Pablo Carballo
Encyclopedia
Commodore Pablo Marcos Rafael Carballo (b. 11 december 1948 Buenos Aires
) is a retired member of the Argentine Air Force - the Fuerza Aérea Argentina
(FAA) - who fought in the 1982 Falklands War
( ) where he participated in actions that led to the sinking of three Royal Navy
ships. He was awarded with the highest national military decoration: the Argentine Nation to the Heroic Valour in Combat Cross
.
in 1971. In 1972, he graduated as a fighter pilot in the 4th Air Brigade ( ) at El Plumerillo, Mendoza
flying Morane-Saulnier MS-760 Paris and North American F-86 Sabres. He was then assigned as a cadet instructor of the Cordoba Flying School.
In 1979, he was assigned to the 5th Air Brigade ( ), Villa Reynolds, San Luis Province
to fly A-4B Skyhawks
where he was promoted from section leader to brigade chief of operations. He then served on 6th Air Brigade ( ) at Tandil
flying Fingers
and Mirage III becoming the squadron chief.
s. The unit deployed to the southern airfield Puerto Santa Cruz
map and airbase Rio Gallegos in Santa Cruz Province
when hostilities broke out.
He took part in the following missions: ( showing: approximate local time | Aircraft | Call signal )
These aircraft provided outstanding performance and availability even in the harsh operating conditions of the South Atlantic with most of them returning from missions with some form of battle damage and were patched up and pressed back into service within matter of hours. Because of this, pilots used to change airframes between sorties.
In spite of using two 295-gallon drop tank
s they needed aerial refueling
twice during missions. The ordnance used during the conflict were one British-made 1000 lb Mk 17 bomb or four Spanish-made 500 lb retarding tail Expal-Explosivos Alaveses (named BRP). American 500 lb retarding tail Mark 82 bomb
s ("Snake Eye") were also available but used infrequently. The aircraft were also armed with two 20 mm cannons
but without any air-to-air missile
, Radar warning receiver
or chaff for self-defence.
, before becoming Director of INAC ( ), the Argentine civil aviation school
He retired from the Air Force on April 2, 2001 as a Commodore (USAF
equivalent: Colonel
and RAF
equivalent: Group Captain
)
As of 2006, he was professor of the Flying School at Cordoba
Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires is the capital and largest city of Argentina, and the second-largest metropolitan area in South America, after São Paulo. It is located on the western shore of the estuary of the Río de la Plata, on the southeastern coast of the South American continent...
) is a retired member of the Argentine Air Force - the Fuerza Aérea Argentina
Argentine Air Force
The Argentine Air Force is the national aviation branch of the Armed Forces of the Argentine Republic. , it had 14,606 military and 6,854 civilian staff.-History:...
(FAA) - who fought in the 1982 Falklands War
Falklands War
The Falklands War , also called the Falklands Conflict or Falklands Crisis, was fought in 1982 between Argentina and the United Kingdom over the disputed Falkland Islands and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands...
( ) where he participated in actions that led to the sinking of three Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
ships. He was awarded with the highest national military decoration: the Argentine Nation to the Heroic Valour in Combat Cross
Argentine Nation to the Heroic Valour in Combat Cross
Argentine Nation to the Heroic Valour in Combat Cross is the highest national military decoration in Argentina.The decoration consists of a silver cross pattée bearing the Coat of arms of Argentina in gold, suspended from a chest ribbon of equal light blue-white-light blue stripes.Recipients of...
.
Career
Ensign Carballo graduated as a pilot in the 37th class of Escuela de Aviación Militar (Military Flying School) of the FAA at CórdobaCórdoba, Argentina
Córdoba is a city located near the geographical center of Argentina, in the foothills of the Sierras Chicas on the Suquía River, about northwest of Buenos Aires. It is the capital of Córdoba Province. Córdoba is the second-largest city in Argentina after the federal capital Buenos Aires, with...
in 1971. In 1972, he graduated as a fighter pilot in the 4th Air Brigade ( ) at El Plumerillo, Mendoza
Mendoza, Argentina
Mendoza is the capital city of Mendoza Province, in Argentina. It is located in the northern-central part of the province, in a region of foothills and high plains, on the eastern side of the Andes. As of the , Mendoza's population was 110,993...
flying Morane-Saulnier MS-760 Paris and North American F-86 Sabres. He was then assigned as a cadet instructor of the Cordoba Flying School.
