Operation Corporate

Operation Corporate was the UK name given to the conflict between it and Argentina to retake the Falkand Islands (Islas Malvinas) and associated South Atlantic territories following their seizure by military invasion in early April 1982. The UK despatched a large naval task force and associated air and land forces, often using the Ascension Island as a mid point mounting base. Most of the UKs helicopter squadrons and/or their personnel found themselves involved in this operation sooner or later. Many of the helicopter types involved were upgraded to improve their capabilities or survivability. This conflict also marked the first combat use of the newly delivered RAF Chinook HC Mk1, and where several were lost, along with many other reinforcement helicopters, following the Exocet sinking of the Atlantic Conveyor.

The operation highlighted the drawbacks of relying on a non-organic maritime reconnaissance capability, following the HM Treasury-led retirement of the Gannet AEW.3 force and the inflexibility in the deployment of Shackleton AEW.2 and Nimrod MR.2 shore-based assets to support the Fleet in a timely fashion. On the plus side, it led to the development of the Sea King AEW.2 and its successors plus the adoption of more robust anti-missile defence systems and a re-learning of lessons about the use of low combustibility materials for the surface fleet.

indeed it was not the lack of maritime recce capability that was exposed, as the Nimrod MR2 (not the Mk 1 was indicated above) was fitted with in-flight refuelling probes specifically to operate in the combat zone, and the organic Sea Kings and Sea Harriers were employed for these duties too. The fundamental deficiency was organic airborne early warning (AEW) as the only available UK aircraft, the Shackleton AEW Mk2 had insufficient endurance to operate in the South Atlantic.