View source for RAF Mount Pleasant

{{Short description|Royal Air Force station in the Falkland Islands}}
{{Distinguish|RCAF Station Mount Pleasant}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2014}}
{{Infobox military installation
| name=RAF Mount Pleasant
| ensign=Ensign of the Royal Air Force.svg
| ensign_size=90px
| partof=
| location=
| nearest_town= [[Stanley, Falkland Islands|Stanley]], [[East Falkland]]
| country=the [[Falkland Islands]]
| image=File:Mount Pleasant Airport - Donald Morrison.jpg
| caption=Aerial view of RAF Mount Pleasant
| image2=Raf_mount_pleasant_badge.png
| image2_size=100px
| caption2=''Defend the Right''
| pushpin_map=Falkland Islands#South America
| pushpin_label=RAF Mount Pleasant
| pushpin_map_caption= Location in Falkland Islands
| pushpin_label_position=left
| coordinates={{Coord|51|49|22|S|058|26|50|W|region:FK_type:airport|display=inline,title}}
| type=Permanent Joint Operating Base
| code=
| site_area=
| height=
| ownership=[[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]]
| operator=[[Royal Air Force]]
| controlledby=[[British Forces South Atlantic Islands]]
| open_to_public=
| condition= Operational
| built={{Start date|df=yes|1985}}
| builder=
| used=1985–present<!--{{End date|df=yes|1946}} -->
| materials=
| fate=
| battles=
| events=
| current_commander=<!-- current commander -->
| past_commanders=<!-- past notable commander(s) -->
| garrison=
| occupants= * [[No. 905 Expeditionary Air Wing (United Kingdom)|No. 905 Expeditionary Air Wing]]
*[[No. 1312 Flight RAF|No. 1312 Flight]]
* [[No. 1435 Flight RAF|No. 1435 Flight]]
| website= {{Official website|https://www.raf.mod.uk/our-organisation/stations/mount-pleasant-complex/}}
| elevation={{Convert|71.1|m|0}}
| IATA=MPN
| ICAO=EGYP
| FAA=
| TC=
| LID=
| GPS=
| WMO=88889
| r1-number=10/28
| r1-length={{Convert|2589|m|0}}
| r1-surface=[[Asphalt concrete]]
| r2-number=05/23
| r2-length={{Convert|1525|m|0}}
| r2-surface=Asphalt concrete
| footnotes='''Source''': UK Military Aeronautical Information Publication – Mount Pleasant (EGYP)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aidu.mod.uk/aip/pdf/ad/EGYP-Mount-Pleasant-Combined.pdf|title=UK Military Aeronautical Information Publication – Mount Pleasant (EGYP)|date=7 October 2020|website=No.1 Aeronautical Information Documents Unit|publisher=Royal Air Force|access-date=20 February 2022}}</ref>
}}

'''RAF Mount Pleasant''' {{Airport codes|MPN|EGYP}} (also known as '''Mount Pleasant Airport''', '''Mount Pleasant Complex''' or '''MPA''')<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.falklands.info/background/acro.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060619060025/http://www.falklands.info/background/acro.html|url-status=dead|title=Falkland Islands Information Portal|archivedate=19 June 2006}}</ref> is a [[List of Royal Air Force stations|Royal Air Force station]] in the [[British Overseas Territory]] of the [[Falkland Islands]]. The airfield goes by the motto of "Defend the right"<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://cdn-19.create.net/siteimages/19/9/6/199610/1990733/f_1081766.jpg|title=Photo of an RAF Mount Pleasant plaque}}{{Dead link|date=July 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> (while the motto of the islands is "Desire the right") and is part of the [[Military of the Falkland Islands|British Forces South Atlantic Islands]] (BFSAI). Home to between 1,000 and 2,000 British military personnel, it is about {{convert|33|mi}} southwest of [[Stanley, Falkland Islands|Stanley]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Mount Pleasant Aerodrome Manual|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/433565/20150605-MPAM_3_3.pdf|website=www.gov.uk|publisher=Ministry of Defence|access-date=13 January 2017|page=19|date=June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170116161457/https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/433565/20150605-MPAM_3_3.pdf|archive-date=16 January 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> the capital of the Falklands, on the island of [[East Falkland]]. The world's longest corridor, {{convert|800|m|order=flip}} long, links the barracks, messes, and recreational and welfare areas of the station, and was nicknamed the "[[Death Star]] Corridor" by personnel due to its drab and foreboding ambience, before it was re-designed, re-painted, and re-named "Millennium Corridor".<ref name=corridor>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/1524505/Brigadier-David-Nicholls.html|title=Brigadier David Nicholls|date=22 July 2006|work=Telegraph.co.uk|access-date=3 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171225221828/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/1524505/Brigadier-David-Nicholls.html|archive-date=25 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

Mount Pleasant was opened by the then [[Prince Andrew]] on 12 May 1985, becoming fully operational the following year. The station was constructed as part of British efforts to strengthen the defence of the Falkland Islands following the [[Falklands War]]. It remains the newest purpose-built RAF station and replaced previous RAF facilities at [[Port Stanley Airport]].

