in 1982 the british task force used ascension island as a staging post during the falklands war. the royal air force deployed a fleet of avro vulcan bombers and handley page victor tankers at the airfield. vulcans launched the opening shots of the british offensive from ascension in operation black buck. the raf also used the base to supply the task force. because of the increase in air traffic during the war, wideawake, with up to 400 movements of all types each day, was one of the busiest airfields in the world for a short period. the royal navy's fleet stopped at ascension for refuelling on the way. following the war, the british retained an increased presence on the island, establishing raf ascension island, and providing a refuelling stop for the regular airlink between raf brize norton in oxfordshire, and raf mount pleasant in the falkland islands.