British Forces in the Falkland Islands: Guarding the South Atlantic
The Falkland Islands are a remote group of islands 8,000 miles away in the South Atlantic. British Forces have been securing the region since 1833 and guaranteeing the Islanders safety
The Falkland Islands is home to rockhopper penguins and black-browed albatross, but at this remote location in the South Atlantic, British Forces are committed to maintaining the Islanders right to political independence.
As a British Overseas Territory, the 3,400 people who live on the Falklands have asked the UK to guarantee their security.
Why the Falkland Islands? 🇫🇰
On 2 April 1982, Argentinian forces invaded the British Overseas Territory of the Falkland Islands.
Despite the huge distance involved — 8,000 miles — the United Kingdom reacted by sending a Task Force to the South Atlantic and imposing a naval and air blockade on the large Argentinian military base that had occupied the Falklands.
The task force reached the Falklands in early May. On 2 May the Argentine cruiser General Belgrano (purchased from the United States after World War II) was sunk by a British submarine. After this incident, the Argentinian ships remained in port.
However, the Argentinian air force still posed a significant threat. The Royal Navy lost several warships to attacks from Argentinian aircraft. Its Fleet Auxiliary ships were attacked at Fitzroy and the supply ship Atlantic Conveyor was also sunk.
British forces landed on the islands on 21 May. There followed a series of hard-fought battles and long marches as the British pushed towards the capital Stanley (also known as Port Stanley). Then, in the second week of June, after an intense air and artillery barrage, the dominant mountain ridges around Stanley were captured and the Argentinian Commander on the Falkland Islands surrendered.
After the conflict🇬🇧🇫🇰
After the conflict, the UK established a new military base at Mount Pleasant, consisting of naval, land and air elements.
Britain has invested heavily in the islands’ defences, including a new harbour and purpose-built airfield RAF Mount Pleasant — 27 miles (43 km) west of the capital, Port Stanley. The airfield is just one part of the Mount Pleasant Complex, a tri-service base staffed by personnel from all three services and where the majority of Service families live — so it is a thriving military community in its own right.
Mount Pleasant is more than just an Airfield — Mare Harbour is the only deep water port in the Island allowing the materials to be brought in to build the airfield.
Due to the remoteness of the Falklands, living and working there is a challenge, with people, equipment and all deliveries having to be flown in or arrive by sea.
Getting to the Falklands isn't easy, there is a twice-weekly direct from RAF Brize Norton (which is operated by AirTanker) — this is known as ‘the airbridge’.
Navy, Army and Air Force in the Falklands
Stationed at Mount Pleasant Complex, personnel from all three Services have a key role to play in the security of Falkland Islands.
The RAF provides key elements that Headquarters British Forces South Atlantic Islands use to ensure the security of the Falklands. Not only through the airbridge link back to the United Kingdom, but also with Typhoon jets, transport aircraft and refuelling capability based on the Islands to provide deterrence and transport.
The Royal Navy has a standing commitment to the Falkland Islands, helping to maintain a sovereign presence around the disputed island chain.
The Navy’s patrol ship, HMS Forth, is currently deployed in the South Atlantic where she patrols the enormous stretch of ocean preventing crime and protecting British interests.
The Royal Navy also works closely with the RAF and Army units based in the Falklands, providing reassurance to locals, visiting inhabitants of the outlying islands, and supporting everything from ceremonial events through to assisting with emergencies.
The British Army’s main commitment is to the Roulemont Infantry Company (infantry).
There are also detachments from many other Army corps to support all aspects the army life.
Essentially the British Army provides a land capability in the Falklands from infantry to skilled trades such as engineers.
