Ascension isn't nearby?
its only about half way there.

The islands are ours, and the inhabitants want to be. End of argument.

Mind you, if it wasn't for the First Sea Lord happening to be in Downing Street when it all kicked off we'd have given them up in '82.

"If we don't act, Prime Minister, we will be living in a country who's word counts for little in the world".
(localboy purveyor of pisspoor puns, Fri 15 Jun 2012, 10:36, 4 replies, latest was 13 years ago)

This is good knowledge sir

( sporters I’m sincerely gratitude to you, Fri 15 Jun 2012, 10:39, Reply)

Yeah, I'm pretty sure I read somewhere that Downing St
was willing to talk about it in '82, right up until Argentina decided force was the way to go.

The US, apparently, didn't think we were militarily capable of mounting a response.
( Kroney, Fri 15 Jun 2012, 10:39, Reply)

Vulcan 607 is a very good book if you like that kind of thing...
about how they used a 1950s plane on the longest bombing raid in history (at the time). Pretty amazing stuff.

Apparently cos we withdrew HMS Endurance Argentina thought we weren't serious about the Falklands any more, and the military government needed a success to divert attention from the shit going on in their own country.

Sound familiar?

Those who don't learn the lessons of history are doomed to repeat it, etc
(localboy purveyor of pisspoor puns, Fri 15 Jun 2012, 10:49, Reply)

It's all gone a bit "serious" this morning on here!

( sporters I’m sincerely gratitude to you, Fri 15 Jun 2012, 10:50, Reply)

Quick call someone a bender
You bender.
( tangledupinblue hairy badge with moving eyes, Fri 15 Jun 2012, 10:53, Reply)

Endurance was due to be scrapped
and we couldn't afford a replacement.
(Reverend Fister "a disciplined fuckwit", Fri 15 Jun 2012, 10:52, Reply)

Nobody could say the same thing now
1,700 man permanent garrison, an airfield with three fighters, three RN frigates/destroyers and a nuclear sub in the area. The Argentines, meanwhile, still have the same planes they had in '82.
( Kroney, Fri 15 Jun 2012, 10:59, Reply)

The problem now is that if Argentina were somehow to take them back
we would not be able to retake them as we have no sodding aircraft carriers left - or planes to put on them.

'Experts' reckon the only possible way for the Argies to take the islands would be through a special forces attack on RAF Mount Pleasant.
(Reverend Fister "a disciplined fuckwit", Fri 15 Jun 2012, 11:08, Reply)

Not quite true, HMS Illustrious is still commissioned.
Not that she carries a great deal of airpower now all the Harriers are gone.
( Kroney, Fri 15 Jun 2012, 11:14, Reply)

That makes it a helicopter carrier rather than an aircraft carrier, but I accept your point
but an invasion without air cover would be a disaster.
(Reverend Fister "a disciplined fuckwit", Fri 15 Jun 2012, 11:17, Reply)

I have no evidence for it
but I suspect the Harriers could be recommissioned if necessary. The point I was making is that we have a ship capable of operating as a strike carrier. But yeah, the lack of planes is something of a handicap.
( Kroney, Fri 15 Jun 2012, 11:26, Reply)

the harriers currently lying in bits and pieces being used for parts by the usaf
I like jigsaw puzzles
( Light In Chains maker of the ikea sofa, Fri 15 Jun 2012, 11:30, Reply)

Ah, in which case they probably couldn't be.

( Kroney, Fri 15 Jun 2012, 11:30, Reply)

I used to read 'Commando' like all the time
you're talking shit
( Light In Chains maker of the ikea sofa, Fri 15 Jun 2012, 11:16, Reply)

Yeah you're right.
Re the nearbyness. I was under the impression it was nearer.
(Bear Pookie The Frankly Challenged. Halloween is coming to town., Fri 15 Jun 2012, 10:41, Reply)

I think they used the long range bombers from there

( sporters I’m sincerely gratitude to you, Fri 15 Jun 2012, 10:42, Reply)

With half a dozen re-fueling actions on the way.
Our bombers only had the range to get to Moscow at the time. The Falklands are a fuck of a long way away.
( Bartleby A dead man on vacation, Fri 15 Jun 2012, 10:45, Reply)

Indeed

( sporters I’m sincerely gratitude to you, Fri 15 Jun 2012, 10:46, Reply)

"Because if we do not, or if we pussyfoot in our actions and do not achieve complete success, in another few months we shall be living in a different country whose word counts for little."

( Peej, Fri 15 Jun 2012, 10:48, Reply)