South Atlantic 1982: The carrier campaign in the Falklands War

A detailed account of the war-winning role that a handful of Harrier squadrons played in the Falklands War.

On 5 April 1982, the British aircraft carriers Hermes and Invincible sailed for the South Atlantic at the heart of the task force that would retake the Falkland Islands, known to Argentina as the Islas Malvinas. Air power was essential to the operation, and some analysts considered the contest unwinnable. The British had just 42 fighter jets available (28 Sea Harriers and 14 RAF Harrie...