==History==

=== Falklands War ===
RAF Mount Pleasant is the newest permanent airfield in the [[Royal Air Force]]. The RAF previously had a small airfield at [[Port Stanley Airport]] after the end of the hostilities in 1982. During the [[Falklands War]] when the islands were occupied by [[Argentina|Argentine]] military forces, British aircraft were sent to disable the runway with [[RAF Strike Command]] [[Avro Vulcan|Vulcan bomber]]s ([[Operation Black Buck]]) and [[Royal Navy]] [[BAE Sea Harrier|Sea Harrier]]s. The first two Black Buck missions were flown under tactics to make it reasonably probable at least one of twenty-one 1,000-pound bombs dropped would hit the target.<ref>{{cite book |last=White |first=Rowland |author-link=Rowland White (British writer) |year=2012 |title=Vulcan 607 |location=London |publisher=Bantam Press  |isbn=978-0-593-07126-7 |oclc=941503520 |pages=252–253}}</ref> On the first mission one {{convert|1000|lb|adj=on}} bomb hit the edge of the runway. The damage was easily repaired by Argentine engineers. [[Lockheed C-130 Hercules|C-130 Hercules]] transport aircraft were able to bring in supplies and take out casualties until the end of the conflict using one side of the runway. [[FMA IA 58 Pucará|Pucará]], Fokkers and [[Aermacchi MB-339|Aermacchi AM-339]] fast-jet fighters also operated from the runway from the first until the last day of the campaign. The second Black Buck mission failed to hit the runway. No Argentine aircraft were moved north to defend Buenos Aires. At the end of hostilities, the runway was fully repaired by British military engineers.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/research/history-of-aviation-timeline/interactive-aviation-timeline/british-military-aviation/1982.aspx|title=British Military Aviation in 1982|publisher=RAF Museum|access-date=10 May 2020}}</ref>

After the [[Argentine surrender in the Falklands War|surrender of the Argentine ground forces]] on the islands, the British still faced the problem of potential [[Argentina|Argentine]] air attacks from Argentina, so an aircraft carrier had to remain on station to guard the islands with its squadron of Sea Harriers until the local airfield was prepared for jet aircraft. {{HMS|Hermes|R12|6}} was the first to take guard duty, whilst {{HMS|Invincible|R05|6}} went north to change a main engine at sea.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.naval-history.net/F61home.htm|title=British Bases - Falklands War 1982|work=naval-history.net|access-date=13 September 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090922143224/http://www.naval-history.net/F61home.htm|archive-date=22 September 2009|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Invincible'' then returned to relieve ''Hermes'' which urgently needed to return to the UK for boiler cleaning. ''Invincible'' returned until she was relieved by the newly built {{HMS|Illustrious|R06|6}}, which was quickly rushed south and commissioned during the journey. Once the Port Stanley runway was available for jets, ''Illustrious'' was relieved by [[No. 23 Squadron RAF|23 Squadron]] operating the [[McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II in UK service|F-4 Phantom FGR.2]]. Initially stationed at [[RAF Stanley]], the unit moved to Mount Pleasant upon its opening.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.subbrit.org.uk/sites/wattisham-mk2-bloodhound-missile-site/|title=Wattisham Mk2 Bloodhound Missile Site – Subterranea Britannica|website=www.subbrit.org.uk|access-date=10 May 2020}}</ref>

=== Construction ===
In order to deter further Argentine aggression or invasion attempts, the British Government considered it necessary to enhance the military presence in the Falklands. However, the temporary military airfield at RAF Stanley was restricted by the length and strength of its runway.<ref>{{cite magazine |editor-last=Horseman |editor-first=Martin|title= New Falklands airfield |magazine=Armed Forces |date=October 1983|page=368 |publisher=Ian Allan |location=Shepperton |issn=0142-4696}}</ref> Therefore, in June 1983, the British Government announced that a new military airfield would be constructed at Mount Pleasant, the option being considered to be more cost effective and straightforward than upgrading RAF Stanley. It would also allow RAF Stanley to remain operational whilst the new airfield was constructed.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/commons/1983/jun/27/falkland-islands-strategic-airfield|title=Falkland Islands (Strategic Airfield) – Hansard|last=Heseltine|first=Michael|date=27 June 1983|website=UK Parliament|language=en-GB|access-date=16 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180417023839/https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/commons/1983/jun/27/falkland-islands-strategic-airfield|archive-date=17 April 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

