ship.

[@KozzieJ]

Sounds like a decent job. Why would I want to work

[@gbjr727]

Not only emergency landing for aircraft, but also the NASA Space shuttle. I was stationed there back in 96-97. NASA came out to train us in case they ever needed to use the airstrip. Although isolated, I loved it there.

[@Jahmercy21]

How did it feel to be illegally occupying that island like the russians are occupying the donbass???

[@StatmanRN]

"I am Diego Garcia. You killed my father. Prepare to die."

[@simon77047]

John Pinette

[@AmericanIdiot7659]

Haven't seen a reference like this in a looong time.

[@benn454]

Stop saying that!

[@cmdr1911]

I would say guantanamo bay is the most controversial military base. This is really interesting though.

[@raphaeldean5801]

Idk, I mean, Cuba is much less sympathetic, so much less of the global community would be keen to fight the US for their benefit. What happens at Guantanamo is certainly controversial as well, though. I think they are certainly the two most controversial.

[@ZontarDow]

Guantanamo Bay is controversial because of what has happened there in the past 20 years Diego Garcia is controversial because it exists

[@cmdr1911]

@@ZontarDow last 20? The base has been in US control durring the Spanish American War. Then during the Cold War Cuba was aligned against the US, now it is used as a blacksite, the Cuba has demanded the land back. It has a long and contested history.

[@ZontarDow]

@@cmdr1911 It's the actions which have happened on the base over the past 20 years which have made it controversial.

[@markos9531]

@@ZontarDow At least in the eyes of the Cuban govt, it's been controversial since 1959 as Cuba has continually demanded it be returned.

[@CitySlicker34]

*Okinawa has left the chat*

[@Cpt_Boony_Hat]

Hehe

[@pinakinkale]

Air Force profile picture gang

[@Cpt_Boony_Hat]

@@pinakinkale Nope Navy squadron. But your comment was funny

[@Matter655]

@@Cpt_Boony_Hat that's not his comment

[@Cpt_Boony_Hat]

@@Matter655 he said Air Force picture gang. My profile picture is a Navy squadron not Air Force

[@JosephGelis]

Spent a 3-day USN port-o-call there in the late 80s. Got my Shellback on the way down and certainly enjoyed my stay on this beautiful atoll. I have been to many beaches around the world, but Diego Garcia has the clearest and most pristine water of them all. I guess being so dang far from any other civilization makes a difference.

[@osamabinladen824]

Can I go there as an outsider?

[@bobdob6612]

@@osamabinladen824 lol

[@bobdob6612]

Knew an old hard hat diver from the navy, her was in early 70's maybe late 60's viet nam era. He's got a Zippo he picked up in diego garcia around the 70's and still uses it to this day.

[@rogergraham5092]

Amazingly enough if you would have gone to the ocean side beaches you would find garbage from fishing boats, medical waste, plastic milk jugs, etc. We had weekly beach cleanups while I was on DG for a year. The lagoon is beautiful and so is the ocean but you do not want to become part of the food chain on the ocean side. The island harbors an immense fish population including sharks which you can observe feeding each evening from Cannon Point and other locations.

[@todo9633]

Another reason is the lack of civilians mucking around. Some of the cleanest shorelines are the ones next to military bases and nuclear power plants, because kids can't get into the shoals and ruin the ecology and there's no garbage being left on the beaches.

[@gavinstuart6704]

i was there last year with the royal navy as one our stops, truly amazing. wildlife, beaches with no tourists, very peaceful there and chilled out

[@jk_lol]

Of course it's peaceful and chilled out. Your ancestors kicked out all the people that were living there, just like they've done since time immemorial.

[@bradb5541]

@@jk_lol And the fishing is amazing. I love it.

[@NoKOzKamui]

UN: Hey! You have to leave! US and UK: Why don't you make us. UN: Alright, we'll vote you out. US and UK: Oh that's nice, who's going to enforce it? The Police? We are the Police.

[@DoctorDeath147]

UK: What are you gonna do about it? Phone the polis? Mate, we are the polis.

[@thesaltycabbage]

US and UK: Vito

[@kjj26k]

US and UK: "HA, democracy has No power here!"

[@petert1692]

The MetaGamer It doesn’t exist in both places anyway.

[@Callsign_Prophet]

@@petert1692 Ah I found a trendy US/UK hater that gets offended by jokes

[@DakaryZG]

Indian Ocean: 62% of world's oil America: Allow me to introduce myself

[@MrSafa61]

Lol you are funny. Dog bites because dog is angry. Dog must be castrated and told to not sit on the couch is what you mean.

[@leexingha]

@@willoughby1888 "China, Russia, India, you name them ,they wouldn't just dismiss oil out there for sale. The next guy would grab it up for sure. It's not like the US steals oil either." - are you serious?

[@mobiyan10]

@@willoughby1888 you sound either brainwashed or braindead probably a unhealthy dosage of the two my man really out here glorifying and justifying imperialism

[@cancelanime1507]

Willoughby 1888 Hey someone has common sense in the comments for once! That’s new!

[@cancelanime1507]

Xing Ha Lee But he has a point! No country would dismiss oil out there for sale! He is also right that the US hasn’t actually stolen any oil! These oil/us jokes are getting SO OLD and they have never been funny in the first place!

[@12Agonzo]

Spent two years on the island in the late 70's. Loved the place.

[@TomDeann1995]

Me to built the pipe line to fuel storage.See Bees

[@cartwright8920]

What's it like?

