The Station

The most recent purpose-built airfield in the RAF, Mount Pleasant Complex was opened in 1985 to establish a fighter and transport presence in the Islands.

The RAF provides key elements of the forces that Headquarters British Forces South Atlantic Islands use to ensure the security of the Falklands, the South Sandwich Islands and South Georgia. Not only through the air bridge from RAF Brize Norton to Ascension Island and onwards to the Falkland Islands, but also through deterrence patrols across the immense area between the islands.

Currently based at Mount Pleasant are No 1435 Flight with 4 Typhoon FGR4, No 1312 Flight, with a Voyager tanker and an Atlas C1 (A400M).

RAF personnel also support a wide range of roles on the ground; from radar operators to weapons technicians in support of the Typhoons.

Commander

Commodore Jonathan Lett Royal Navy

Commodore Jonathan Lett took command of Mount Pleasant Complex in November 2020. Prior to this he worked as the UK Liaison Officer to US Southern Command in Miami.

Commodore Jonathan Lett joined the Royal Navy as a Warfare Officer and has served in the South Atlantic on four previous occasions, having deployed as a Watchkeeper in HMS WESTMINSTER, Navigator of HMS LANCASTER and as Commanding Officer of both HMS CLYDE and HMS MONTROSE.

Who's based here

Key dates

  • 1985 - Opened by Prince Andrew
  • 2009 - 1435 Flight equipped with Typhoon FGR4