MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

First Sea Lord returns

ADMIRAL Sir Alan West, First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff, back in the Falklands last week says that visiting the Islands is, “always a very emotional experience.”

Admiral West was Captain of HMS Ardent in 1982 when the ship was sunk in San Carlos water while the major landing of British Forces was taking place, and he returned to the Islands last week for a service of remembrance for those who lost their lives on the ship.

High winds prevented the service being held on board HMS Dumbarton Castle which was anchored at the point where HMS Ardent went down, so instead a service was conducted at the British Cemetery at San Carlos.

"I've got mixed memories here," Admiral West said last week at the service. "It's very sad because I lost twenty-two really nice lads, but then equally I'm very proud of what the ship did and what they did and what the Royal Navy and the British Forces did down here."

At just 34 years old in 1982, Admiral West was the youngest commanding officer of any of the big ships of the Task Force, but he doesn't believe this held him at a disadvantage. "No, I don't think it made any difference," he said, "it was hard for other people as well.

"I think people who have experienced fighting before always find it easier than those who haven't, but I had only had a small amount of experience fighting before that."

Describing what he calls, "a very hard battle," Admiral West said the Royal Navy played a key role in the conflict in rendering the Argentine Air Force less effective.

"By May 25, the Argentine Air Force couldn't really mount big attacks any more," he said. "We had taken the edge off it; that was a huge achievement and of course we landed over 3,000 men here without any of them taking a loss from air attacks, so I'm very proud of what the navy did in the water just beyond San Carlos bay and in San Carlos itself."

After his ship had been sunk, Admiral West and his crew were on board Canberra until they sailed to South Georgia where they transferred to the QE2 and then returned to the UK, "so my wife accuses me of cruising for the entire war," Admiral West said.

Asked how it felt to be back in the Falklands, Admiral West stressed that seeing the Islands as a successful and prosperous place was extremely pleasing. "It's very nice to be here," he said, "to see the islands, see the islanders, see it thriving; that all makes it seem worthwhile somehow."

After the conflict, Admiral West went on to have a very successful Navy career that saw him promoted to Rear Admiral in 1994, and then Vice Admiral in 1997. In 2000 he was promoted to Admiral and took up his position as Commander-in-Chief Fleet, and then in 2002 he was appointed as First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff.

Admiral West is due to retire next month and says that although he will take a break first, he definitely intends to work again, "...and maybe make a bit of money for a change." (PN)

Rob Burnett - Stanley