[@jacquesbeatty9755]

I lived on Diego for 4 years ('07-'1)1. There is a commercial airline which transports people from the island but it's only quarterly and it's called the "Contract Flight" which is provided by Philippine Airlines (PAL). This flight is primarily for the Filipino workers who are either leaving or returning from their 90 day vacations taken every 2 years. US contractors are allowed to take the PAL flight for free and can choose to either disembark in Paya Lebar Singapore, or continue on to Manila, Philippines. The natives are escorted back to the island during certain times of the year to visit the land and the grave sites of loved ones. It's really conflicting having worked there and seen the natives returning. Prior to the UN vote, Britain tried to offer the natives any or all of the remaining islands of the archipelago EXCEPT "Diego Garcia", the one with infrastructure. Another interesting thing about the island is how it survived the tsunami despite being only 5-10tf above sea-level at its highest point. This place also boast some of the best deep ocean fishing in the world (I've been told) and the trips are provided by the MWR, which was very good on the island. I could go on for a while, lol but I'going to close here...

[@quandaledingle9972]

I'd love to hear more stories if your down, this island is hella interesting

[@kotnkandy]

“Diego garcia” is the most stereotypical ex boyfriend name

[@cancelanime1507]

Lol

[@nobleactual7616]

@@cancelanime1507 because it sounds hispanic?

[@davisoares7174]

@@nobleactual7616 I mean... it is spanish

[@hala4725]

Trump wouldnt be happy if he heard what you said

[@jayyi5064]

Luke blackmouth?

[@musling4307]

Why did you reupload this? CIA at the door?

[@FloridaMan69.]

because I disliked the last one and he got upset

[@t_cheating8239]

At*

[@runguardian6868]

He uploaded the same video on 2 channels

[@asdsdjfasdjxajiosdqw8791]

@videos_with_ads_get_disliked What a sad life you must lead. Your channel just screams 14 year old edginess.

[@tkoll01]

He needs to do a bricklaying tutorial for the first 30s so the gov doesn't notice, HAI has been flying under the radar ever since :D

[@ericwiedemann1070]

I spent a year on this island when i was in the navy. It was kind of like Gillian island.

[@MrAWD-ox3gk]

Did you see MH 370??? 🤐🤐🤐

[@jerrystephenson1172]

WOW!! was Mary Anne & Ginger there...hahahah

[@briana.1878]

1982-83...Ginger and Mary Ann were definitely not there!😄

[@SuperSaltydog77]

I also spent so time there while with the navy in 76. Yep, like gilligans island.

[@gerardweis43]

@@SuperSaltydog77 Stationed there also in1976 out at the airfield.

[@skyhawk_4526]

My two favorite deployments were at what many would call the two most controversial US military bases: Guantanamo Bay and Diego Garcia. Having said that, I was in GTMO in the mid-90s, prior to the War on Terror as part of JTF-160 during the mass Cuban migrations. The infamous "Camp X-Ray" existed when I was there, but it was for the high-threat Cubans (confirmed murderers, rapists, etc.) in our custody. The vast majority of would-be Cuban migrants lived in other camps on the base that were more like refugee camps than prisons. The ones detained at Camp X-Ray were slated to be "repatriated" back to Cuba because of the severity of their crimes. While I was there, we processed about 20,000 migrants and the vast majority were allowed to immigrate to the US. I got to know quite a few of them, and they used to invite us into the camps off-duty and cook traditional Cuban meals for us. They were by-and-large very nice people. I was at Diego Garcia in 2002 as part of the War on Terror. We launched many of the heaving bombing missions in Afghanistan from DG. I was there as Security Forces and we nicknamed the deployment, "Gilligan's Island with Guns." Even though it was the height of the US War on Terror, we were literally in the middle of the Indian Ocean and the biggest threat we faced were the sting rays lurking in the sand in the lagoon. They were both actually very enjoyable deployments. In both places, the weather, beaches, scenery and swimming were absolutely amazing. I miss those days. I did learn about the displaced native population when I was at Diego Garcia, and I do understand and empathize with their anger at the British for removing them from their home island.

[@kazardomain]

and they claimed MH370 was held hostage there.

[@dorijane008]

Thank you for understanding the anger of my people 😢

[@iLupi]

Can we really call it the most controversial though? I feel like that statement could be said about a lot of US military bases overseas.

[@evilotto9200]

What if the US military gassed everyone's pet doggo or paid the lease with discounted submarine launched nuclear missiles?

[@knockeledup]

Most US military bases don’t have to kick locals out.

[@imjashingyou3461]

@@knockeledup us didnt do that though. The british did.

[@cancelanime1507]

Evil Otto Stfu

[@sOOpAhSCHIEFEL]

@@imjashingyou3461 it's literally what happened in Diego Garcia and Okinawa, not to mention places like the Bikini atoll which were evacuated after the US used them as nuclear testing sites...

[@lbbotpn5429]

You might want to check the definition of 'indigenous. People brought to work plantations in Diego Garcia are not indigenous to Diego Garcia.

[@MarqFJA87]

I believe he was talking about their descendants that had been born on the islands one generation after another.

[@lbbotpn5429]

@@MarqFJA87 By definition, the descendants are not indigenous either. I am a white-as-marshmallow-fluff American - my family has been here for at least four generations. Do you think I could claim to be part of the 'indigenous American population'?

[@rageraptor7127]

It’s a broad term, but since they had enough time to develop a culture and were technically the ones that colonized it. Not the French who actually never did settle it just sorta took the economic output and left. They could be classified as indigenous. The people were also removed as British held citizens which is illegal in most global democratic governments. I would say even if they weren’t classified as indigenous they could still pose that claim.

