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78ofA Nimrod taking advantage of one its many newly-acquired capabilities.of an AAR capability was a prodigious achievement by all involved,both in industry and in the air force. Although, with hindsight, I doubtthat the training of our pilots was fully mature, to judge from theoccasional Victor cry of %u2018Back off, too close!%u2019 Our crew was fortunate tohave one of the first AAR trained pilots, and we were first in theatre withthe capability. The ability to operate off the Argentine coast and withinsight of the Falklands considerably enhanced the support that we couldgive to the TF, as well as literally broadening our horizons.In addition to the continuing Direct Support roles and protection ofthe ASI base, there was surveillance for Soviet snoopers %u2013 a Bear D anda Primorye intelligence gathering ship (AGI) %u2013 and for Argentinemerchant ships and their ELINT-equipped Boeing 707, which wasthought to be shadowing the TF units. Finally, there was airborne Searchand Rescue (SAR) and rendezvous assistance to Victors, to BLACKBUCK Vulcans and to deploying Harriers. It has to be said that ASWwas a minimal task.This busy programme usually required at least a daily sortie from theNimrod detachment, which varied in size between two and five aircraft