1982 1st May
Black Buck 1 Tanker Mission
Captains Victor K2 XL189 during the complex tanker operation supporting the first Black Buck raid.
Falklands War · permanent subject timeline
Operation Black Buck
Long-range Vulcan bomber missions against the Falklands. This page combines historical context with 8 matching records drawn directly from the World History Database Falklands War archive.
Historical context
Operation Black Buck: overview and significance
What happened?
Operation Black Buck comprised long-range RAF Vulcan missions flown from Ascension Island against targets in the Falklands, particularly Stanley airfield and Argentine radar positions. The missions required complex chains of Victor tanker aircraft.
Why was it important?
The raids were among the longest bombing missions attempted at the time and demonstrated Britain's ability to project air power over extreme distance. Their tactical effect remains debated, but they influenced Argentine airfield operations and strategic calculations.
World History Database records
Operation Black Buck timeline
The records below are selected from the 481-record Falklands War archive using this page's subject criteria and are ordered chronologically.
1982
1982 1st May
Black Buck 1 Tanker Support
Flies a Victor tanker deep into the refuelling sequence supporting Vulcan XM607 on Black Buck 1.
1982 1st May
Operation Black Buck
Operations against the Falklands open with the "Black Buck 1" attack on the airfield at Stanley
1982 1st May
Operation Black Buck
British Vulcans attack Stanley airfield.
1982 1st May
Operation Black Buck
Operations against the Falklands open with the "Black Buck 1" attack on the airfield at Stanley
1982 1st May
Operation Black Buck
Pilots the Vulcan bomber during Black Buck 1.
1982 4th May
Operation Black Buck
British forces begin bombarding Argentine positions around Stanley
1982 May
Air Force Cross
Receives the Air Force Cross for his role in the Black Buck 1 refuelling operation.
Editorial provenance
Sources and editorial review
Compiled and edited by World History Database
Historical context is editorial material; the chronology is generated from the World History Database Falklands War records.
Last reviewed: September 2026.
Reference points: Imperial War Museums · National Army Museum · The National Archives
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