Falklands Hero Group Captain Bob Iveson returned to RAF Wittering for a service marking the fortieth anniversary of the end of the conflict on Tuesday 14th June.
Image By: Christina Coates
Two Harrier jets from the Station’s Heritage Centre had been brought outside as a backdrop for the special service of commemoration and thanksgiving, which was attended by scores of military and civilian personnel. Harriers from No 1 Fighter Squadron, based at RAF Wittering, were instrumental in restoring freedom and peace to the British South Atlantic Islands.
Image By: Christina Coates
Organised by Reverend (Squadron Leader) Andrew Tucker, the service featured guest speakers from each of the Armed Forces. The first of the guest speakers was Group Captain (ret’d) Iveson, who was thirty-five years old at the time of the conflict and a flight commander on No 1 Fighter Squadron.
Image By: Christina Coates
Padre Tucker said: “This Station was intimately and decisively involved in the operation to liberate the Falkland Islands from Argentine occupation, and we are grateful to have Group Captain Iveson with us. It’s easy to see how his experiences of forty years ago have resonated with everyone here.”
Image By: Christina Coates
The Falklands Conflict was a ten-week undeclared war between Argentina and the United Kingdom in 1982, sparked when Argentine armed forces invaded the Falkland Islands on 2nd April that year. The conflict lasted 74 days and cost over 900 lives, ending in an Argentine surrender.
Emma Stacey works in the community team at RAF Wittering. She said: “My dad was in the RAF, working on the Vulcans at Waddington at the time of the Falklands Conflict and so today’s service was really poignant for me. These memories filter down through the years, so it was quite an emotional time for everyone.”
Lieutenant Commander (Lt Cdr) Jason Flintham spoke about the contributions made by the Royal Navy during the conflict, and read accounts from the brave crew of HMS Sheffield, which was sunk by an Exocet missile on 10th May 1982. Lt Colonel Chris Farrelly detailed many of the courageous actions taken by the British Army, and the how their bravery has created illustrious reputations that have lasted to this day.
Wing Commander Jez Case is the Station Commander at RAF Wittering. He said: “The challenge before us in 1982 was enormous and there was a huge combined effort from the Armed Forces, the Civil Service and Industry to make the operation to liberate the Falklands a success. But it did not come without cost, and it is only right that we remember the service and sacrifices of those who did not return.”
As the Last Post and Reveille played, a formation of four Grob Tutor aircraft from No 115 Squadron, led by Flight Lieutenant Andy Tagg, overflew the service.
Image By: Christina Coates
Wing Commander Case concluded: “Today’s service has been a fitting commemoration to those who served and gave their lives in the Falkland’s Conflict, and it has been enhanced by the contributions of Gp Capt Iveson, Lt Cdr Flintham and Lt Col Farrelly, to whom we are all grateful.”