The [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]] reached a voluntary agreement to purchase {{convert|8,300|acre}} of farmland for £55,000, with severance compensation assessed at £100,000. To allow existing agricultural operations to continue, Mount Pleasant House and other farm facilities were relocated at a cost of £83,877.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/lords/1984/apr/10/falkland-islands-airfield-land|title=Falkland Islands: Airfield Land – Hansard|last=Lord Orr-Ewing|date=10 April 1984|website=UK Parliament|language=en-GB|access-date=16 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180417024457/https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/lords/1984/apr/10/falkland-islands-airfield-land|archive-date=17 April 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

The airfield at Mount Pleasant was constructed by Mowlem-Laing Amey Roadstone Construction, a consortium of British civil engineering and construction firms [[Mowlem]], [[John Laing Group]] and [[Amey plc]]. At the construction stage the airfield was called the Falkland Island Strategic Airfield or FISA<ref name=":2"/> and was designed to accommodate military as well as civil [[wide-body aircraft]], enabling efficiencies in the running costs and time taken to support the Falklands garrison. The construction and shipping of materials to the Falklands was expected to cost approximately £190 million. Additional costs included the provision of a road between Stanley and Mount Pleasant and the installation of communication and navigation aids, bringing the overall cost to approximately £215m. Construction began in Autumn 1983 and the new runway was expected to be available for use by April 1985, with the wider airfield complete by February 1986.<ref name=":2" />

RAF Mount Pleasant was opened by the then Prince Andrew (later [[Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor]], who had seen active duty during the [[Falklands War]] while serving in the [[Fleet Air Arm]]) on 12 May 1985 and became fully operational on 1 May 1986.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.raf.mod.uk/history/rafhistorytimeline198089.cfm|title=RAF Timeline 1980–1989|date=2008|website=Royal Air Force|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080410164413/https://www.raf.mod.uk/history/rafhistorytimeline198089.cfm|archive-date=10 April 2008|access-date=16 April 2018}}</ref>

=== Protecting the Falklands ===
Mount Pleasant's first flying unit, [[No. 23 Squadron RAF|No. 23 Squadron]], equipped with four [[McDonnell Douglas Phantom in UK service|McDonnell Douglas Phantom FGR.2]], arrived from RAF Stanley on 21 April 1986. The Phantoms were joined by [[No. 78 Squadron RAF|No. 78 Squadron]] on 22 May 1986, which was reformed from the former [[No. 1310 Flight RAF|No. 1310 Flight]], operating the [[Boeing Chinook (UK variants)|Boeing Chinook HC1]] and [[No. 1564 Flight RAF|No. 1564 Flight]], operating the [[Westland Sea King|Westland Sea King HAR3]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.squadronprints.com/item/1400_ChinookHC4_0_0_2604_1.html|title=# 1400, Chinook HC4, 1310 Flt|website=Squadron Prints|language=en|access-date=17 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180418161145/https://www.squadronprints.com/item/1400_ChinookHC4_0_0_2604_1.html|archive-date=18 April 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Later in 1986, two [[Lockheed C-130 Hercules|Lockheed C-130 Hercules C1K]] of [[No. 1312 Flight RAF|No. 1312 Flight]], operating in the [[Aerial refuelling|air-to-air refuelling]] role, moved to Mount Pleasant to support the Phantoms.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=https://www.squadronprints.com/item/1332_VoyagerKC3_0_0_2343_1.html|title=# 1332, Voyager KC3, 1312 Flt|website=Squadron Prints|language=en|access-date=17 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180418161147/https://www.squadronprints.com/item/1332_VoyagerKC3_0_0_2343_1.html|archive-date=18 April 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>[[File:Tornado F3's flying over the Falkland islands. MOD 45147767.jpg|alt=Two Panavia Tornado F3 of No. 1435 Flight patrolling the skies over the Falkland Islands.|upright=1.4|left|thumb|Two [[Panavia Tornado ADV|Panavia Tornado F3]] of [[No. 1435 Flight RAF|No. 1435 Flight]] patrolling the skies over the [[Falkland Islands]].]]Responsibility for the air-defence and of the Falklands and the Phantoms of No. 23 Squadron were transferred to [[No. 1435 Flight RAF|No. 1435 Flight]] on 1 November 1988. Subsequently, the flight's Phantoms were replaced when four [[Panavia Tornado ADV|Panavia Tornado F3]] arrived in the Falklands in July 1992.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Brace by Wire to Fly-By-Wire – 80 Years of the Royal Air Force 1918–1998|last=March|first=Peter R.|publisher=Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund Enterprises|year=1998|isbn=1-899808-06-X|location=RAF Fairford|pages=158}}</ref>

