Page 103 - Conflitti Militari e Popolazioni Civili - Tomo II

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aCta
Civilians in Malvinas’ conflict

rICArDo LUIS qUELLET

civiLians in the maLvinas’ confLict

History
In 1833 Great Britain occupied military the Malvinas Islands, which were part of the
Argentine territory and were governed by an Argentinean one. The population was removed
and a colony was settled named Kelpers.
After almost 150 years of sovereignty questioning and being recognized by the UN, it got
to an unbearable situation due to permanent incidents, and lack of negotiations.
In February 1982, the Military Comity (1) approved, which was written by the Military
Junta governing at that time, to plan the military action and urged Great Britain to continue
negotiations. The management of these maneuvers was under the orders of the Naval Com-
mander due to the location of the conflict. According to a resolution named 1/69, which de-
termined the tasks of the Argentine Forces, the air activities in the area, were under the naval
control, primarily. This was the frame used to plan the activities.
The commander which managed the operations was named Commander of South At-
lantic Operations (COATLANSUR). Its mission was to dissuade and interdict the eventual
military British reactions to which the Military Comity subordinated all the elements brought
to the area, an Infantry Regiment and the Air Force elements in the continent.
On the other hand as a possible conflict with Chile was not denied, boundary issue, a
south operation theatre (SOT) was settled to defend the continental territory.
One of the most significant changes was to determine the jurisdiction of this operation
theatre up to 12 nautical miles, recognized by the international legislation as Argentine Ter-
ritorial Sea. this measure got a negative connotation.
Therefore the bases of the Air Force and Navy aviation located in the littoral Atlantic to
operate from another theatre (SAOT) were placed out of the jurisdiction of the 12 nautical
miles.

responsibiLity of the air force
on april 4 1982, due to the armed British reaction and the blockade imposed to the
th
islands, the Air Force was formally requested to:
• Maintain an air bridge to Malvinas despite the imposed blockade.
• Explore and do reconnaissance flight over the sea with KC-130 planes in coordination
with the Navy planes Neptune.
• Do air tactical operations (support with fire to all military terrestrial maneuvers, explore,
do reconnaissance flight, search and rescue, direct and indirect air defense) to the islands
and the air bases given to the South air Force.
To satisfy these requirements, it was ordered to elaborate a Plan which covered all these
activities.