[@MarqFJA87]

@@lbbotpn5429 You completely glossed over the part that the island had no previous human inhabitants, unlike the Americas. That said, your example is part of the reason why "Native American" as a term for the indigenous inhabitants of the Americas/North America/USA is controversial for being technically inaccurate in its application.

[@senoJSR]

@@lbbotpn5429 ...yes, actually, you could. Europeans were in North America before the native American Indians by thousands of years. www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/9110838/Stone-age-Europeans-were-the-first-to-set-foot-on-North-America.html

[@bonusround5490]

is there a malaysian airline parked anywhere there? i’ve heard a few times there maybe one there somewhere .

[@utkarshverma9045]

🤣🤣🤣 MH370 😂😂😂

[@albesunim5603]

I was a Seabee. NMCB 62. We were the second battalion on Diego. At the time 1972-73 it had the clearest water I have ever seen. Spent a year in the blue water navy before the bees.

[@outrageousastronaut537]

Hoorah I’m currently serving in NMCB133

[@mrkuechler]

Was there with NMCB 62 in 82, last battalion before all work was handed over to the civilian contractors.

[@thepug991]

The UN is like the hall monitor. Can’t do anything to stop bad stuff other than saying “stop that”

[@User31129]

They're like the Chief Justice in an impeachment trial

[@Cpt_Boony_Hat]

No the Chief Justice actually does something. If nothing else he can probably have someone held in contempt

[@PoweredByLS2]

UN mandates don't really apply to the 5 members of the security council (or Israel either apparently). Only to other countries....

[@generalkenobi5173]

@@PoweredByLS2 let me guess the countries so number 1 the u.s number 2 the u.k number 3 the french nimber 4 china and number 5 germany or russia. Have i got them all?

[@PoweredByLS2]

@@generalkenobi5173 Hello there! 😁 Indeed, all those countries you mentioned except Germany are the permanent security council members. Israel might as well be a member cause it can get away with anything.....

[@Fightre_Flighte]

"3 nautical mile radius" >Proceeds to show a 30+ nautical mile radius...

[@heraclitus6100]

Hell of a lot more than that!

[@Fightre_Flighte]

@@heraclitus6100 Honestly I was initially thinking 300+, but I was lazy and didn't want to figure out scaling for half an hour, so I took the easy way: a fine understatement.

[@Lyle-xc9pg]

More like 300

[@Fightre_Flighte]

@@Lyle-xc9pg Glad to see you read the rest of the comments in this thread.

[@brownstonecustomcabinetry5309]

It was correct. That was 3 US aircraft carrier miles. They are slightly larger(x100) than English miles.

[@yourmum2560]

The UN trying to tell the British and Americans what to do is like me fighting Tyson fury, I can try it. Dont suppose I'll get very far

[@luvslogistics1725]

I been. Fascinating lagoon, bright water from pink sparkling sand near shore and huge fish further out (there’s no fishing fleets) so it’s pristine. The coconut crabs are huge. Lots of cool things in a spot so tiny, in some places the road has a narrow strip of sandy beach on each side and a wave can wash over from one side to the next.

[@SkullKing11841]

You know a lot of those 800 military bases are just a small groups of soldiers guarding an embassy or facility. There not all like the ones in Germany for example.

[@kyledavis4202]

How many groups of foreign soldiers do we have stationed on duty here in the US though? I’ll wait

[@thatsmadcrazy8953]

@@kyledavis4202 Britain, Germany, Singapore and more which you can find yourself Thanks for waiting

[@kyledavis4202]

Zxzi Hmmm, I’ve lived all over the US and have been to 40 of the 50 states, and I’ve never seen foreign troop in uniform on American soil. Never. Certainly not the way I see US troops in Japan, Germany, etc

[@thatsmadcrazy8953]

@@kyledavis4202 look harder then

[@tristan2203]

@@kyledavis4202 The most powerful nation in the world doesn't need foreign soldiers in it's country, but they do go there to train with American soldiers

[@dewe6037]

my father was station here during the first gulf war, he was a airplane mechanic. so glad to learn more about the island and his past

[@warren5037]

Sorry to ask this question. How would your father react if he knew about its history or he knew about it, how did he react to it?

[@dewe6037]

@@warren5037 well i cant say for sure how he feels because we have not talked about it much. but he didnt know this stuff while he was there and for the most part he dosnt care all that much

[@warren5037]

@@dewe6037 I see. I guess he was just a simple soldier just following orders, not knowing what happened before. Thank you for replying though, even though your comment was 10 months ago 😊

[@gerardweis43]

Stationed on Diego Garcia while in the Navy back in 1977 for 1 entire year.Worked out at the primitive POL and airfield.Had P3 Orions flying out of there at the time.Air Force would fly C141s out on Wednesdays and Saturdays for supplies.Had a C5 with a U2 fly in together.Could not get near that U2.British and French planes would make occasional visits and one occasion a KC135 with someone with very high ranking aboard.Rumors that there was something secret on one off the three tiny islands at the entrance.Were not allowed to go out there.Nights we went to the enlisted club and drank 10 cent Olympia beer.Get shit faced for $1.No women on the island didn't make it fun though.Wish I could go back there now.

