Originally Posted by
SLXOwft
Volans et videns
39 years on - lest we forget
c. 060357Z Jun 82 Gazelle AH1 XX377 was destroyed with the loss of all onboard by a Sea Dart which had been fired from HMS Cardiff under the assumption friendlies would be using IFF. ROE permitted engagement 'without the constraint of visual identification if this was precluded by cloud or light conditions'
Crew
Staff Sergeant Christopher Griffin
Lance Corporal Simon Cockton
Passengers
Major Michael Forge R Sigs (OC 205 Signal Squadron)
Staff Sergeant John Baker R Sigs
Causes - Poor Communication between Services
- IFF turned off because Rapier was not being able to cope with IFF emissions
- Assumption
I have no personal connection with the incident but have always thought Blue on Blue fatalities are the hardest for families to cope with.
BOI Report
Those tragedies have happened to both sides.
Argentine 35 mm Oerlikon GDF air defense shot down 2 Argentine Air Force aircraft.
The first one was on May 1st. A Mirage IIIEA was trying to land in Port Stanley/Puerto Argentino airport, but there was a red alert at that moment, and it was shot down. The pilot, Captain Gustavo Argentino Garcia Cuerva, couldn’t eject.
The second one was on May 12th, an MD A-4B flight was escaping after attacking British ships and overflew Goose Green/Pradera del Ganso, and First Lieutenant Fausto Gavazzi was taken by the air defenses, he couldnīt eject either.
He was shot down by an Argentine Army air defense, another 35 mm Oerlikon.