Now a US citizen, but served in the Royal Navy from 1976-1998. In April 1982 Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands, Margaret Thatcher sent a Task Force 8000 miles to liberate them. I was onboard HMS Coventry on exercise close to Gibraltar, and we sailed south. After shooting down many aircraft, and our helo used Sea Skua missiles against boats (first use of this missile in combat) my ship was sunk May 25th with the loss of 19. Others have died since, related wounds or other problems). After the sinking, most of the crew were transfered to QE2 and returned home to Southampton on June 12th. As we disembarked, we were hugged by strangers (to me, strangers, to others, family) and I finally saw my parents, and it was the first time I saw my late Father cry. Fast forward 9 years, Desert Shield/Storm in 1990-1. Onboard HMS Gloucester we were based in Jebel Ali in the UAE, with massive air support. We slept fully dressed ON our bunks, not IN them. We spent 95% of out time up-range, and our helo spent little time with us as she was re-armed and re-fueled onboard US ships. The Sea Skua missile was battle-proven and that little helo took out many Iraqi boats. A few days before the end of the war we were lifeguard to USS Missouri. One of our radar operators spotted a fast-moving contact closing the force, showing no IFF. It turned out to be a Silkworm missile, which we took out with SeaDart, the first missile/missile engagement in the world. We received loads of mail from appreciative American families after the news broke. Retirning home to Portsmouth UK in April, I was met by my late Father (Mom had died in 1987) and again saw him in tears.

Keith
Brandon, FL