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Operation Black Buck is also probably an example of this - Vulcan bombers flying a sixth of the way around the Earth, using a pyramid of tankers for refuelling,

by twic 5y ago

Operation Black Buck is also probably an example of this - Vulcan bombers flying a sixth of the way around the Earth, using a pyramid of tankers for refuelling, dropping some bombs ineffectively on an Argentinian-held airport, then flying back: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Black_Buck https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Black_Buck

sofixa 5y ago
The UK were so lucky with the Falklands war.. had the Argentines waited a year 3/4 of the UK military hardware used to retake the islands ( aircraft carriers, bombers, etc.) would have been decommissioned due cost cutting measures.
- the_af 5y ago
  Realistically, it was impossible for us (Argentines) to hold by military force to the islands. I'm sure all sort of things could have gone worse for the UK, but we were a military insignificant[0] country (ruled by an incompetent dictatorship) against a military power allied to the US. [0] no disrespect meant to our soldiers, who did what they could in a senseless war.
  - dddddaviddddd 5y ago
    And the US was willing to get quite involved if necessary, e.g. to 'lend' a helicopter carrier to the UK, https://news.usni.org/2012/06/27/reagan-readied-us-warship-82-falklands-war-0 https://news.usni.org/2012/06/27/reagan-readied-us-warship-8...
    - anikan_vader 5y ago
      Not sure why this comment is being downvoted, given that its claims are well-documented. The UN Security Council had already demanded the immediate withdrawal of Argentine forces from the Falklands, essentially green-lighting the UK to respond to the invasion with military force. Argentina refused US peace overtures, and the US subsequently announced its support for the UK. Here is the relevant text from Wikipedia regarding American carriers (which were capable of operating Sea Harriers) [1]: >> President Ronald Reagan approved the Royal Navy's request to borrow a Sea Harrier-capable Iwo Jima-class amphibious assault ship (the US Navy had earmarked USS Guam (LPH-9) for this[184]) if the British lost an aircraft carrier. The United States Navy developed a plan to help the British man the ship with American military contractors, likely retired sailors with knowledge of the ship's systems. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falklands_War#United_States https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falklands_War#United_States
- 1123581321 5y ago
  We can’t know, but I suspect Galtieri (Argentine president, some responsibility for death squads) would have lost power had he waited. Malvinas were useful to him as a diversionary external crisis given all the problems at home and international pressure creating opportunity for his opposition or successor(s).
  - jacquesm 5y ago
    Sounds familiar.

by twic 5y ago

sofixa 5y ago

The UK were so lucky with the Falklands war.. had the Argentines waited a year 3/4 of the UK military hardware used to retake the islands ( aircraft carriers, bombers, etc.) would have been decommissioned due cost cutting measures.

the_af 5y ago
Realistically, it was impossible for us (Argentines) to hold by military force to the islands. I'm sure all sort of things could have gone worse for the UK, but we were a military insignificant[0] country (ruled by an incompetent dictatorship) against a military power allied to the US. [0] no disrespect meant to our soldiers, who did what they could in a senseless war.
- dddddaviddddd 5y ago
  And the US was willing to get quite involved if necessary, e.g. to 'lend' a helicopter carrier to the UK, https://news.usni.org/2012/06/27/reagan-readied-us-warship-82-falklands-war-0 https://news.usni.org/2012/06/27/reagan-readied-us-warship-8...
  - anikan_vader 5y ago
    Not sure why this comment is being downvoted, given that its claims are well-documented. The UN Security Council had already demanded the immediate withdrawal of Argentine forces from the Falklands, essentially green-lighting the UK to respond to the invasion with military force. Argentina refused US peace overtures, and the US subsequently announced its support for the UK. Here is the relevant text from Wikipedia regarding American carriers (which were capable of operating Sea Harriers) [1]: >> President Ronald Reagan approved the Royal Navy's request to borrow a Sea Harrier-capable Iwo Jima-class amphibious assault ship (the US Navy had earmarked USS Guam (LPH-9) for this[184]) if the British lost an aircraft carrier. The United States Navy developed a plan to help the British man the ship with American military contractors, likely retired sailors with knowledge of the ship's systems. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falklands_War#United_States https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falklands_War#United_States
1123581321 5y ago
We can’t know, but I suspect Galtieri (Argentine president, some responsibility for death squads) would have lost power had he waited. Malvinas were useful to him as a diversionary external crisis given all the problems at home and international pressure creating opportunity for his opposition or successor(s).
- jacquesm 5y ago
  Sounds familiar.