[@John-os6ti]

1980 the airstrip was being extended for b 52s

[@RDBean]

B52s could take off at nite in 73, just sying. I remember the quansit hut barracks, dirt floor E club, no women. Still was and it paced to be able to control IO. Why marxists want USA out. Has nothing to do with human rights

[@RDBean]

Where did 3k come from? Less than 100! Its a small island

[@LAH92]

Diego Garcia what a place! I want to go back😍😍

[@WhatTheFuckIsAHandle]

Was a beautiful place and an easy day

[@anthonycoleman7786]

There 92-93

[@ralphbuschman3364]

I agree was there with MCB 4 , back in 70's. We were still building out runway to allow for C5 and other heavy haul planes. We were told it was a communication station. I don't think anyone really believed the communication station story. I rem🎉the fishing as being incredible. We used to take the landing boats out of harbor on Sundays to go for bigger fish.

[@LAH92]

@ralphbuschman3364 flipping heck! You would have been there when it was getting built up then!! I went there and somebody in like 50 years got attacked by a shark. Beautiful place without a doubt ☀️☀️

[@ralphbuschman8141]

Yes we were still building out all of everything except for flush toilets. Most of us bought a set of fish gear and ate what we could catch not dining hall food. Often was a shark or tuna over 5 foot long. Would love to see " finished product ".

[@silverjohn6037]

For the most part a fairly balanced documentary. Some of the stock footage you're using though is inaccurate and, in one case, appears to have been deliberately chosen to be misleading about the circumstances you're trying to report. This could hurt your credibility if you're trying to advocate for the islanders. At 5:12 you're using a Canadian ship (the Maple Leaf flag at the stern being a dead giveaway) instead of an American one. At 6:05, where you're illustrating the 3 nautical mile exclusion zone but using an animation that appears to be several hundred miles across as if the Americans were trying to claim a quarter of the Indian Ocean. These can be put down to limited time and resources but, at 7:16, you showed stock footage of a violent protest with burning trucks and helmeted protesters throwing rocks and debris. As you didn't mention a protest of any kind in the text, let a alone a violent one of this scale, using this footage creates a provocative image. Remember, credibility is everything in legitimate documentary work. You don't have to be utterly unbiased and can certainly advocate to address social injustices but you have to do it with the facts and not propaganda.

[@DuragAllDay]

@EK89 k

[@DuragAllDay]

Point number one is wholly irrelevant.

[@hrdknox55]

Silver John And why might you think that is? Any ideas or suggestions! Huh

[@zellimse]

ok boomer

[@amiablekangaroo9934]

Yeah. I'm Chagossian and I agree. But the facts still stand. It's proven fact that we were illegally deported, our houses were illegally destroyed and our pets were illegally gassed.

[@Jameski07]

been there, done that. interesting island with some of the most beautiful sunsets and sunrises ever.

[@jasonramos5634]

Did a year there in the late 90's. Good fishing, great sunsets and beaches.

[@ma_junia]

8:20 The U.S./UK: “The United Nations? The _United Nations_ ? I *AM* THE UNITED NATIONS”

[@pedrofrancochau2643]

Title should be, "Getting screwed by Imperial powers with no vaseline"!

[@manganvbg90]

UN: america, please leave? US: Make me, biatch!

[@liuhc]

0:22 I don't think it is possible that there is a us military base in Hainan, mainland China.

[@liang2492]

you have a small brain, its offshore

[@liuhc]

@@liang2492 I am not sure which one is smaller, your brain or your eyes. Its clearly right on Hainan Island.

[@kukuri007]

He means Hainan is an island.

[@liuhc]

@@kukuri007 Nevertheless, Hainan is still a part of mainland China, even though it is also an island.

[@kukuri007]

I know it belongs to mainland China. I thought you didn’t understand what he meant. All’s good.

[@scottdavidson526]

I was there in the late '80's as a serviceman in the U.S. Navy. It was known then as the Footprint of Freedom.

[@Martell364]

Leave it to Americans to think their country is the only one in the world where there's freedom...

[@remembertotakeshowerspleas355]

@@Martell364 When did anyone say that?

[@yapyapthedestroyer8379]

@@Martell364 we dont need licences for memes so...

[@Epic_Egg]

Lmao that thumbnail with Lockheed Martin aircrafts and British Indian Ocean Territory is truly one of the Daniel give me coffee moments of all time 🇮🇴🛩

[@epicosmonia_cool]

I love when Epic Egg said "It's Daniel give me coffeein' time!" and decided to Daniel give me coffeed' all over the place! 🥶🔥⚡

[@Epic_Egg]

@@epicosmonia_cooltruly one of the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II British Indian Ocean Territory moments of all time

[@erickbush1167]

If the Chagosan were transported there by the French then they're not indigenous. They may claim it as home but that is not the same as indigenous. Use words correctly.

[@raptorfromthe6ix833]

@Dominic Taijah by your logic alaska should also return to canada

[@maakinsaeed8675]

@@raptorfromthe6ix833 fun fact Alaska was sold to America from the Russian's

[@godonlylovesme1638]

@@msmit3669 Either the Mauritanian History is a lie or the channel didn't do their research because the Chagausian was living in Mauritius when they were evicted from Diego Garcia. The Chagausian even went to Britain to fight their case and they were granted British Citizenship.(not sure if all of them got British Citizenship)

[@sendyramen]

His words are correct by Wikipedia definition - "Indigenous peoples, also known in some regions as First peoples, First Nations,..."

[@sendyramen]

@@msmit3669 chagos is part of the biot/uk. But it has claims from mauritius. Basically before mauritius independence, chagos was part of mauritius territories which explains what he learn at school. In 1965, before giving mauritius independence, uk split chagos and annexed it to biot which under UN resolution is illegal.

