Admiral Beez
Major
Let's assume our alternative Falklands has:
- A paved runway approximately 2,500–3,000 metres long.
- Aprons, fuel storage and facilities capable of supporting Phantom operations.
- Regular civilian jet service, perhaps using Boeing 737s.
- The same small Royal Marine garrison as historically, at least initially.
Now, given Britain's and Maggie's neglect of the Falklands and defence spending overall, a Phantom-capable runway doesn't automatically mean Britain has stationed Phantoms there. If Britain has no combat aircraft on the islands, I would say Argentina's invasion becomes more complicated, but the airfield could also be an enormous prize.
So, how does Argentina change its invasion plans? I would think that an unopposed landing of loaded cargo aircraft to quickly take the airfield would be the smartest move. Argentina could conduct an airfield-seizure operation first, in advance of the main amphibious invasion force. I'm looking to Operation Danube (1968), the Soviet-led invasion of Czechoslovakia, where in August 1968, a Soviet Aeroflot aircraft landed at Prague's Ruzyně Airport, ostensibly experiencing technical difficulties. Soviet personnel helped secure the airport, allowing military transports carrying airborne troops to land. The airfield became a major entry point for Soviet reinforcements.
Can Argentina reduce/eliminate Britain's warning of the coming invasion, and move quickly before Britain can dispatch RAF combat aircraft and Para-loaded transports to Stanley? What about South Georgia, if Argentina leaves that alone, Britain may be even more laid back. Once the airfield occupation is underway, are there RN submarines in the area to attack the incoming amphibious invasion force or does this land unopposed?
And assuming Argentina does take the islands with an intact 3,000 m runway, fuel storage, etc. what sort of air group would be based there? I assume a mix of Daggers, Mirages, Skyhawks and Super Étendards. This will give the RN and FAA something to think about as the Task Force approaches.
- A paved runway approximately 2,500–3,000 metres long.
- Aprons, fuel storage and facilities capable of supporting Phantom operations.
- Regular civilian jet service, perhaps using Boeing 737s.
- The same small Royal Marine garrison as historically, at least initially.
Now, given Britain's and Maggie's neglect of the Falklands and defence spending overall, a Phantom-capable runway doesn't automatically mean Britain has stationed Phantoms there. If Britain has no combat aircraft on the islands, I would say Argentina's invasion becomes more complicated, but the airfield could also be an enormous prize.
So, how does Argentina change its invasion plans? I would think that an unopposed landing of loaded cargo aircraft to quickly take the airfield would be the smartest move. Argentina could conduct an airfield-seizure operation first, in advance of the main amphibious invasion force. I'm looking to Operation Danube (1968), the Soviet-led invasion of Czechoslovakia, where in August 1968, a Soviet Aeroflot aircraft landed at Prague's Ruzyně Airport, ostensibly experiencing technical difficulties. Soviet personnel helped secure the airport, allowing military transports carrying airborne troops to land. The airfield became a major entry point for Soviet reinforcements.
Can Argentina reduce/eliminate Britain's warning of the coming invasion, and move quickly before Britain can dispatch RAF combat aircraft and Para-loaded transports to Stanley? What about South Georgia, if Argentina leaves that alone, Britain may be even more laid back. Once the airfield occupation is underway, are there RN submarines in the area to attack the incoming amphibious invasion force or does this land unopposed?
And assuming Argentina does take the islands with an intact 3,000 m runway, fuel storage, etc. what sort of air group would be based there? I assume a mix of Daggers, Mirages, Skyhawks and Super Étendards. This will give the RN and FAA something to think about as the Task Force approaches.
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