Port San Carlos, First Harrier Landing

This painting by Charles David Cobb shows how the bridgehead at San Carlos gave the British more strategic options. It allowed them to move their stores, supplies and troops ashore but it also allowed for the Harriers to have the ability to land, refuel, rearm and rejoin its air defence role and so provide improved air cover. It also allowed the valuable aircraft carriers to remain further out to sea and away from attacks by the Argentine Air Force and the deadly exocet missiles.