No. 1312 Flight's Hercules C1K were withdrawn in April 1996, with the flight gaining a [[Vickers VC10|Vickers VC10 K4]] for air-to-air refuelling and C-130 Hercules C3 in the transport role.<ref name=":3" />
[[File:Typhoon Over the Falklands MOD 45157164.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Typhoon FGR4 of 1435 Flight]]
In September 2009, the Falklands' air-defence capability was enhanced when No. 1435 Flight's Tornado F3s were replaced by the [[Eurofighter Typhoon|Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4]] in the [[Quick Reaction Alert|quick reaction alert]] (QRA) role, at a cost of £1.56 million. To accommodate the Typhoon, a further £416,000 was spent on infrastructure improvements to the airfield.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200910/cmhansrd/cm100125/text/100125w0003.htm|title=Written Answers - European Fighter Aircraft: Falkland Islands|date=25 January 2010|website=parliament.uk|publisher=House of Commons - Hansard|access-date=5 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171206140024/https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200910/cmhansrd/cm100125/text/100125w0003.htm|archive-date=6 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> As of 2024, the Tranche 1 variant of the Typhoon is deployed in the islands.<ref name=":1">{{cite web | url=https://www.airforce-technology.com/features/what-uk-military-forces-are-based-at-the-falkland-islands/|title=What UK military forces are based at the Falkland Islands? |work=Air Force Technology |date=29 March 2024}}</ref>

As part of the RAF's wider upgrade of their Hercules, the C3 variant of No. 1312 Flight was replaced with a [[Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules|C-130J C5]] in April 2010. A [[Lockheed TriStar (RAF)|Lockheed TriStar K1]] took over the air-to-air refuelling role from the VC10 K4 in October 2013, when the latter was withdrawn from RAF service. The TriStar itself was soon replaced, in February 2014, by an [[Airbus A330 MRTT|Airbus A330 Voyager KC3]].<ref name=":3" />

Chinook helicopters provided heavy-lift support until they were withdrawn in 2006. In 2015, the Chinooks were redeployed to Mount Pleasant. A flight of [[Westland Sea King]] helicopters for support and [[search and rescue]] was located at Mount Pleasant from November 2007 until April 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/405129/Formations__Vessels___Aircraft_2013_Edition_Revised.pdf|title=Forward Available Fleets by type of aircraft for the Royal Air Force Air Command including Operational Conversion Units and Training Aircraft, at 1 April each year Note 13|page=16|publisher=Ministry of Defence|access-date=10 May 2020}}</ref>

[[Prince William]] served as a Sea King pilot on the station for six weeks during February and March 2012.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2011/nov/10/prince-william-falklands|title=Prince William to go to Falklands next year|last=Bates|first=Stephen|date=10 November 2011|access-date=23 December 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120101171154/http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/nov/10/prince-william-falklands|archive-date=1 January 2012|url-status=dead|work=The Guardian|location=London}}</ref>

As of 1 April 2016, with the retirement of [[Westland Sea King]] the Islands' [[search and rescue]] function has been replaced by a commercial organisation, AAR, subcontracting the services to British International Helicopters for 10 years using two new [[AgustaWestland AW189]]s.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.janes.com/article/48085/uk-awards-falklands-sar-contract-to-aar-airlift |first= Gareth |last=Jennings |title=UK awards Falklands SAR contract to AAR Airlift |website=[[Jane's Defence Weekly]] |date=19 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222123553/http://www.janes.com/article/48085/uk-awards-falklands-sar-contract-to-aar-airlift |archive-date=22 December 2015 |access-date=2 November 2017}}</ref>

