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18Within days of the decision to launch a Task Force I was appointedAir Commander with responsibility for all RAF aircraft deployedforward in support. I became part of the Command team under AdmiralFieldhouse known at first as the FLAIR (Flag and Air Officers) and lateras the FLAIRGO when the Army sent a General to join us when 5Brigade was added to the ORB and Jeremy Moore went South in theQE2.I had one personal asset that stood me in good stead for this campaign.During my RAF career of forty years I had served in every operationalcommand and had flown in every aircraft type committed to the war,except for the Harrier; although I made up for that after the operationwas over.The other members of the FLAIR were: Admiral Sir Peter Herbert,Flag Officer Submarines; Admiral Halifax, COS Fleet; AdmiralHammersley, Fleet Engineering Officer; and General Jeremy Moore,Royal Marines. Lieutenant General Trant joined later. When 5 Brigadewas added the CinC had land forces of some 10,500 men undercommand.The FLAIR met daily to plan the campaign, monitor the progress ofthe Task Force and decide on what further assets were required. Whenthe Task Force arrived off Ascension we flew down by VC10 to discussthe plan of campaign and the possible landing sites with SandyWoodward, the Task Force Commander. Before the go ahead for alanding was finally given the FLAIRGO subsequently briefed the PrimeMinister and the War Cabinet in Whitehall on our plans for the recoveryof the Falklands.Despite, or perhaps due to, the very crowded accommodation, theTask Force Headquarters worked very well and very harmoniously. Afterthe end of the campaign one of the naval officers in the HQ said that theyhad drawn great confidence from the sounds of laughter that came fromthe meetings of the FLAIR just down the corridor. We did not take ourtask lightly, but John Fieldhouse knew how to mix humour withdetermination and the attention to detail.We were subject to numerous visits. The Prime Minister came to threeof our evening briefings and sometimes brought members of her WarCabinet. The Duke of Edinburgh and John Nott came separately two orthree times and HM The Queen visited the Headquarters and had lunchat Admiralty House.