Falkland Islands Liberation Day 14th June - On this day Argentine troops laid down their weapons after weeks of fighting. When the thunder of the guns was finally stilled in and around the Falkland Islands on 14th June 1982, 258* families were left to count the terrible cost. They had lost sons, fathers and husbands in the fierce actions fought at sea, on land, and in the air.

More than half the British casualties died at sea; the majority under fierce enemy attack which sank five ships and damaged eight more, some severely. Most of those killed have no grave but the sea. Others died in the fighting on land; many on dark hillsides in night battles. Yet more were killed while flying over land and sea.

Our thoughts and memories are with everyone affected, those families and friends who lost loved ones, brothers, sisters and friends during this war and especially the survivors, still battle scared today.

We Remember Them

Lyrics from the The Falklands Hymn
We entrust to the Lord our lost brothers.
They responded to duty's stern call,
And so far from their homes and their loved ones
Paid the price that is highest of all.
Flesh had failed them, but God was their saviour,
Bringing rescue from battle's alarms;
Beyond death He is always their refuge,
Underneath, everlasting, His arms.

We commend to the Lord those who mourn them,
Loving parents and children and wives,
For whom pride in their selfless commitment
Has been countered by grief for lost lives.
When so many returned, theirs were absent,
Leaving long years of anguish to face;
May the Lord heal the wounds of bereavement
With the infinite power of His grace.

We commit to the Lord now our own lives,
And we vow in our turn to reply
To the call of the weak and the friendless,
Though the cost to ourselves may be high.
When the choosing is hard, may God grant us
The direction that strengthens and calms.
For we trust in the Lord as our refuge,
Underneath, everlasting, His arms.

Your Memories
RAF Lyneham played an active part during the Falkland Islands War of 1982, and many memories of the conflict are still fresh in our minds. Please spend a few moments remembering these times and share your vivid memories with others who were involved during Operation Corporate 1982 - The Falklands Campaign. Even if you did not serve in the South Atlantic what were your memores from back home during this conflict? Please read our forum here

Baroness Margaret Thatcher, as prime minister at the time, took the decision to send a naval task force 8,000 miles (12,875 km) to the South Atlantic, to reclaim the islands after the Argentines invaded on the 2nd April 1982.

"Sending troops into battle is the gravest decision that any prime minister has to take. To fight 8,000 miles away from home, in perilous conditions, against a well armed, if badly led, enemy was bound to be an awesome challenge," she said.

"Tyranny and violence wear many masks. Yet from victory in the Falklands we can all today draw hope and strength. Fortune does, in the end, favour the brave. And it is Britain's good fortune that none are braver than our armed forces. Thank you - all."

It was an "awesome achievement" for the forces that had been operating in harsh conditions. The Hercules aircraft from RAF Lyneham, were staged at Ascension Island during the first phases of the conflict. Ascension Island is situated approximately half way between the UK and the Falklands, it became a key logistical base for troops heading for the war. The first British air attacks of the conflict were launched from Ascension Island, Black Buck raid, on 1 May 1982 when RAF Vulcan bombers made the 8,000-mile round-trip to target Port Stanley airfield. Ascension Island is a British Overseas Territory just south of the equator in the South Atlantic with a population of about 1,100.

Read our special memoires of the involvement that RAF Lyneham's Fat Albert played in this amazing feat, the aircraft, build up, modifications and reflections. More..

*A total of 255 British servicemen, more than 650 Argentines and three islanders were killed in the 74-day conflict