Why wasn't Nimrod based in Falklands?
 

Okay, very random question time here which came up over a discussion the other day. I understand the C130 down at MPA was (is?) used in an Maritime SAR / Patrol function and has been for some time.
As far as I can make out, the Nimrod was never permanently deployed into MPA for this, and I'm curious as to why this was the case. MPA has hosted a lot of isolated lodger airframes, so what was the reason for not sticking a Nimrod down there for the long range roles?

Not allowed to base one there permanently and the temporary detachments were subject to close scrutiny; these were frequently waived if it could been seen or viewed as an escalatory measure. Clearly there were plans if the level of tension demanded it.

Simple reason for not deploying one permanently in the Falklands, lack of 4 star hotel accommodation:).

Thanks - am genuinely curious about this as I would have thought it was a far better capability than the C130 in those roles, so I'm curious as to why it was seen as escalatory (unless people thought it was doing something that its near cousin from 51 was doing?)

I think you have answered your own question:

Having a platform that could challenge all the naval ports of Argentina means that politics (correctly, in this case) comes ahead of capability.

Why wasn't Nimrod based in Falklands?
 

How often was it deployed south apart from the Falklands war itself ? Does anyone know ?

While we're asking, does anyone know the patrol locations of Trident...:)

Agree as the line been defensive and offensive capability can be very thin.
Why escalate and give rise to misunderstanding and potential conflict when its not required.

and the firing positions / targets.

I have always been in favour of open Govt as its a check and balance against allowing bureaucrats and politicians assume too much power.

However there are times when secrecy is best option to avoid miscalculations which start a needless conflict.

Before I get the knock at the door from the guys in the unmarked Range Rover may I add that my post was in jest. But you knew that.

I take your point recedo, but the Nimrod's retired so not sure the comparison to Trident stands up.

Edited to acknowledge thing's comment, re his post being jest.

Maybe maybe not . If it was published that UK had sent Nimrods down 27 years out of 30 since war, then Agrentina may conclude that while talking peace UK was actually targeting all their naval bases all of the time.

Now starting negotiations on something different. It starts off on basis that Uk has been lying all the time previously, thereby any agreement made Argentina can break and not trust what UK is saying given past expereiences.

Argentina assume UK lying when its not and act accordingly, 2500 dead later, people realise it was actually a misunderstanding because everybody assummed the worst all the time.

Once mistrust escalates it is difficult to de escalate.

When it was planned to replace the Tornado with the Typhoon, a lot of diplomatic effort was made to explain this was a like for like exchange. This cunning ruse was exploded - inadvertently - at a Waddington when then AOC 1 Gp enthusiastically described the greatly enhanced capabilities of thje Typhoon to an open audience - which happened to include the ARG Naval Attache. A diplomat demarche ensued, which could have been avoided if a VSO had employed a degree of political discretion.

The guys in the

... are generally humourless b'stards. I'm told.

CG

was on said Nimrod as a photog for exercise FIREFOCUS, was ah great 3 weeks , good memories of AAR there and back. think I found all the bars in the Bronx toooo lol was 1987 me thinks

I thought that the Trident was no longer pre target ing

Thought it was to do with the inability of the UK to the Falklands supply chain to keep up with the supply of pies.

Have met the guys in the unmarked Range Rover once. They are humourless, but were quite reasonable on this occasion.

Clad,

On a personal note, I deployed there a couple of times, but that was under the SAR banner when the F3's were rotated out.

Whilst we did carry out mutual coop with our dark blue colleagues when we had to opportunity to do so, it didn't really amount to a great deal of traditional maritime work. I do seem to recall that we spent most of our time taking the permanent staff down there on trips around the islands, down to South Georgia and out to see the South Atlantic guard ship for a few photo opportunities.

That said, we did take the patrol of the EEZ from the Herc for a week on one occasion and finished in just over half a sortie what the Herc guys achieved in a week.

Most of the Kipper fleet who went down there would have jumped at the chance to fly from there, but as has already been mentioned it was a political hot potato! A shame really as it would have been a great det and we may have got our own dining table in the Mess!

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