MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Argentina identifies remains of downed pilot in Falklands

Argentine Canberra MK-62

The Argentine pilot remains returned from the Falkland Islands last August correspond to Air Force navigator Captain Fernando Casado, who was shot down during possibly the last air incursion before the end of the conflict in June 1982, according to primary reports published Wednesday in Buenos Aires daily Clarin.

Captain Fernando Casado, 37, married and with three children was copiloting a Canberra MK-62 which together with a second bomber had left Rio Gallegos on June 13th, 21:30 hours to bomb the Falklands. His aircraft apparently was downed by a British missile, the pilot was saved but Captain Casado could not parachute on time. The South Atlantic conflict officially ended the following day June 14 with the surrender of the Argentine forces. The preliminary DNA reports to which Clarin had access are from Argentina's National Genetic Bank belonging to the Immunology Department of the Durand Hospital. Apparently the DNA report was sent to the Argentine Foreign Affairs ministry last week. Foreign Affairs minister Jorge Taiana said he would make no comments until the family has been informed. Clarin contacted Casado family members who said the genetic exams of the pilot are "non official" so they also adopted a no-comment stance. However Clarin did find out that the remains were DNA tested and compared with those of his living brother. The Argentine Air Force from the very beginning speculated that the remains could belong to the Canberras incursion given the place where the remains were found. Although discovered in 1986 they had been kept at the Falklands' Police Station. Captain Casado was the only Argentine casualty of that night's attack and remained unaccounted for. Canberras Baco 1 and Baco 2, escorted by a couple of Mirage III interceptors had the mission of bombing Port Harriet. However while Baco 2 landed safely in Rio Gallegos after midnight early June 14th Baco 1 never returned but pilot Captain Roberto Pastrán was among the prisoners returned to Argentina after the war. Argentina lost 55 Air Force pilots during the 74 day South Atlantic conflict.