Falklands Aftermath
 

Once the Falklands War had been won on the ground, Harrier CAP was maintained by Hermes before passing on to Lusty, before finally handing over to F4s once Stanley airfield had been made good. My question is, did air hostilities end at the surrender, or did engagements continue? Were the CAPs utilised, with the danger that the air war would continue on a slow burn? Or did the Argies effectively throw in the towel across all 3 vectors? I guess the F4 changed everything because capabilities it brought - but prior to that?

Harrier GR3 also did AD duties from Stanley Airport as well before the Phantoms got there. Argies totally threw in the towel on 14th June 82.

not quite true - Argies were 'unhelpful' following the end of the war regarding POW and cas reptriation, they quibbled for some time about the scope of the surrender and cessation of hostilities and whether it applied to forces only under Menedez's command in the FI, and there was considerable evidence that they were looking at the possibility of having another go for some months afterwards.

the fisticuffs mights have ended on 14th June, but the aggro, threats, planning, rhetoric etc.. didn't end until the Junta lost power in December 82.

they may well have lacked the resources to have a go again, but that didn't stop them the first time.

Some might suggest it hasn't ended at all.

The "cold war", from both sides, lasted all the `80s.

If you'd like a "freakonomics" perspective, one could argue that the argies won...they just don't know they won, anymore than we know we lost.

After, all...we are the mugs flushing bundles of cash down the crapper looking after the worthless lumps of rock.

Oops, scuse me...forget about all the oil money we are going to get out of them one day.

yeah right.

PS

I was there...said at the time...go down kick the argies out (point of principle), give the Benny's a million quid to resettle (or stay there and take their chances) and then GTFO. Would have been a sh1tload cheaper

And the rest.

You're not wrong. In losing the war, they won the peace in their own country by ousting the murderous and tyrannical military junta and becoming the Western liberal democracy they are today.

HH,

If I may offer a couple of minor points:

Hermes and Invincible maintained the CAP until Hermes went home, and then Invincible took the CAP task on. (Invincible had been in charge of CAP duties since day one of the conflict anyway).

When Hermes went home the GR3s were ashore at Stanley. They assisted with CAP, but to the best of my knowledge usually paired with a SHAR. SHARs were sent ashore from invincible to perform Stanley based CAP, but also maintained the task from the ship. There were a number of CAP launches from Stanley, but (again to the best of my knowledge) no serious incursions by Argentine aircraft.

Lusty arrived later (mid Aug I think) allowing Invincible and her record-breaking air group to return home. Phantoms arrived later once Stanley had been suitably equipped, which took some time.

Oh, and OFO, we also made sure that hundreds of Falklanders (not 'Bennies', Falklanders) didn't get shipped over to the mainland and get 'disappeared' by a bunch of murdering vicious clowns. Call me naive, I'd chalk that up as a 'win'.

However, as ever, happy to respect any opinion.

Hope this helps

Engines

Yes, have to agree with that, as the flip-side to my comment:

OFO, your post is not worthy of you.

The GRs filled in, but could not fulfil the AD role fully (no offence intended), hence the runway extension and fighter deployment. There were occasional incursions, but only recce a/c and no apparent hostile intent. Also there was no reaction to our tasked "presence" runs. Not much to report.

indeed. :D :D :D.

well either deliberately or perhaps through a lack of comprehension you misread my post.

I did not suggest inaction (not that hard to read is it:ugh:)

I suggested securing the place and its inhabitants and then GTFO.

And if you did a little research (doubtful on here I know) you would discover that the incumbent Foreign Secretary in the 1970's is on record as saying that (and I quote as best I can)

"If Britain ever ends up having to defend the Falkland Islands militarily, it will be a national disaster"

I stand by my remarks. Standing up against military aggression...yep well done (I have the medal, with clasp...have you??)

Pissing money up the wall for Islands the other side of the globe...monumentally stupid

That is the follow on cost of having a big navy, conquering the world
and building an empire. Some of your children want to stay with you.

On a point of order:

Yep, we won, they lost - no further incursions, just threats. Was it worth it? YES! Impressed the guano out of the Russians and probably hastened the fall of a certain wall in Berlin. Also precipitated a change of government in Argentina. Best low-flying I've ever had (legally!).

Yes, I have the medal - and the rosette - etc.