1312 Flight's Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules, used for transport, [[search and rescue]], and [[maritime patrol]], was replaced with an [[Airbus A400M Atlas|Airbus A400M Atlas C1]] in April 2018.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=http://en.mercopress.com/2018/04/04/atlas-a400m-replaces-hercules-at-falklands-mount-pleasant-complex|title=Atlas A400M replaces Hercules at Falklands' Mount Pleasant Complex|date=4 April 2018|work=MercoPress|access-date=8 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180409043844/http://en.mercopress.com/2018/04/04/atlas-a400m-replaces-hercules-at-falklands-mount-pleasant-complex|archive-date=9 April 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Facilities ==
Mount Pleasant Complex has a wide range of social and sporting facilities including a gym and sports pitches. As of August 2010, it has the only [[cricket]] ground in the Falklands. There are two [[Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes|NAAFI]] shops, a medical centre, and an education centre on the base. [[British Forces Broadcasting Service#BFBS Radio|BFBS Radio]] also maintains a live local station on the site. There is also a complex that includes a small shop which is owned and run by the [[Falkland Islands Company]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceFor/ServiceCommunity/Hive/Overseas/FalklandIslandsHive.htm |title=Falkland Islands HIVE |access-date=20 March 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060614050059/http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceFor/ServiceCommunity/Hive/Overseas/FalklandIslandsHive.htm |archive-date=14 June 2006 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Role and operations==
[[File:RAF Typhoon, Falkland Islands (7413025058).jpg|alt=A Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4 landing at RAF Mount Pleasant in 2009.|thumb|A [[Eurofighter Typhoon variants|Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4]] landing at RAF Mount Pleasant in 2009. As of 2024, the Tranche 1 variant of the Typhoon is deployed in the islands.]] The station provides a base for air-defence and transport operations in the south Atlantic and is home to No. 905 [[Expeditionary Air Wing]], part of [[Military of the Falkland Islands|British Forces South Atlantic Islands]]. The wing comprises two RAF flights, which operate a range of aircraft:

* Four [[Eurofighter Typhoon variants|Eurofighter Typhoon Tranche 1]]s are operated by [[No. 1435 Flight RAF|No. 1435 Flight]] which provides air defence for the Falklands, [[South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands|South Sandwich Islands]] and [[South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands|South Georgia]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fast-air.co.uk/raf-coningsby-falklands-typhoon-flight-1435/ |title=Typhoons Depart for the Falklands |website=Fast Air Photography |date=12 September 2009 |access-date=15 October 2021}}</ref>
* [[No. 1312 Flight RAF|No. 1312 Flight]] operates an [[Airbus Voyager|Airbus Voyager KC2]] which is used for [[Aerial refueling|air-to-air refuelling]] and [[Airlift|transportation]]. The Voyager works alongside an [[Airbus A400M Atlas|Airbus A400M Atlas C1]] providing tactical transport, [[maritime patrol]], [[search and rescue]] and humanitarian assistance capabilities.<ref name=":0" />

Previosly [[No. 1310 Flight RAF|No. 1310 Flight]] operated two [[Boeing Chinook (UK variants)|Chinook HC.4]] helicopters.,<ref name=NN>{{cite web |url= http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2016/october/11/161011-clyde-catches-the-whirlybird |title=Clyde catches the whirlybird during demanding aviation training in the Falklands |date=11 October 2016 |publisher=Royal Navy |accessdate=15 January 2016}}</ref><ref name="FO"/> but as of 2022, Chinooks are no longer based in the Falklands.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.raf.mod.uk/our-organisation/stations/mount-pleasant-complex/ |title=Royal Air Force }}</ref>

Additionally, the civilian firm, [[Bristow Helicopters]] (BIH), operates two [[Sikorsky S-92]] for personnel and equipment transport and also flies two [[AgustaWestland AW189]]s for search and rescue operations.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.britishinternationalhelicopters.com/services/military|title=Military Contracts|website=British International Helicopters|access-date=8 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180409044054/http://www.britishinternationalhelicopters.com/services/military|archive-date=9 April 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://en.mercopress.com/2023/07/08/new-sikorsky-bristow-helicopter-unloaded-at-falklands-mpa | title=New Sikorsky Bristow helicopter unloaded at Falklands' MPA |website=Merco Press |date=8 July 2023 |accessdate=9 July 2023 }}</ref>

The [[British Army]] maintains a garrison on the Falkland Islands based at Mount Pleasant. It includes a [[roulement]] infantry company, an air defence surface-to-air missile unit (SAM "[[CAMM (missile family)|Sky Saber]]"), an Explosive Ordnance Disposal detachment, engineers and supporting elements.<ref>{{cite web |author=British Army |title=Deployments South Atlantic Islands |url=https://www.army.mod.uk/deployments/south-atlantic-islands/ |access-date=14 April 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Forces Net |title=Everything you need to know about British forces in the Falklands |url=https://www.forces.net/news/everything-you-need-know-about-british-forces-falklands |date=14 June 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Richard Thomas |title=What UK military forces are based at the Falkland Islands?|url=https://www.airforce-technology.com/features/what-uk-military-forces-are-based-at-the-falkland-islands/?cf-view |date=29 March 2024}}</ref>

There is also a Joint Communications Unit (JCU) providing the [[electronic warfare]] and command and control systems for the [[Royal Navy]], [[British Army]] and [[Royal Air Force]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.army.mod.uk/royalsignals/jcufi/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20050329091904/http://www.army.mod.uk/royalsignals/jcufi/|url-status=dead|title=Royal Corps of Signals|archivedate=29 March 2005}}</ref>