In 1979, he was assigned to the 5th Air Brigade ( ), Villa Reynolds, San Luis Province
San Luis Province
San Luis is a province of Argentina located near the geographical center of the country . Neighboring provinces are, from the north clockwise, La Rioja, Córdoba, La Pampa, Mendoza and San Juan.-History:...
to fly A-4B Skyhawks
A-4 Skyhawk
The Douglas A-4 Skyhawk is a carrier-capable ground-attack aircraft designed for the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps. The delta winged, single-engined Skyhawk was designed and produced by Douglas Aircraft Company, and later McDonnell Douglas. It was originally designated the A4D...
where he was promoted from section leader to brigade chief of operations. He then served on 6th Air Brigade ( ) at Tandil
Tandil
-Place name:The name of the city comes from the Mapuche words tan , and lil . It is probably a reference to the Piedra Movediza , a large boulder which stood seemingly miraculously balanced on the edge of a rocky foothill. The Moving Stone toppled on February 29, 1912, and split into two pieces at...
flying Fingers
IAI Nesher
The Israel Aircraft Industries Nesher is the Israeli version of the Dassault Mirage 5 multi-role fighter aircraft...
and Mirage III becoming the squadron chief.
Falklands War
In 1982 Captain Carballo was section leader at 5th Air Brigade flying A-4B SkyhawkA-4 Skyhawk
The Douglas A-4 Skyhawk is a carrier-capable ground-attack aircraft designed for the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps. The delta winged, single-engined Skyhawk was designed and produced by Douglas Aircraft Company, and later McDonnell Douglas. It was originally designated the A4D...
s. The unit deployed to the southern airfield Puerto Santa Cruz
Puerto Santa Cruz
Puerto Santa Cruz is a town and municipality in Santa Cruz Province in southern Argentina....
map and airbase Rio Gallegos in Santa Cruz Province
Santa Cruz Province (Argentina)
Santa Cruz is a province of Argentina, located in the southern part of the country, in Patagonia. It borders Chubut province to the north, and Chile to the west and south. To the east is the Atlantic Ocean...
when hostilities broke out.
He took part in the following missions: ( showing: approximate local time | Aircraft | Call signal )
- 1 May 17:30 : C-215 Flight TruenoThunderThunder is the sound made by lightning. Depending on the nature of the lightning and distance of the listener, thunder can range from a sharp, loud crack to a long, low rumble . The sudden increase in pressure and temperature from lightning produces rapid expansion of the air surrounding and within...
. In their first ever combat mission four A-4B mistakenly attacked the ELMAEmpresa Líneas Marítimas ArgentinasEmpresa Líneas Marítimas Argentinas was an Argentine cargo shipping line formed in 1960.-History:It was dismantled during the 1990s as part of president Carlos Menem's 1990s state reform laws...
cargo ship Formosa near Port Stanley in a friendly fireFriendly fireFriendly fire is inadvertent firing towards one's own or otherwise friendly forces while attempting to engage enemy forces, particularly where this results in injury or death. A death resulting from a negligent discharge is not considered friendly fire...
incident; fortunately without casualties. The ship returned to the mainland carrying a 500 lb unexploded bombUnexploded ordnanceUnexploded ordnance are explosive weapons that did not explode when they were employed and still pose a risk of detonation, potentially many decades after they were used or discarded.While "UXO" is widely and informally used, munitions and explosives of...
. - 21 May 13:00 : C-204 Flight MulaMuleA mule is the offspring of a male donkey and a female horse. Horses and donkeys are different species, with different numbers of chromosomes. Of the two F1 hybrids between these two species, a mule is easier to obtain than a hinny...
. Two A-4B entered San Carlos WaterSan Carlos WaterNot to be confused with the San Carlos River.San Carlos Water is a bay/fjord on the west coast of East Falkland, facing onto the Falkland Sound.-Name:...
