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101discipline. What they did bring back, along with No 18 Sqn when theymoved to G%u00fctersloh from Odiham to form the RAFG SH Force with No230 Sqn, was a quite invaluable insight into the challenges and pressuresof contemporary conflict.My third point concerns the dangers of inadequately trialledmodifications, particularly when introduced to carry new weapons. Soonafter the end of the war, a Harrier pilot on the first sortie of the day for acombat air patrol, switched on his armament master switches as he linedup on the runway at Port Stanley airfield. Because of incorrectpositioning of other weapons switches in a dark corner of the cockpit, heimmediately fired two AIM-9L missiles which caused the most awfulinjuries to a group of soldiers tasked for snow clearance duties at the endof the runway, and who had not pulled well clear of the take off strip. Iremember this tragic event only too clearly because, several monthslater, I had to meet all the soldiers, mostly Guardsmen, at Pirbright toexplain what had happened and to present the RAF%u2019s formal apologies.Their forgiveness of the pilot concerned reflected a quite exceptionalgenerosity of spirit which was most humbling and which I shall never,never forget %u2013 and it makes one wonder what has happened since then tocontemporary society both within and without the armed services.To conclude with my final point, and on a lighter note, I well recallmeeting on his return to G%u00fctersloh one of the more senior Harrier pilotswho delivered our first LGB%u2019s towards the end of the war. And who,incidentally, was one of the four brave chaps who flew direct fromAscension Island to join the Task Force with AAR support until theirfinal cast off from the tankers. Thereafter, as they say, there was noturning back.Anyway I asked him what was the single most important operationallesson he learnt during the war. Without hesitation he promptly replied%u2018never fly over the Scots Guards!%u2019Thinking back to prepare this short talk, I have been surprised by theclarity of my memories. There would be much more to say if timepermitted, but my job is really to provide the warm up for what is tofollow %u2013 and it is a marvellous story that, to this day, reflects the greatestcredit on our Service and on the men who deployed south to recapturethe Falkands Islands.