== Based units ==
Units based at Mount Pleasant Complex.<ref name="FO">{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/603060/Information_data_on_the_entire_fleet_of_the_Royal_Air_Force__RAF__aircrafts.pdf|title=FOIA 2017/1418|date=24 February 2017|publisher=gov.uk|access-date=29 July 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/SN06201/SN06201.pdf|title=Research Briefing – The Defence of the Falkland Islands|last=Brooke-Holland|first=Louise|date=8 February 2012|website=UK Parliament|publisher=House of Commons Library|access-date=15 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161026223956/http://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/SN06201/SN06201.pdf|archive-date=26 October 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

'''Royal Air Force'''
* [[No. 905 Expeditionary Air Wing (United Kingdom)|No. 905 Expeditionary Air Wing]]
** [[No. 1312 Flight RAF|No. 1312 Flight]] – 1x [[Airbus A330 MRTT|Voyager KC2]] and 1x [[Airbus A400M Atlas|A400M Atlas C1]]
** [[No. 1435 Flight RAF|No. 1435 Flight]] – 4x [[Eurofighter Typhoon|Typhoon Tranche 1]]<ref name=":1" />
'''British Army''' 
* [[Infantry of the British Army|'''Infantry''']]
** Falkland Islands [[Roulement]] [[Company (military unit)|Infantry Company]]
* '''[[Royal Artillery]]'''
** 7th Air Defence Group (Detachment) – [[CAMM (missile family)|Sky Sabre air defence missile system]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.army.mod.uk/who-we-are/formations-divisions-brigades/3rd-united-kingdom-division/7th-air-defence-group/|title=7th Air Defence Group|website=www.army.mod.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/sky_sabre_weapons_system|title=Sky Sabre weapons system - a Freedom of Information request to Ministry of Defence|date=4 October 2020|website=WhatDoTheyKnow}}</ref>

'''Royal Navy''' (Operating from [[Mare Harbour]] facilities five miles from the Mount Pleasant complex)

* {{HMS|Forth|P222}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/our-organisation/the-fighting-arms/surface-fleet/patrol/river-class/hms-forth |title=HMS Forth|publisher=Royal Navy|access-date=24 December 2021}}</ref> (temporarily replaced in 2023 by {{HMS|Medway|P223}} during ''Forth'''s refit<ref>{{cite news |title=Falklands patrol HMS Forth on maintenance; replaced by HMS Medway|url=https://en.mercopress.com/2023/02/04/falklands-patrol-hms-forth-on-maintenance-replaced-by-hms-medway |website=mercopress.com |date=4 February 2023 |agency=Merco Press|access-date=4 October 2023}}</ref> )

=== Joint service units ===

* Joint Force Logistic Unit
* Base Support Wing
* Joint Communications Unit Falkland Islands
* Joint Service Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit
* Joint Services Police and Security Unit
* Joint Services Signals Unit

=== Civilian ===
* [[AAR Corp]]/[[Bristow Helicopters]] (formerly [[British International Helicopters]]) - 2x [[Sikorsky S-92]] and 2x [[AgustaWestland AW189]]

