Ascention Island
Ascension Island is an island in the South Atlantic Ocean, a dependency of Saint Helena.
The United States maintains missile tracking sites on the island.
The island served as a refueling station for the British fleet during the Falklands War.
The capital is Georgetown.
It is home to Wideawake Airbase, built by the Americans with the intention to land NASA space shuttles. Wideawake is also used by the RAF as a bridge to the Falkland Isles.
In 1982 when Argentine forces invaded the Falklands, Ascension Island proved essential to British forces in their efforts to retake the islands from Argentina. Wideawake airfield became the busiest airport in the world as the RAF flew in supplies to aid the Task Force. A squadron of RAF Harriers was based on the island to repel any possible Argentine attack.
There is no native population in Ascension Island.
It is likely the island was named after the day of its discovery.
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Referenced By
1982 | British territories
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