Four Argentine pilots arrived in Río Gallegos after completing a feat: flying aboard a single-engine plane from the mainland to the Malvinas Islands. The journey, which required months of planning and preparation, was a tribute to the fallen and a way of keeping alive the memory of the Malvinas issue for the sovereignty of Argentine territory.
The team, made up of Alberto Obejero, Roberto Cazes, Christian Peinemann and Juan Carlos Guarco , left from the Aeroclub in Río Gallegos towards Puerto Argentino. For several days, they visited historical and symbolic points, including trenches, remains of weapons and the Darwin Cemetery, where the heroes of the war rest.
One of the most moving moments of the trip was the visit to Darwin Cemetery. The pilots highlighted the mix of emotions felt when walking among the graves. “It is beautiful, but you are also overcome with deep sadness when you see the crosses and remember what happened there,” said one of the pilots.
Roberto Cazes , who had already made this trip in 2014, described the emotional burden of seeing the graves of former comrades. “It is a tribute to the true heroes who are there. Reliving that time is something very powerful for all of us,” he said, highlighting the respect and solemnity of the place.
The challenges of flight and planning
The feat was not without its challenges. The flight to the islands, carried out in a single-engine Cessna plane, involved long hours over the Atlantic Ocean, facing variable weather conditions and technical risks. “It is impressive when you are in the air, surrounded by 360 degrees of sea, and you start to see the islets on the horizon. That is when the strong emotions begin,” explained one of the pilots.
Christian Peinemann , a professional pilot with more than three decades of experience, recalled how he joined the group after meeting Alberto Obejero , the owner of the plane. “It was a team effort. Each one had a specific role, and we all worked with great commitment to achieve it,” said Peine, who also recalled the slides that his father had taken in the Malvinas in 1968, a memory that connected him with this territory since he was a child.
A local guide and the impact of the island community
During their stay on the islands, the pilots were guided by Sebastián, an Argentinean born in Quilmes who lives in Malvinas. Thanks to him, they were able to explore places inaccessible to most visitors, such as historic trenches and the kitchen of the 5th Marine Infantry Battalion, used during the last days of the war.
1 of 5 | Argentine pilots arrive from Malvinas to Rio Gallegos. PHOTO: LEANDRO FRANCO / LA OPINION AUSTRAL.
Regarding life in the Malvinas, the pilots observed that the local inhabitants maintain a high standard of living, with an orderly lifestyle and characteristics of English culture. “It is a quiet place, where the military base is completely separated from the town,” they explained.
A warm welcome in Rio Gallegos
Upon arrival at the Aeroclub of Río Gallegos, the pilots were received with honors by provincial and municipal officials, war veterans, the local community and the Santa Cruz Police Band. In addition, they highlighted the invaluable collaboration of the local Aeroclub, which provided logistical and human support for the success of this feat.
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