At a ceremony held at the Falkland Islands Defence Force Hall on Wednesday evening September 13 Major Daniel Biggs was sworn in by Her Excellency the Governor as the new Officer Commanding FIDF.
Speaking to Penguin News Major Biggs said it was “a privilege to take up the position of commanding officer of the Falkland Islands Defence Force.”
He said: “I’ve been a member of the Force for many years and fully believe in the wider reaching importance of this Force to the Falkland Islands community.”
Asked if he had any new developments in mind for the force he said his vision was to see the Force “develop and evolve, through testing our capabilities, empowering junior leadership, building wider local knowledge and experience, increasing community engagement and visibility and continuing to take the opportunities to train alongside BFSAI.”
Major Biggs’ swearing in follows a local recruitment campaign which attracted interest from a number of local applicants.
After many years of service with the FIDF, in June 2023 Major Justin McPhee retired as Officer Commanding, Falkland Islands Defence Force (FIDF), a role he has held since October 2018.
Her Excellency, the Governor Alison Blake said at the ceremony on Wednesday: “I would like to express our thanks to Captain Derek Clarke for his service as Acting Officer Commanding of the Falkland Islands Defence Force (FIDF) following Major Justin McPhee’s retirement in June and to welcome the appointment of Major Daniel Biggs as the next Officer Commanding FIDF.
I am delighted to congratulate Major Biggs on his commission and his appointment.
“He brings extensive experience of service in the FIDF and I look forward to working with him as he takes up his important new role.”