Ballot opens for veterans’ flight to Falkland Islands

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The flight will see those chosen given the chance to be in the Falkland Islands over Remembrance weekend in November.

 

 

Once in the Falkland Islands, both veterans and bereaved families will be able to visit some of the sites from the Falklands War (Picture: MOD).

 

Veterans and the families of those who died during the Falkland Islands conflict are being invited to register for a balloted flight to the islands.

 

There will be 100 places on the flight, funded by the Ministry of Defence (MOD), with seats allocated to those eligible and a partner of their choice.

 

The flight will see those chosen the chance to be in the Falkland Islands over Remembrance Weekend in November.

 

Once in the Falkland Islands, they will be able to visit some of the sites from the Falklands conflict.

 

The Defence Secretary said the Falklands War saw the UK Armed Forces “defend the Falkland Islands from an illegal invasion and reminded the world that the United Kingdom will always protect its people”.

“I am delighted to offer veterans and relatives the opportunity to visit the land they and their loved ones fought so hard to liberate and witness the services held to remember their great sacrifice and those of their fallen comrades,” Ben Wallace said.

 

The final travelling party will represent the Royal Navy, the Royal Marines, the British Army, the Royal Air Force, the Royal Fleet Auxiliary and the Merchant Navy – all services from which service personnel died during the conflict.

 

Veterans who apply must be recipients of the South Atlantic Medal, while applicants who are bereaved next of kin must be related to recipients of the South Atlantic Medal.

 

The trip will also attendance at memorial services for those who died in the conflict, with the flight making up part of the MOD’s commemoration to mark 40 years since the Falkland conflict.