Peace broke out in the South Atlantic on 14 June 1982; such a relief that the bloodshed was to cease. However the work of the trawlers of the 11th Mine Counter Measures Squadron (11MCM) still needed to be done. Notwithstanding the variety of tasks 11MCM had undertaken to date, the squadron was formed to clear minefields and it was clear that the enemy had sewn sea mines that needed to be cleared.
The five trawlers that made up 11MCM were ordered to Stanley, the capital of the Falkland Islands. The Squadron was in Stanley in time for the service to commemorate peace in Christ Church Cathedral and to witness a flypast of British aircraft prior to ships starting to return to the UK.
Thereafter mine clearance operations off Stanley commenced. The minefield had been accurately charted by the enemy. This enabled 11MCM to rapidly locate and sweep the mines. The mines were British made, therefore the techniques to sweep and dispose of them were known. The mines were definitely there, as this picture confirms.
As many of task force ships headed home. The Squadron continued with its task and listened to the deliberations as to the future of 11MCM. There were discussions as to whether to leave some of the trawlers in the South Atlantic to support British Forces that were to remain. Of course everyone was hoping to be sent home.