==Airlines and destinations==
[[File:Entrance sign, British Forces South Atlantic Islands Mount Pleasant Complex.jpg|thumb|Mount Pleasant Complex entrance sign, outside the air terminal]]
Using the [[IATA airport code]] '''MPN''', Mount Pleasant Complex also acts as the Falkland Islands' only international airport, along with its military role. Flights open to civilian passengers are operated twice each week.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Getting to the Falkland Islands {{!}} Falkland Islands Government|url=https://www.falklandislands.com/plan-your-trip/getting-here|access-date=2025-07-25|website=www.falklandislands.com}}</ref> The [[Hercules C-130]] Transport Force operating out of [[RAF Lyneham]] supplied a direct non-stop service from RAF Lyneham via [[RAF Ascension Island|Ascension, Wideawake Airfield]]. From Ascension the flight was direct involving in-flight refuelling from a C-130 tanker. The flight duration was usually about 12 hours down and 13 hours back. The last scheduled flight in the world involving in-flight refuelling was carried out by a crew of [[No. 24 Squadron RAF|24 Squadron]] in C-130 XV291 during the period 18–23 March 1989. This was the 650th and last of its type carried out by RAF Lyneham C-130s. Flights were then operated directly by the RAF using the [[Lockheed TriStar (RAF)|Lockheed TriStars]] of [[No. 216 Squadron RAF|216 Squadron]]. Starting in autumn 2008,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sartma.com/art_5661.html|title=Falkland Wool Growers Report for Week Ending 16 July 2004 - Falkland Islands News|work=sartma.com|access-date=18 October 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110525101733/http://www.sartma.com/art_5661.html|archive-date=25 May 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> these flights were operated on behalf of the Royal Air Force by a civilian airline, [[Flyglobespan]]. Since the airline's bankruptcy in 2009, the flights have been operated by [[Air Tahiti Nui]], [[Titan Airways]], [[Air Seychelles]] and [[Hi Fly (airline)|Hi Fly]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.falklands.gov.fk/news/2010/01/airbridge-flights/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100204033644/http://www.falklands.gov.fk/news/2010/01/airbridge-flights/|url-status=dead|title=Airbridge - Flights|archivedate=4 February 2010}}</ref> The service is now operated by [[AirTanker]] using [[Airbus Voyager]] aircraft.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.falklands.gov.fk/air-bridge-maintenance-passenger-fare-partial-refund/|title=AIR-BRIDGE MAINTENANCE|date=24 April 2014|work=Press release|publisher=Falkland Islands Government|access-date=26 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140920233607/http://www.falklands.gov.fk/air-bridge-maintenance-passenger-fare-partial-refund/|archive-date=20 September 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> Up to 2022, they flew to and from [[RAF Brize Norton]] in Oxfordshire, with a refuelling stop at [[Cape Verde]] because the runway at [[RAF Ascension Island]] was closed.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/news/55978-ascension-island-closed-to-heavy-aircraft-until-20192020 |title=Ascension Island closed to heavy aircraft until 2019/2020 |publisher=ch-aviation.com |access-date=26 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170518051742/https://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/news/55978-ascension-island-closed-to-heavy-aircraft-until-20192020 |archive-date=18 May 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/ascension-island-runway-may-not-be-repaired-until-2022/|title=Ascension Island runway may not be repaired until 2022|date=13 August 2019|newspaper=UK Defence Journal|access-date=1 August 2021}}</ref> With the opening of one side of the runway at Ascension in 2022, normal flights could resume. Repairs to both sides of the runway at Ascension Island were fully completed in Spring of 2023.<ref name="halfway">{{Cite web |last=Cisneros |first=Mila |date=2022-03-02 |title=Atlantic runway repair reaches halfway point |url=https://www.afimsc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2949186/atlantic-runway-repair-reaches-halfway-point/ |access-date=2022-10-05 |website=[[Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center]] |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Cisneros |first=Mila |date=2023-05-10 |title=AFIMSC completes largest runway construction project in years |url=https://www.eglin.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3391110/afimsc-completes-largest-runway-construction-project-in-years/ |access-date=2023-05-14  |website=[[Eglin Air Force Base]] |language=en-US}}</ref>

On 2 March 2012, the [[President of Argentina|Argentinian President]] [[Cristina Fernández de Kirchner]] called for [[Aerolíneas Argentinas]] flights to [[Buenos Aires]] to replace [[LATAM Airlines]] flights to [[Chile]]. The idea of flights to Argentina was not supported on the islands, because this might result in Argentina having a monopoly on commercial flights and controlling all commercial air access.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2012/mar/02/falklands-argentina-direct-flights | location=London | work=The Guardian | first=Uki | last=Goni | title=Argentine president calls for direct flights from Falklands to Buenos Aires | date=2 March 2012 | access-date=17 December 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160924132257/https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2012/mar/02/falklands-argentina-direct-flights | archive-date=24 September 2016 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-argentina-britain-falklands-idUSLNE82100520120302 | work=Reuters | title=Argentina wants its airline to fly to Falklands | date=2 March 2012 | access-date=1 July 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140918043720/http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/03/02/uk-argentina-britain-falklands-idUSLNE82100520120302 | archive-date=18 September 2014 | url-status=live }}</ref>

