S5 #081 SAS: Sea King Down

CONTENTThe guest today is Mark "Splash" Aston. Splash joined the Gloucester Regiment in 1964 as a teenager. He later passed selection for 22 SAS as a Colour Sergeant in the late 1970s joining Mountain Troop of D Squadron.  On this episode discuss his early army life, training for selection and the Falklands war in 1982 when his squadron was instrumental in key operations against Argentine forces. Splash took part in various missions during Op CORPORATE, including the landing on Fortuna Glacier, the successful capture of South Georgia, and the assault on Pebble Island airstrip. He was one of the survivors of the Sea King helicopter crash which claimed the lives of 22 fellow soldiers. Despite his injuries Splash refused medical evacuation and returned to the squadron to take part in further operations on Mount Kent and West Falkland. We also discuss his post war visits to the Falklands, what it was like to be an instructor at the International Long Range Recce Patrol School in Germany and why he wrote his book SAS: Sea King Down.  Splash's book choice on Desert Islands Dits is "The Warlord Chronicles" series by Bernard Cromwell. My choices are Splash's book "SAS: Sea King Down, The Extraordinary True Story Of The SAS At War In The Falklands" and "Across an Angry Sea: The SAS in the Falklands War" by Lt General Cedric Delves.WHERE TO GET OUR DESERT ISLAND DITS BOOK CHOICESMost of our book recommendations can be bought via the Unconventional Soldier Bookshop. 10% of each purchase supports the pod and helps independent book stores on line sales.  "BUY ME A COFFEE"If you want to support the podcast you can buy me a coffee here.SOCIAL MEDIAInstagram @the_unconventional_soldier_pod.Facebook @lateo82. Twitter @TheUCS473.Download these and other platforms via Link Tree.Email us: [email protected]. This episode brought to you in association with ISARR a veteran owned company. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.