[@stuartsprigg8914]

Its a very important military base which has kept peace and stability in the Indian ocean for decades. Not controversial at all! Thank you US Navy from Western Australia.

[@KaLuno21]

Worked with a Mauritian chef who worked on the island as a civilian contractor. He told me about it and was surprised they showed it in one of the Transformer movies considering its history

[@TheDrexxus]

Just like the rest of history... Spain: Whoo! Found something-- France: Nope, tis mine. Spain: Awww :( Britain: Pardon me, coming through, excuse me. Just going to colonize this island. France and Spain: :(

[@alansolocinski5172]

Love it!!

[@tennisgleem]

slaughter and slavery.......again

[@shanebowen3335]

@@tennisgleem ...

[@solfennell8981]

@@tennisgleem yep, just like everyone else

[@pranayamdev411]

If I am right it was Portugal who discovered those islands before france

[@ganjafi59]

How can you be classified as a indigenous people of you've only lived on the island since 1793?

[@liamtahaney713]

Great video and channel. I find the use of stock images distracting though. It's sometimes hard to tell if a place is the place you're talking about or just a stock video. Thank you for the video

[@bclee__]

Thank you for bringing this up!

[@hala4725]

Yeah sure would be cool to get 10mins 28 sec of stock images of an american base

[@gavrilgabriel1526]

MH370 is there !!

[@dzpwnfkaa]

same

[@magmum1992]

Something missing there, u forgot to mention how Mauritius is fighting hard to get the island rather the return of the Chagossians to the island.

[@munchermuncher7663]

African is siding with Mauritius

[@G1ennbeckismyher0]

@@munchermuncher7663 the entire continent huh?

[@Nixontheman]

Brought there as slaves/labor, they were governed by the nation who controlled the islands. The islands have changed hands and people who lived there were subject to whatever government was in charge. The British govern these islands and can do as they please, the inhabitants are not indigenous, they have no claim to these islands, never did, never will. That may not seems fair, but sometimes, that is how the wave breaks.

[@nottoday3817]

Soo, if Soviets or Chinese do that, it's human rights violations. If the US or UK or (in this case) both do that it's 'how the wave breaks?

[@thelegendarypandicorn1777]

@@nottoday3817 It's a human rights violation when the land was occupied by natives before the intervention of great powers. This is the same logic that gives the UK the right to the Falklands, but not the right to India.

[@andro7862]

​@@thelegendarypandicorn1777 The Falklands can leave the UK, they chose not to. The Chagossians have been forcefully expelled from their homes without a say.

[@dougthethug2405]

I was stationed there for a year in 1974. I worked at the islands power plant and lived in a plywood hutch on the beach as there were no real buildings. We caught and cooked coconut crabs. The Sea Bees would come and build buildings like a barracks, chow hall, etc. There were only a few of us on the island and 12 crazy Brits. A year was a long time to spend on isolated duty.

[@danieljones317]

Sounds like a perfect place for an INFJ type person.

[@skyhawk_4526]

That's interesting to me. I spent about 5 months there in 2002. We were under strict orders not to mess with the coconut crabs (or "the Queen's crabs" as we called them). There was something like a $500 fine and an Article 15 if you got caught with one. The main base area ("downtown") was pretty developed when I was there, but I gotta admit, I had seen everything on the island after a couple weeks and, despite the beautiful scenery and water, it got boring pretty quickly. I still view it as one of my favorite deployments though.

[@ems7623]

@@skyhawk_4526 and you guys still don't tell us what else goes on there? Come on. Please?!. Lol Actually I can see the known uses of the island being enough for the US to defend it fiercely. It's really a shame that they built this all on a human rights abuse. That's really bad PR, reminding people of what happened to the natives of Bikini Atoll. It better be worth it. If it turns out, twenty years from now, that it wasn't worth it when the public gets more information, I'm going to be super-pissed.

[@Jigalipuff]

Hey Doug

[@chrisdains8499]

Spent two tours of 9 months each there in the late '70's .. "The Rock". Beautiful place right near the equator - awesome weather all the time ... like nowhere else in the world

[@TomDeann1995]

Me 2,seabees

[@fjb4932]

CBMU-302 Diego Det '78 CAN DO

[@petemccormick1450]

Wow I didn’t see any of that, just P3 Orion’s there, beautiful water great fishing and coconut crabs 🦀 everywhere.

[@MS-jv4fn]

It's so weird that I've been looking at this atoll today on google maps (because of playing EU4). And now there is a video about it.

[@fjb4932]

Maarten Scholten No. They are NOT ! Tracking you ...

[@bungwohlio]

You think the russians would have asked the UN before conquering islands?

[@DrRich-mw4hu]

Been there, landed, survived a hurricane, passed out on a beach (lagoon side, surf side is deadly 💀 ) Learned Budweiser really doesn’t have an expiration date😁👍

[@alansolocinski5172]

because... formaldehyde. Gave me a headache every time I drank it. That's why we drank Tusker from Kenya. No extra preservatives!

[@goob_1191]

Notice how all the countries that get help from the base and are close to it voted to keep it

[@esra_erimez]

Can you do a video about how controversial the UN has become and how it has been overrun by small despotic governments?

[@petert1692]

Why, the US would be upset. They’ve installed most of those despotic govts, including the British.

