Go Get'em if you can

Now there is that. I spent most of my time going on the british naval ships when they'd come to port while I was out there.

**** all the mine fields are still there, they just have to remove the fencing, all the locals know where they are, let the argentinians blow themselves up..

Wing Nut

Originally Posted by ironhorseredleg

I would be willing to bet that there's been at least 1 major US/British naval vessel within 1 day's journey of the Falkland Islands since the war. I would not want to send my "2nd generation without combat" troops against the battle hardened, experienced British troops that would be on the islands within hours of a new conflict. Even the most agressive hardliner has to realize that.

I personally do not think Britian would need that much help from the US if it leads into a conflict. The islands are small, (about the same size as wales) and the topiography would probably be best suited for strateagically placed units of men. (preferably people who don't mind freezing their butts off in blizzards and rain that comes at a 90 deg angle... )

Originally Posted by Wing Nut

I personally do not think Britian would need that much help from the US if it leads into a conflict. The islands are small, (about the same size as wales) and the topiography would probably be best suited for strateagically placed units of men. (preferably people who don't mind freezing their butts off in blizzards and rain that comes at a 90 deg angle... )

Royal AF has a strong unit of Bombers and Tornados there to defend the islands!

Wingnut, you lived there, how strong is this deterrent force on the islands?

As I recall it was the British under-estimation of Argentinian ari power and their Exocet missles which bit them in the arse last go round was it not? I doubt they would make the same mistake twice but in the larger scheme of things in the world today how much of your limited resources would you commit to defence of a couple rocks damn near in the Antarctic? (Rhetorical question that. )

All in all I think there are/were 1700 soldiers stationed out there in MPA, and the Capital Port stanley has the FIDF (falkland Island Defence Force) which is made up of residents and Children. (I myself partook in the enjoyment of playing with mines, and shooting things, while crawling about in the peat as a young lad. Hell I like most kids out there had a huge collection of munitions (not live any more.. thanks to the MoD,) which we used to play about with in our spare time. (as well as who can throw the stone over the mine field so all in all I wouldn't put the total number of military able people out there over 2000. Back when I returned to the Uk they cut the number of troupes they had (in teh Uk ) considerably, I would imagine that this included in the falklands.

I never heard that the Falklands have a huge air force. When I was there, They originally had outdated phantom jets, which the traded in for Tornadoes in 92. I still have contact with people on the island so I'll drop them an email and find out the state of the military forces out there.

Wing Nut

Originally Posted by bulldogg

Wingnut, you lived there, how strong is this deterrent force on the islands?

As I recall it was the British under-estimation of Argentinian ari power and their Exocet missles which bit them in the arse last go round was it not? I doubt they would make the same mistake twice but in the larger scheme of things in the world today how much of your limited resources would you commit to defence of a couple rocks damn near in the Antarctic? (Rhetorical question that. )

Tony Blair selling northern ireland out to the ira so whats to say he wouldn't sell the falklands out to the argintines