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From the first landings in San Carlos Waters on 21 may until the Argentine surrender 3 Commando Brigade Air Squadron RM (Major C P Cameron) supported the landing forces often under appalling conditions, by day and by night and in the early stages, frequently attacked by Argentine fighter and ground attack aircraft.

During the initial landings and in the course of the attack on Darwin and Goose Green the Squadron lost three aircraft to enemy action together with four aircrew killed and two wounded.

The Squadron was involved in every major ground battle during the campaign in a variety of roles; reconnaissance, liaison, the movement of ammunition to the front line and the recovery of casualties from the forward positions.

All these were undertaken in a variety of weather conditions, sometimes at night and often under fire.

Its six Scout and nine Gazelle helicopters flew a total of 2,110 hours in just over three weeks reflecting a remarkable rate of serviceability and flying.

The courage and skill of the aircrew backed by the skill and devotion to duty of the ground support enabled the Squadron to make a significant contribution to the defeat of the Argentine ground forces and their surrender on 14 June.

Some of 3 BAS Award Winners Falklands 1982:- Sgt E.R. Candlish RM MiD, Capt J.P. Niblett RM DFC, Maj C.P. Cameron RM MC, Cpl I.C.Corrigan REME MiD, Lt Cdr G.R.A. Coryton MiD

July 1982, Peter Cameron with one of XX411's sister Gazelles and captured Argentinian Augusta 109 helicopter.

Unless other credit given photographs on this site are copyright Jim Keable 2002-2010