[@conors4430]

Esra Erimez if anything the UN has been over run by the victors of World War II who veto any real change. 190 nations could agree on something and any of the five founding members can just say nope. And usually with some digging you’ll find those despotic governments have some kind of mutual interest with one of the five founders

[@andro7862]

Ah yes, the small "despotic" government of democratic Mauritius that has never invaded a single nation in history.

[@okman9684]

So if I will get drafted this is the place I will call home

[@boatymcboatface45yearsago59]

No

[@lavapop1900]

your new home would most likely be Norfolk, VA lolol

[@dean1039]

No, if you get drafted that will mean a major catastrophic war has broken out. Meaning chances are what you will call home, will be a 6ft hole in the ground... If you're lucky.

[@f.wallace8969]

Nah, theyll probably send you too Northern Alaska. Theres a little guard shack up there that needs to be manned.

[@ketchfishshow3001]

I wouldn't worry about getting drafted. There hasn't been an active draft since 1975 and it would pretty much take WWIII for them to start calling people up again.

[@Albe3331]

I was stationed on Diego Garcia in 72-73 while assigned to NMCB62.

[@caprice8910]

Pompeo said ' we lied, we cheated, we stole ' which is America's proud tradition.

[@ThomasStephenForster]

2:50 is actually the coast of California below Monterey.

[@waynesimpson4081]

As the harbor and bridge is Port of Los Angeles, and the Stealth bomber @ Edwards AFB.

[@etbuch4873]

Nah. Diego Garcia is right in the middle of the Indian Ocean. Go check with the Google Map. Then or simultaneously, go watch this video:　Stealing a Nation - How the UK/US Stole the Diego Garcia Island (a Documentary by John Pilger, an Australian journalist, 2004), kzbin.info/www/bejne/hpuxl4uBa7ajp7s

[@asdsdjfasdjxajiosdqw8791]

DEJA VU; I´ve just been in this place before.

[@ASADALI-wp3wv]

Higher on the beat And I know it's a place not to go

[@skeptikal_potato4348]

Calling you and the search is mystery Standing on my feet

[@mikegonzalez8398]

It's super beautiful and if I could go back I would. Besides the terrible heat and humidity, it's like a vacation world. I've spent 3 months on the island and I wish I had appreciated it more. 11/10 would recommend.

[@pimpslapahoe]

What time of year did you go bro?

[@mikegonzalez8398]

@@pimpslapahoe can’t remember but i’ve been there 3 times I think. We had a long repair period out there.

[@uss_04]

I always figured that Diego Garcia was our best chance of striking back against the Decepticons

[@levijom]

I know a guy who used to live there to monitor space debris. He said it was the most boring place and job he has ever had. Only payed $10/hr lol

[@checkitout554]

food ,housing , trans paid for but just a little bit more than $10

[@alvinfrazier4152]

LIsten up yeah, there’s nothing to do there except fish.

[@KittyBoom360]

For such a strong click bait title, you make a very weak case.

[@hala4725]

The whole story is quite dark tho am from mauritius and since i was a kid i heard those stories about how the people were moved and its fucked up but no one has proof

[@amiablekangaroo9934]

@@hala4725 Its known fact that the people were deported. It's been admitted and with proof. And it's also known fact that everybody's houses were destroyed and all the pets were gassed with proof to back it. Research Bruce Greatbatch, I forgot his first name.

[@PlumbNutz]

I spent three months in Diego Garcia in 1983. Our u.s. Navy ship was anchored in the lagoon. We served as a repair ship. We could take a small Liberty boat ashore but there really wasn't much to do besides drink. There were a few Filipino civilians working on the island but there was not one single woman on the entire Island. A few times I walked around the island in an afternoon. The water inside the Lagoon is rather murky and stirred up. It's very windy there, a small sailboat would have been fun inside the Lagoon. Everyone was glad to leave.

[@chardtomp]

I spent a few days there when I was in the navy back in 1987. Interesting place.

[@chardtomp]

@Growler Thunder I didn't see any.

[@SnoopyDoofie]

Uses random pictures and stock videos from people and places around the world that have nothing to do with the island. Lame.

[@Quixotepr]

To all those who served in the military and say that the island is beautiful and a paradise, dont you think that the original owners whom were expelled by force have the right to enjoy their island again?

[@Omer1996E.C]

Exactly. How sad

[@dorijane008]

Yes thank you for seeing how my people feel 😔

[@SaltyWildhair]

They made at least two visits (several weeks long) there when I was stationed there from 12-14. All on the UK's dime, they lived in US lodging and ate at our galley. The main reason they want access is their loved ones are buried there in one of three graveyards. Yes, there is a 4th one, but that 4th one is for K9's who have passed away while on duty there. DG isnt really that big of a secret, and by reading all the comments here from past deployments, things most certainly were different from then to when I was there. I was there to witness the Bombers from Whitehall make a deployment to the island, which created at least two emergency landings of a Japanese plane and one Russian MIG. No issues. My time there was pretty awesome considering I came there right off a deployment to Afghanistan. Even if I had to pay 175 per month for one stop above dial up internet.

[@Paradoxed25]

Original owners? The tiny island was uninhabited until settlers made coconut plantations and brought slaves with them. You can argue that those removed should have been treated better, but its laughable to say their descendants should regain the island. The only way modern human habitation there is possible is with constant external support. There is no infrastructure or economy existing outside of military operations. Take that away, and its not a paradise, its a deserted island that would struggle to even support under 100 people to live there at poverty conditions at best.