. "Mula 2" (Pilot Ensign Carmona) attacked an unknown ship, having expended his ordnance, Carballo ordered him to return to base. Carballo continued alone and attacked HMS ArdentHMS Ardent (F184)HMS Ardent was a Royal Navy Type 21 frigate. Built by Yarrow Shipbuilders Ltd, Glasgow, Scotland. She was completed with Exocet launchers in 'B' position...
straddling her with two bombs, both of which failed to explode. - 23 May 13:30 : C-228 Flight Nene. Four A-4B attacked HMS AntelopeHMS Antelope (F170)HMS Antelope was a Type 21 frigate of the Royal Navy that participated in the Falklands War. Her keel was laid down 23 March 1971 by Vosper Thornycroft in Woolston, Southampton, England. Budget costs for this class were £3.5 million but actual costs exceeded £14 million...
. Carballo's plane was damaged by a Sea Cat missileSea Cat missileSea Cat was a British short-range surface to air missile system intended to replace the ubiquitous Bofors 40 mm gun aboard warships of all sizes. It was the world's first operational shipboard point-defence missile system and was designed so that the Bofors guns could be replaced with minimum...
while on his bombing run, so he broke off from the attack and returned safely to Rio Gallegos. Two unexploded bombs hit the ship after the attack, one of which detonated while being defused and the ship was lost. - 25 May 15:20 : C-225 Flight VulcanoVulcan (mythology)Vulcan , aka Mulciber, is the god of beneficial and hindering fire, including the fire of volcanoes in ancient Roman religion and Roman Neopaganism. Vulcan is usually depicted with a thunderbolt. He is known as Sethlans in Etruscan mythology...
Two A-4B (flying with Lt Carlos Rinke) attacked HMS BroadswordHMS Broadsword (F88)HMS Broadsword was the lead ship and first Batch 1 unit of the Type 22 frigates of the Royal Navy.-Service:While on sea trials, Broadsword was called into service as the command ship during the large rescue operation required after storms struck the 1979 Fastnet race.Broadsword took part in the...
which was providing anti-aircraft missile cover for HMS Coventry which itself was acting as a decoy to draw attacks away. Broadswords Sea Wolf missile system developed a technical fault and could not be fired at the Skyhawks. The bomb bounced off the sea passed through the ship damaging the frigate's communication systems, hydraulics and electrics services and shattering the nose of her Sea LynxWestland LynxThe Westland Lynx is a British multi-purpose military helicopter designed and built by Westland Helicopters at its factory in Yeovil. Originally intended as a utility craft for both civil and naval usage, military interest led to the development of both battlefield and naval variants...
helicopter before exploding without causing further damage. In the same action, another flight ( ZeusZeusIn the ancient Greek religion, Zeus was the "Father of Gods and men" who ruled the Olympians of Mount Olympus as a father ruled the family. He was the god of sky and thunder in Greek mythology. His Roman counterpart is Jupiter and his Etruscan counterpart is Tinia.Zeus was the child of Cronus...
flown by 1st Lt Velazco and Ensign Barrionuevo ) sank the destroyer HMS Coventry - 27 May 16:58 : Flight PókerPokerPoker is a family of card games that share betting rules and usually hand rankings. Poker games differ in how the cards are dealt, how hands may be formed, whether the high or low hand wins the pot in a showdown , limits on bet sizes, and how many rounds of betting are allowed.In most modern poker...
Two A-4B (again with Lt Rinke) struck ground targets at Ajax BayAjax BayAjax Bay is a settlement on East Falkland, in the Falkland Islands, It is on the north west coast, on the shore of San Carlos Water, a few miles from Port San Carlos. It was mainly a refrigeration plant, and was developed by the Colonial Development Corporation in the 1950s, which was also...
. Each aircraft carrying four 500 lb retarding bombs causing 5 deaths and 26 injuries. - 08 Jun : Flights DogoArgentine DogoThe Dogo Argentino is a large, white, muscular dog that was developed in Argentina primarily for the purpose of big-game hunting, including wild boar and puma; the breeder, Antonio Nores Martinez, also wanted a dog that would exhibit steadfast bravery and willingly protect its human companion to...
and MastínSpanish MastiffThe Spanish Mastiff, or Mastín Español is a large breed of dog, originating in Spain, originally bred to be a Livestock guardian dog and a guard dog whose purpose is to defend livestock from wolves and other predators...