On 2 April 2012, [[Uruguay]]an company [[Air Class Líneas Aéreas]] gained permission from the Uruguayan Ministry of Defence to start a commercial flight to the Falkland Islands.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.mercopress.com/2012/04/02/green-light-for-uruguayan-flight-to-falklands-argentine-ambassador-says-it-s-not-commercially-viable|title=Green light for Uruguayan flight to Falklands; Argentine ambassador says it's not commercially viable|work=MercoPress|access-date=15 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120605205848/http://en.mercopress.com/2012/04/02/green-light-for-uruguayan-flight-to-falklands-argentine-ambassador-says-it-s-not-commercially-viable|archive-date=5 June 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Scheduled===
<!-- Please use only independent sources. The airport and the airline itself are not independent sources. -->
{{Airport-dest-list
|[[LATAM Chile]]|[[Presidente Carlos Ibáñez del Campo International Airport|Punta Arenas]],<ref name="Getting Here">{{cite web |title=Getting Here |url=https://www.falklandislands.com/plan-your-trip/getting-here |publisher=Falkland Islands Tourist Board |access-date=18 August 2025}}</ref> [[Piloto Civil Norberto Fernández International Airport|Rio Gallegos]],<ref>{{cite web |title=LATAM Airlines Faces New Travel Chaos as Four Flights Cancelled, Six Delayed Across Santiago, Punta Arenas, Mount Pleasant and Rio Gallegos, Here is the New Update |url=https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/latam-airlines-faces-new-travel-chaos-as-four-flights-cancelled-six-delayed-across-santiago-punta-arenas-mount-pleasant-and-rio-gallegos-here-is-the-new-update/ |website=Travel and Tour World |date=16 August 2025}}</ref> [[Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport|Santiago de Chile]]<ref name="Getting Here"/>
}}

===Unscheduled===
{{Airport-dest-list
|[[FIGAS]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.fig.gov.fk/figas/ |title=Figas - Figas |access-date=18 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190518002438/http://www.fig.gov.fk/figas/ |archive-date=18 May 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="FITB">{{Cite web |url=https://www.falklandislands.com/visitor-information/figas-falkland-islands-government-air-service-p678561 |title=FIGAS (Falkland Islands Government Air Service) |last=Falkland Islands Tourist Board |access-date=18 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190518163658/https://www.falklandislands.com/visitor-information/figas-falkland-islands-government-air-service-p678561 |archive-date=18 May 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>| [[Port Stanley Airport|Stanley]], [[List of airports in the Falkland Islands|other settlements]] on the Falklands
}}

==Climate data==

{{Weather box
| location = RAF Mount Pleasant, 1999–2012
| metric first = yes
| single line = yes
| Jan high C = 15.1
| Feb high C = 14.7
| Mar high C = 13.0
| Apr high C = 9.8
| May high C = 7.0
| Jun high C = 4.9
| Jul high C = 4.3
| Aug high C = 5.5
| Sep high C = 7.4
| Oct high C = 10.1
| Nov high C = 12.0
| Dec high C = 14.0
| year high C = 9.8
| Jan mean C = 10.9
| Feb mean C = 10.6
| Mar mean C = 9.3
| Apr mean C = 6.8
| May mean C = 4.5
| Jun mean C = 2.7
| Jul mean C = 2.2
| Aug mean C = 3.0
| Sep mean C = 4.4
| Oct mean C = 6.4
| Nov mean C = 7.9
| Dec mean C = 9.7
| year mean C = 6.5
| Jan low C = 6.6
| Feb low C = 6.6
| Mar low C = 5.5
| Apr low C = 3.7
| May low C = 2.1
| Jun low C = 0.5
| Jul low C = 0.1
| Aug low C = 0.5
| Sep low C = 1.3
| Oct low C = 2.7
| Nov low C = 3.9
| Dec low C = 5.5
| year low C = 3.3
| Jan precipitation days = 23
| Feb precipitation days = 21
| Mar precipitation days = 23
| Apr precipitation days = 24
| May precipitation days = 26
| Jun precipitation days = 26
| Jul precipitation days = 25
| Aug precipitation days = 24
| Sep precipitation days = 21
| Oct precipitation days = 21
| Nov precipitation days = 23
| Dec precipitation days = 23
| source 1 = WeatherSpark<ref name="WeatherSpark">{{cite web |url=https://weatherspark.com/averages/28800/Falkland-Islands-East-Falkland |title=Average Weather For Falkland Islands|publisher=WeatherSpark |access-date=11 May 2016 }}</ref>
| date = May 2016
| source = 
}}

==See also==
* [[List of Royal Air Force aircraft squadrons]]
* [[Mare Harbour]]
* [[Military of the Falkland Islands]]

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
* [https://www.raf.mod.uk/our-organisation/stations/mount-pleasant-complex/ Official website]
* [https://www.aidu.mod.uk/aip/pdf/ad/EGYP-Mount-Pleasant-Combined.pdf UK Military Aeronautical Information Publication – Mount Pleasant (EGYP)]

{{Royal Air Force stations}}
{{Falkland Islands topics}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mount Pleasant}}
[[Category:Airports in the Falkland Islands|Mount Pleasant]]
[[Category:Military of the Falkland Islands]]
[[Category:Royal Air Force stations|Mount Pleasant]]
[[Category:East Falkland]]
[[Category:1985 establishments in the Falkland Islands]]
[[Category:Military airbases established in 1985]]