<h2 class="blog-hed2 pb-lg-4 pb-3 text-lg-center">History RAF Mount Pleasant</h2>
<p class="blog-para"><strong>Falklands War</strong></p>
<p class="blog-para">RAF Mount Pleasant is the newest permanent airfield in the Royal Air Force.The RAF previously had a small airfield at Stanley airfield after the end of the hostilities in 1982. During the Falklands War when the islands were occupied by Argentine military forces, British aircraft were sent to disable the runway with RAF Strike Command Vulcan bombers (Operation Black Buck) and Royal Navy Sea Harriers. The raids were moderately successful, and on the first Black Buck mission one 1,000-pound (450 kg) bomb hit the runway in the middle, disabling it. However, temporary repairs by Argentines engineers did allow C-130 Hercules transport aircraft to bring in supplies and take out casualties until the end of the conflict. At the end of hostilities, the runway was fully repaired by British military engineers.</p>
<p class="blog-para"><strong>Construction</strong></p>
<p class="blog-para">In order to deter further Argentine aggression or invasion attempts, the British Government considered it necessary to enhance the military presence in the Falklands. However, the temporary military airfield at RAF Stanley was restricted by the length and strength of its runway.Therefore, in June 1983, the British Government announced that a new military airfield would be constructed at Mount Pleasant, the option being considered to be more cost effective and straightforward than upgrading RAF Stanley. It would also allow RAF Stanley to remain operational whilst the new airfield was constructed.</p>
<h2 class="blog-hed2 pb-lg-4 pb-3 text-lg-left">Protecting the Falklands</h2>
<p class="blog-para">Mount Pleasant's first flying unit, No. 23 Squadron, equipped with four McDonnell Douglas Phantom FGR.2, arrived from RAF Stanley on 21 April 1986. The Phantoms were joined by No. 78 Squadron on 22 May 1986, which was reformed from the former No. 1310 Flight, operating the Boeing Chinook HC1 and No. 1564 Flight, operating the Westland Sea King HAR3.Later in 1986, two Lockheed C-130 Hercules C1K of No. 1312 Flight, operating in the air-to-air refuelling role, moved to Mount Pleasant to support the Phantoms.</p>
<p><img class="img-fluid p-lg-0 rounded w-100" title="RAF Mount Pleasant Airfield " src="../../main/img/airport/raf/1.webp" alt="RAF Mount Pleasant Airfield " width="950px" height="500px"></p>