Notes from the Falklands - The Falklands Islands 25th Anniversary

Was it just coincidence or were PMA just being their super efficient selves in sending me back into the South Atlantic arena, 25 years to the week from my first detachment. It was in May of 1982, as a newly trained Crew Chief that I first flew in a Victor K2 of 55 Squadron to Ascension Island as a part of Operation Corporate, (for those who may not recognise the name of the aircraft it is the large hemp/mouldy one parked outside of Station Headquarters).

Nevertheless, here I am in the Falklands and I have to say that I have been extremely fortunate to experience and partake in the 25th Anniversary celebrations. There have been several memorial services held across the Islands, Goose Green, Fitzroy, Longdon, Harriet, Two Sisters and Tumbledown. These locations were significant to the tragic loss of lives and the battles that took place in securing the Falkland Islands as British territory.

The occasions of particular note for me were the Liberation Day Parade and the Gala Dinner held in Stanley Town Hall. I had been invited to travel to Stanley in the company of the Navel Engineers who are also based at Mount Pleasant. After the 1 hour drive we took light refreshment in a local hostelry before the parade and the wreath laying ceremony took place. The event was very well supported by locals and military personnel alike and the parade itself passed without a glitch. This was of great relief to the CWO who had orchestrated the parade and managed to get all three Services to march in time. The rest of the day was spent taking on board more refreshments and enjoying the party atmosphere that was subsequently developed.

The evening of the Gala Dinner I was accompanied by a Petty Officer who had also been a recipient of the South Atlantic Medal. Once again it meant taking the long drive back to Stanley. On this occasion the venue was in the Town Hall and had been laid out befitting any top banqueting suite. Before sitting at our tables we had the pleasure of speaking with HRH Prince Edward and Sir Rex Hunt and his wife. My lasting memories of the evening will be the humbling reports of the events that had taken place back then, and of the situations and conditions in which the civilian and veterans alike found themselves in. The Islanders are some of the most patriotic people I have met in a long time and are overwhelmingly grateful to the Services for what they achieved in 1982. As the evening came to a close and people were going their separate ways we felt a sense of pride to have being a part of such an occasion.

Although none of us we do not enjoy being sent away from family and friends for four months, I have been privileged to be here over the anniversary period (Now can I come home!) and have seen first hand that the British Forces did and still do have a great influence here in the Falkland Islands.

Of course there are fundamental differences between the three services, but in general this particular OOA is a great opportunity for personnel to integrate in a Tri Service environment. For those who find they are having difficulty in completing their Force Development programme, just visit the Falklands! You could achieve every tick in the box and more during a tour here.

For everyone who is or has been deployed around the world, I am sure you would all agree that communication with home is paramount. So I would just like to take this opportunity of thanking my friends at Marham for dropping me the occasional e-mail, it does make a difference so please keep them coming.

Yours from the land of Penguins.

Dick Lyons
WO IX (B) Squadron
RAF Marham

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