April 9, 1982 – Argentine/UK: Situation Update
Top Secret CIA Situation Update
This CIA document from April 9th, issued a week after Argentine forces occupied the Islands and days after elements of the British task force left their bases, contains intelligence information on the location of both Argentine aircraft in Port Stanley and British aircraft on the US owned airfields of the Ascension Islands.
"[A] military clash is possible early next week… [eight lines excised] …the Argentines are reportedly lengthening the air strip in Port Stanley to accommodate A-4, MIRAGE, PUCARA, and C-130 aircraft and reinforcing the island with additional troops and air defense equipment…" [Two lines excised]
The intelligence further states that British "aircraft have insufficient range to fly cargo from the Ascension Islands to Port Stanley and as a result, the RAF is considering alternative air routes which would include refueling stops at several US airfields, Tahiti, Easter Island and Chile."
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