Falklands Naval Station facts for kids
The Falklands Naval Station (Spanish: Apostadero Naval Malvinas) was the main base for Argentina's navy in the Falklands Islands (also called Malvinas Islands). It was used during the South Atlantic conflict in 1982.
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The Falklands Naval Station was a naval port facility of the Argentine Navy. It was set up on April 2, 1982, by the Sea Fleet Command. The base was located in Port Stanley, which is the main port and biggest town in the Falklands Islands.
Setting Up the Base
The station was built in buildings near the East Pier in Port Stanley. Some staff also worked in other parts of the capital and the islands. The first and only commander was frigate captain Adolfo Aurelio Gaffoglio. The base closed down when the 1982 conflict ended.
Important Jobs and Events
At first, the station's main job was to provide supplies and help to naval ships in the Falklands. But as the Falklands War continued, its activities grew to include many different missions. Argentina had not been in a war since the 1800s. Because of this, the station did many new things for Argentina's Navy. This included placing naval mines (underwater explosives) and launching Exocet MM-38 missiles. They even used a quickly built launcher for coastal defense!
Sailors from the station also operated small coastal boats. These boats had been taken from the Falkland Islands Government and the Falkland Islands Company. On May 1, 1982, a patrol boat called Islas Malvinas GC82 was damaged near Kidney Island. This happened when a British helicopter from HMS Alacrity attacked it. The British helicopter was also damaged by fire from an armed ship called Forrest.
During another mission, the small Argentine vessel Monsunen was taking supplies to the soldiers in Port Stanley from Fox Bay. British naval ships and aircraft attacked it during the Battle of Seal Cove. The crew had to leave the ship when it got stuck. But it floated again when the tide came in. With help from the Forrest, they were able to finish delivering the supplies. Towards the end of the war, sailors from the station fought on land. They supported Argentine marines and fought against British special forces during a diversionary raid on Port Stanley Harbour.
Ships at the Base
Many ships used this base, including:
- ARA Bahía Buen Suceso
- ARA Isla de los Estados
- ELMA Formosa
- ELMA Río Carcarañá
- Yehuín
- Forrest
- Monsunen
- Penélope
- PNA Islas Malvinas
- PNA Río Iguazú
There was also a small group called the "Boat Group" (Spanish: Dotación de Lanchas). This group operated the tugboat Lively, two landing craft, and a barge used for refuelling other ships.
See also
- Battle of Seal Cove
- Raid on Cortley Ridge
- Empresa Líneas Marítimas Argentinas (ELMA)