[@SaltyWildhair]

@@Paradoxed25 There are more than just one island in the Chagos Island chain, and nearly all of them were populated with people who were enslaved once the British laid claim to them. There are still wooden huts built on the island that are currently unpopulated. They were moved to Reunion and Mauritius and have taken the UK govt to international court where they lost their case several times. It was the last case where they were able to win rights to visit.

[@WilliamHedy]

I was in NMCB40. I did a full detachment to DG in 1979. And 6 months later I went back with my battalion. Two 9 month back to back deployments there. One of the most beautiful places I ever seen. Lived in old Vietnam type plywood huts which was great since it was so hot there. I’m sure it’s all motel style barracks now. Also back then it was only guys. If there was a women in your battalion she was sent on a det somewhere. It’s to bad such a great little place had to be turned into what it is. But it’s a very important base.

[@stevenmetter8835]

It’s where they flew MH 317 with 250 corpses that where gassed, then tempted piloted to Diego Garcia,

[@Vkpz]

But why that plane specifically?

[@beverlyann111]

@@Vkpz There were 30 scientist on board,

[@elena79rus]

MH370 Yeah, we all want to know what was so important on that plane and what they did to it after it landed there.

[@elena79rus]

@@beverlyann111 What happened to those scientists?

[@rasrenai]

The Diego Garcia people want to return to their homeland, and this territory belongs to Mauritius island. During abolition of colony, same like Rodrigues island, Diego Garcia should have been returned to Mauritius.

[@oceanhome2023]

The importance of this island to keeping the sea lanes open and commerce to the world outweighs by far any native rights of return. They should be nicely compensated and just get on with their lives ! End of story !

[@bendover1525]

That's where the passenger plane that went missing a few years ago ended up.

[@franklombardisr7774]

I heard that flight 370 was guided there by remote control and the ones from england made 6 trillion on the deal

[@elena79rus]

@@franklombardisr7774 What deal? Why did they need to hijack the plane, and what did they do to it afterwards, and to the passengers?

[@DanB3286]

Did you here that the Malaysian flight 370 was linked here.fact 1: one of the pilot had a flight simulator with the run way here on his computer..fact 2: one of the passenger was a IBM hire up and he sent a message of a black and photo and it was pinged to the island

[@jamesburleson1916]

So in the 1970s, around a thousand people, who had been essentially indentured workers, and were required to work for a living by the local government or be deported, were removed from the island, in some admittedly nasty ways, although they weren't injured or killed. Since then, the US and other nations have been conducting air and naval operations from the island, greatly reducing problems like the Somali pirates and interests from the USSR and more recently China. Now, fifty years later, the people who were removed, presumably as children or young adults, are trying to return, and have made enough noise to be heard by the do-gooders circling the UN. These maybe 300-400 people are claiming that their previous lives as indentured workers on a failing coconut plantation is more important than the stability of shipping routes in the Indian Ocean, a region that already sees more than $6 billion in piracy yearly, and would only get worse without a stable US Navy presence. What the fuck is the UN smoking?

[@eurovision50]

But why on Earth couldn't they have stayed? The US base doesn't take up the whole island. By that logic, you could argue that the Japanese should be evicted from the island of Okinawa!

[@jamesburleson1916]

@@eurovision50 From what I read on wikipedia, the US wanted an unoccupied island to build a communications station, and the recently nationalized coconut plantation was operating at a loss, so the UK government chose to move everyone off Diego Garcia, since it is the biggest of the islands there. The US's reasons for wanting an unoccupied island were that they didn't want to have to deal with disputes with any locals. The island had already played host to a British seaplane base and refueling station during World War Two, and it had a harbor and an airfield. As far as shipping people off the island, all the inhabitants worked for the plantation, and before the deal with the US came up, would have been shipped off the island if they weren't working on the plantation, or doing other essential work like child care. These people were all descended from slaves brought to the island in the 18th and 19th centuries. Many of them have received some compensation from the UK for being displaced, as well as the UK paying a large sum of money to the Mauritian government to accept them.

[@andro7862]

What gives the US and the UK the right? By your own logic Russia should deport all Ukrainians and Tatars from Crimea! Plus Mauritius and the Chagossians are not opposed to US naval presence. They are opposed to the blatant theft of their homes and their forced deportation by the UK.

[@christopheremerick]

I’ve been to this island a few times. It is absolutely beautiful. Wish they’d open it up for Space A. I’d totally go!

[@phila3884]

I spent 2 weeks there about 12 years ago. You are always aware of how remote you are. Some parts of the island are really idyllic, like those "Beaches of the World" wall calendars.

[@jonross8925]

I was in the US Navy and station there around 2001-2003. love it there, especially the coconut crabs :)

[@angelortega]

Fact Check: More than half of those bases aren't active anymore.

[@dougmc666]

Normally the island is home to about 1,700 military personnel and 1,500 civilian contractors

[@irshanjoolfoo4908]

IMPORTANT INFO : The British stole this island from my country which is Mauritius situated near Diego Garcia in the indian ocean. Mauritius was ruled by the British, they forced and blackmailed Mauritius in 1968 saying we will give you independence only if we keep the chagos archipelago,i.e Diego Garcia, they forced our local ppl out from there own island like animals, since then we are still fighting to get our land back from the UK/US tandem, the United nations have already condemned them, but its David against Goliath. Our fight continues to get our land back...There response is that when we will need it no more then we may give it back, to be noted they threatened my country numerous times with sanctions but we stood firm and and still went to the UN council which rulef in the favour of the Mauritian gvt...but who can make them do right to our people....someday they will pay, karma is a bitch. i love my country and they stole part of it. Just imagine how it feels, its a beautiful place, In creole we say "RANN NOU NOU DIEGO".

