RFA Olmeda (A124)
# RFA Olmeda (A124)

RFA Olmeda (A124) was an Ol-class "fast fleet tanker" of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. The ship was renamed from Oleander after two years in operation.

In the last action of the Falklands War, Olmeda helped recapture the South Sandwich Islands.

## Background

The second of her class, Olmeda came into service in late 1965 as Oleander. As with its sister ships, Olmeda's early service was routine. However, in 1967, the ship had to be renamed from Oleander to Olmeda to avoid confusion with HMS Leander.

## Operational history

### 1973

In the Second Cod War, Olmeda supported Royal Navy ships twice.

### Falklands War

Olmeda saw extensive service during the Falklands War, being one of the first ships to head south. Olmeda refuelled numerous ships of the Task Force including HMS Hermes, HMS Invincible, and the SS Uganda.

After the Argentine surrender of the Falkland Islands, Olmeda, Yarmouth, Endurance and the tug Salvageman sailed to the South Sandwich Islands where Argentina had established a base in South Thule since 1976. Following a demonstration of Yarmouth's guns, the ten Argentine military personnel surrendered. Before leaving South Thule, Yarmouth was refueled by Olmeda on 21 June, which may have been the most southerly Underway replenishment in the history of the Royal Navy.

## Decommissioning

In 1993, the ship was decommissioned and sold for scrap. Breaking up commenced at Alang on 23 December 1994.

