Defence
the Service Community
A brief introduction to the Falkland Islands
Shipwreck located just outside of Port Stanley
(c) Mr. J Biggs
History
Until 2 April 1982, few people in the UK knew where the Falkland Islands were to be found. This all changes dramatically when Argentina, claiming sovereignty, invaded the islands. At the time there were fewer than 80 Royal Marines based here and they were rapidly overwhelmed, as were the local Defence Force.
A Task Force set sail from Britain, immediately while the United Nations tried to find a diplomatic solution to the problem. On 25 April South Georgia was taken back, but the re-taking of the Falkland Islands was to take longer.
On 2 May 1982 the Argentine cruiser General Belgrano was sunk. Two days later HMS Sheffield was sunk followed by the loss of HMS Ardent, Antelope and Coventry as well as the container ship Atlantic Conveyor.
Later, that same month, on the 21 May, British forces came ashore at San Carlos, on East Falkland and joined in battle with the Argentine occupying force. In the Battle for Darwin and Goose Green, the Argentine force was defeated and the British commenced a 'yomp' across the island, now in a bitter winter, towards Stanley.
On 8 June there was one of the saddest days of the conflict when the Fleet Auxiliaries, RFA Sir Galahad and RFA Sir Tristram, were bombed at Fitzroy. One week later, on 14th June the Argentine force surrendered after bitter and protracted fighting on Mount Longdon, Wireless Ridge and Tumbledown, the mountains around Stanley. Three Falkland Island civilians, two hundred and fifty-four British service personnel and six hundred and fifty-five Argentine servicemen lost their lives during this period.
Soon after the Conflict in 1982, work was started on the building of Mount Pleasant Airfield (MPA), 35 miles from Stanley. Construction was a joint venture for the Laing-Mowlem ARC consortium and of an extraordinary nature, in that a road was built from Stanley to Mount Pleasant. An airfield capable of supporting fighters, helicopters and transport aircraft was constructed and also a complex capable of providing for all needs.
Since the construction of MPA, many service and civilian personnel have been detached to the Falkland Islands and the stories of island life that they have returned with are as varied as each individuals personal expectations and experiences. The weather plays a significant part in the factors affecting the quality of life here.
Climate
Much is said about the climate and weather in the FI and it is likely that you have heard many horror stories. They are probably all true because the main characteristic of the weather is that it can change very rapidly between being mild and pleasant, to being cold and severe.
It is said that all 4 seasons can be experienced in any one day of the year, which is true. Geographically, Stanley, the capital, lies on the same latitude south as Stamford in Lincolnshire does north, while its longitude is as far west as Goose Bay in Canada, which accounts for a 3-hour time lag in the Austral Summer and a 5-hour time lag in the Austral Winter. Generally winter begins in earnest in June and lasts until mid October. Snow and sub-zero temperatures are experienced to varying degrees but the most distinguishing climatic factor is the wind.
Temperature changes due to wind-chill can occur quickly and catch out those who are ill prepared or ill-equipped; a gloriously sunny day can rapidly become a sub zero blizzard. The Austral Summer, from October to April, brings temperatures akin to UK summers, although the prevailing westerlies bring conditions that residents of the Outer Islands are more used to. Overall, the wind tends to be noticeably less strong in the winter than in the summer.
Time and Getting Here
Flight time to the Falklands is approximately 18 hrs, with a short stopover at Ascension Island. All individuals and families regardless of whether you are military or civilian fly to the Falklands from RAF Brize Norton.
The time difference between UK and the Falkland Islands is minus five hours GMT in winter (Falklands) and minus three hours GMT in summer (Falklands). The UK is ahead of the Falkland Islands. There is also a local time change (late August to late October and late January to late March) and the time difference during these periods is 4 hours.
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