[@andrewwilliams3137]

The islands were uninhabited before the French claimed them. There was no native population, workers were brought in when the French set up coconut plantations. They lived in accommodation provided by the company and owned no land or property. "By 1964, 80% of the population were Seychellois under 18-month or 2-year contracts". The British Government paid £650,000 for compensation to the 426 Ilois families [those of third generation descendants] displaced to Mauritius. The British Government gave a further £4 million to the surviving Chagossians on the express condition that all Chagossians sign a "full and final" document renouncing any right of return to the island".

[@williamjamesrapp7356]

I served 1 year there with the USMCSFC, I was on the base recreation council committee and the Ships Store committee

[@TheEarthHistorysConfusing]

0:21 you forgot poor old Australia!. There's several huge United States bases here in Australia on Western coast as well as central Australia in Alice Springs (pine gap.) is joint USA /Australia .

[@ralphm.chavez5016]

Naval Communication Station Exmouth, Western Australia (North West Cape)

[@daddyshrek7376]

“You know it’s Slaughter Gang, when the smoke is Immortal”

[@raphaeldean5801]

*Bikini Atoll had left the chat* *Johnson Atoll had left the chat*

[@JamsMinecraft]

Spongebob has joined the chat

[@ginacantabene8629]

Great scuba diving off Diego Garcia. Worked there briefly as a civilian contractor.

[@bobsnyder3309]

The worst part about being at DG is the beer tastes like crap, probably from being in the hold of a ship for months. The good part is we got Wild Turkey for $3.25 a bottle

[@michaelhunsinger8351]

Haha yeah the cheap alcohol there is insane.

[@topherh8928]

I was stationed on Diego Garcia in ‘04. It was one hell of a year! 👍

[@jeffgannon1]

I spent 6 weeks there in the 80’s “guarding” the base. Big sharks and a lot of coconut crabs.

[@brendanlaven1697]

“Big sharks” you mean like Hector the hammerhead?

[@amitexo]

You utterly dismissed and ignored the fact that Mauritius has legit claims on the islands and that the International court of justice has ruled that the UK should decolonize the territory and hand it back to Mauritius. Also it is the country that proposed the UN vote. A good presentation but without the actual stakeholder.

[@georgesamuelson4003]

5:33 that's Prague airport!!!! I've been there

[@robear152565]

My wife and mother-in-law were both stationed there in the 70's and 90's.

[@scottblevins4925]

I was in and out of there, many times in the 1979-81 era, there eere no woman stationed there at that time

[@bradbeam7254]

Spent a little time there and loved it.

[@conclusively1]

Give this Island back to the people. What was done to these innocent people was Evil. Absolutely disgusting.

[@vp5]

Remember that airplane that went completely missing and was never seen again the flight MH370... This island Diego Garcia is where it was taken and landed and the 20 patent holders from freescale semiconductor on-board off loaded and imprisoned or worse

[@russelldevaney7001]

You are effing insane. The lagoon is filled with civilian sailors on the pre-po ships, I spent several years there. You can easily see the entire runway. The island is also filled with several thousand Filipinos who do all of the maintenance work. Your image of this "secret" base is pretty warped, dude.

[@kingzyno.7223]

@@russelldevaney7001 Thats what goverments wanted you to see.

[@russelldevaney7001]

@@kingzyno.7223 No, that's what I saw. Nobody told me what to look at. I suppose they just executed all the other people on the plane too?

[@kukuri007]

Is this guy including embassies and places we may have something to track/communicate with astronauts as well as weather stations?

[@Argentvs]

Think so, Puerto Madryn is a dock for cargo and tourist cruisers in Argentina and is listed there as a US military base. There is no US military base here. At most you have the embassy security, DEA coordination office and Argentine Space Agency lending antennas to NASA.

[@preacherman85379]

I was there in 1990, cool place

[@wes326]

Been there four times. Good ocean fishing and good sailing inside the lagoon.

[@XxiOSgamerxX]

Had an Uber driver who was deployed here, honestly a dope dude

[@AppleUK2000]

I don't think the British government should give up Diego Garcia! 🇬🇧

[@robert2935]

Agreed 🇺🇸🇬🇧👍

[@kofirey6752]

According to one 1859 account, the native Indian proverb White Man Speak With A Fork Tongue: To speak with a forked tongue means to tell lies, to not be truthful, to be deceptive. To speak with a forked tongue may be interpreted as saying one thing but meaning another.

[@mikeshrader1965]

I spent a month there during the gulf war it was absolutely awesome..The Navy leases this place ..

[@warren5037]

Does the Navy or some higher ups not have any shame? Not even a little considering the history of this place?

[@gilbertmcglurk2591]

This sounds like a father-and-son weekend project that went too far

[@etbuch4873]

It is a lot more than that. Go watch this video:　Stealing a Nation - How the UK/US Stole the Diego Garcia Island (a Documentary by John Pilger, an Australian journalist, 2004), kzbin.info/www/bejne/hpuxl4uBa7ajp7s

[@larrydakin6425]

I flew in and out of Diego Garcia during the 1980s alot of relief flights to east Africa nobody says anything about that or the shipping supply of emergency supplies for se Asia after tsunami disaster

[@brazeiar9672]

People rarely mention any of the helpful and productive work the military do. The UK forces created 10,000 hospital beds for covid in the UK.