with four A-4B each carrying three 500 lb retarding tail bombs attacked landing ships at Fitzroy. Carballo (and two other pilots) were forced to return to base when near to the target due to mechanical problems. A second wave of eight Grupo 4 A-4C ( Flights MazoMalletA mallet is a kind of hammer, usually of rubber,or sometimes wood smaller than a maul or beetle and usually with a relatively large head.-Tools:Tool mallets come in different types, the most common of which are:...
and YunqueAnvilAn anvil is a basic tool, a block with a hard surface on which another object is struck. The inertia of the anvil allows the energy of the striking tool to be transferred to the work piece. In most cases the anvil is used as a forging tool...
) were later deployed on this mission, with three shot down by Sea Harriers. - 12 June: C-221 Flight Paris. Two A-4B, Paris 2 ( Lt Rinke's plane) had a fire on departure and the mission was aborted.
Aircraft
The A-4P Skyhawk (called A-4B by the Argentines) were bought from the US Navy inventory in 1966 and at the time of the war were painted green/brown topsides with light blue undersides heavily faded colours. Yellows identity markings were also added during the conflict.These aircraft provided outstanding performance and availability even in the harsh operating conditions of the South Atlantic with most of them returning from missions with some form of battle damage and were patched up and pressed back into service within matter of hours. Because of this, pilots used to change airframes between sorties.
In spite of using two 295-gallon drop tank
Drop tank
In aeronautics, a drop tank is used to describe auxiliary fuel tanks externally carried by aircraft. A drop tank is expendable and often jettisonable...
s they needed aerial refueling
Aerial refueling
Aerial refueling, also called air refueling, in-flight refueling , air-to-air refueling or tanking, is the process of transferring fuel from one aircraft to another during flight....
twice during missions. The ordnance used during the conflict were one British-made 1000 lb Mk 17 bomb or four Spanish-made 500 lb retarding tail Expal-Explosivos Alaveses (named BRP). American 500 lb retarding tail Mark 82 bomb
Mark 82 bomb
The Mark 82 is an unguided, low-drag general-purpose bomb, part of the U.S. Mark 80 series. The explosive filling is tritonal.-Development and deployment:...
s ("Snake Eye") were also available but used infrequently. The aircraft were also armed with two 20 mm cannons
Colt Mk 12 cannon
The Colt-Browning Mk 12 was a 20 mm cannon widely used by the United States Navy after World War II.-Development:The Mk 12 was an advanced derivative of the wartime Hispano HS 404 that had been used on a variety of American and British fighter aircraft during World War II...
but without any air-to-air missile
Air-to-air missile
An air-to-air missile is a missile fired from an aircraft for the purpose of destroying another aircraft. AAMs are typically powered by one or more rocket motors, usually solid fuelled but sometimes liquid fuelled...
, Radar warning receiver
Radar warning receiver
Radar warning receiver systems detect the radio emissions of radar systems. Their primary purpose is to issue a warning when a radar signal that might be a threat is detected. The warning can then be used, manually or automatically, to evade the detected threat...
or chaff for self-defence.
Later career
He later became Chief of the Weapons Test Center ( ) at Cordoba and passed a Master on Strategy at the USAF Air War CollegeAir War College
The Air War College is a part of the United States Air Force's Air University, headquartered at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama. Air University's higher headquarters is Air Education and Training Command headquartered at Randolph Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. The Air War...
, before becoming Director of INAC ( ), the Argentine civil aviation school
He retired from the Air Force on April 2, 2001 as a Commodore (USAF
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
equivalent: Colonel
Colonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
and RAF
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
equivalent: Group Captain
Group Captain
Group captain is a senior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many other Commonwealth countries. It ranks above wing commander and immediately below air commodore...
)
As of 2006, he was professor of the Flying School at Cordoba
Publications
- 1985, Halcones sobre Malvinas (Hawks over the Falklands) ISBN 9509294071
- 1999, Dios Y Los Halcones (God and the Hawks) ISBN 987963361X
- 2005, Halcones de Malvinas (Hawks of the Falklands) ISBN 9872229309
External links
- British Video on HMS Ardent attack Fragment of Commodore Pablo Carballo talking at the National Library of Aeronautics, Buenos Aires, Argentina