From what I heard, the message sent to Mrs Thatcher was along the lines of "Of course, the United States will support the United Kingdom over Argentina if it really comes down to it, but the other side of that is, that it would really be best for America if Britain didn't have to ask."
A true alliance between two very close friends - please understand America really wants to maintain good relations with Argentina if we can but in the final analysis, the special relationship will trump all else. America did not want to throw away its cordial relationship with Argentina unless it had to - but if it had to, it would have.
Also worth mentioning from an historical point of view that during the Second World War when America was left with only one operational fleet carrier (USS Saratoga) in the Pacific after USS Hornet was sunk and USS Enterprise were heavily damaged, Britain lent the US HMS Victorious (which operated under the code name USS Robin) for nearly a year. I’m sure they reminded the US of that in 1982.
WOW. I just posted this about an hour ago and it got removed.
This was one of the worst kept secrets back in 1982 here in Washington D.C. and the rumor was that 1 of the following 3 of the following carriers out of Norfolk were considered, The Coral Sea, Saratoga and Independence as all could easily handle the U.K.’s Fleet of F-4s(that last flew off the Ark Royal in 1979) which were moved to the midway point and only needed a carrier.
Shocker here since this is what allies are suppose to do!
Bless you President Ronald Reagan.
Reagan ping
Yup, not much of a secret at the time.
That was the only carrier available that had (Brit made) Harriers on board and could support the Brits directly. We would have operated the Iwo and made it available for their Harriers.
Where does anyone think the Brits got nearly all their intel from?
Whom does anyone think the fuel for the Brit aircraft and ships came from?
Our subs were all over that theater.
They are a fellow NATO member. They were attacked. We were required by treaty to support them.