Medical support to Operation CORPORATE

Abstract This article describes the medical support to Operation CORPORATE, and is derived from a range of sources, including surgical operative logbooks, journals and contemporaneous official reports. Eight hundred and fifty-five surgical procedures were performed by deployed medical units between 14 May and 13 July 1982 in support of Op CORPORATE. The rate peaked on the busiest day, 12 June 1982, when 86 operations were performed. The vast majority of operations were wound management procedures, although 20 laparotomies, four thoracotomies and six craniotomies were also performed. The four forward Role 2 (R2) surgical facilities at Ajax Bay, Teal Inlet, Fitzroy and on board SS CANBERRA collectively performed 354 operations. Argentine and British casualties were evacuated from the area of operations on board three Argentine vessels and three British HECLA-class survey ships. Between them, HMSs HECLA, HYDRA and HERALD made a total of nine 1000-NM journeys between the Falkland Islands and Montevideo, Uruguay, caring for a total of 601 patients. From Montevideo, British casualties were transferred by RAF VC-10 back to the UK. Reflection on how a previous generation supported this operation may inform decision-making when similar challenges are faced in the future.