The 43rd anniversary of the Argentine Air Force's Baptism of Fire was commemorated
Defense Minister Luis Petri presided over the central ceremony commemorating the 43rd anniversary of the Argentine Air Force’s (FAA) Baptism of Fire, held at Morón Air Base. The event marks the FAA’s first day of combat during the South Atlantic Conflict in 1982. Joining the minister was the Chief of the Argentine Air Force General Staff, Brigadier Gustavo Javier Valverde.
On May 1, 1982, the FAA entered combat against the British task force approaching the Falkland Islands. On that day, and throughout the conflict until June 14, the Air Force carried out complex missions, often facing technological inferiority, yet demonstrating the skill and bravery of its pilots and support personnel. In total, 55 members of the FAA lost their lives during the war.
Addressing Malvinas War veterans, Petri stated they were commemorating “a date that is etched into our history with blood, courage, and patriotism,” which “embodies the Argentine Air Force’s love for the homeland and the dedication of the men and women who serve in it.”
The Defense Minister emphasized the current government’s commitment to reversing years of underinvestment in the military, conveying a message from President Javier Milei. He affirmed that the President instructed him to “honor and support our beloved Armed Forces at all times and in every place.” Petri added that this has been a core mission from the beginning of the administration, acknowledging the willingness of Argentina’s military personnel—“by air, by land, or by sea”—to defend the nation.
Speaking directly to the veterans, Petri recalled his participation in patriotic parades and expressed his gratitude for their defense of the homeland and their continued readiness to serve. He revisited the events of 1982, highlighting that Argentine pilots “took flight knowing they did so with more courage than resources, more resolve than technology.” He stressed the sacrifice of aviators who flew “with worn-out aircraft, but with undaunted spirit,” facing an uncertain future in defense of their country.
Petri evoked the intensity of aerial combat over the South Atlantic, where the pilots “did not hesitate, did not retreat, but pressed forward with courage and determination.” He described how they overcame obstacles “with dignity as their shield and duty as their compass,” flying aircraft such as the Mirage, A-4 Skyhawk, and Canberra—systems that spearheaded the FAA’s role in the conflict.
The minister also paid tribute to Brigadier General Ernesto Horacio Crespo, commander of the South Air Force during the war, describing him as “the strategist [...] who led with determination.” He quoted a statement attributed to Crespo about the unwavering commitment to defending the nation.
A key moment in the ceremony was the presentation of awards to technical personnel from the Peruvian Air Force. This recognition honored Peru’s support in 1982, which included the transfer of Dassault Mirage 5P aircraft to reinforce the FAA during the conflict. Petri highlighted this gesture, stating that “in those dark days, they extended a fraternal hand without asking for anything in return.” He added, “when the homeland calls, it doesn’t always do so with a familiar accent. Sometimes, it speaks through the voice of a brother helping us take flight.”
The ceremony featured a solemn reading of the names of the 55 FAA members who fell in combat, followed by a minute of silence. Aerial homage was paid with a flyover by a formation consisting of two Fokker F28s and a Lockheed C-130 Hercules.
Among the attending officials were the Chief of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Armed Forces, Brigadier General Xavier Julián Isaac; the Army Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Carlos Alberto Presti; the Navy Chief of Staff, Admiral Carlos María Allievi; the Military Bishop, Santiago Olivera; the Defense Ministry’s Chief of Staff, Luciana Carrasco; and the Commander General of the Peruvian Air Force, Air General Carlos Enrique Chávez Cateriano. Veterans, relatives of fallen personnel, and members of the Armed Forces were also present.
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