Editing Operation Keyhole (section)

==Aftermath==

In March 1983, a UK spokesman said that on 19 December 1982, the research vessel, [[HMS Hecate (A137)|HMS ''Hecate'']], had discovered someone had been back to the base, had lowered the British flag, and raised the Argentinian flag in its place. The spokesman said: "We haven't a clue what went on and God only knows who it was—scrap metal merchants, someone in their cups (drunk) or the Argentine military". To prevent any attempt by Argentina to return to Thule Island, the base was later demolished, in February 1983, by crew from [[HMS Ariadne (F72)|HMS ''Ariadne'']] and the supply ship [[Tide-class replenishment oiler|RFA ''Tidespring'']]. The flagpole, two weather beacons, and a fully provisioned hut were left intact.<ref>{{cite web |title=A band of 'visitors' landed on a remote, uninhabited... |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1983/03/11/A-band-of-visitors-landed-on-a-remote-uninhabited/8073416206800/ |website=United Press International |access-date=23 September 2018 |date=11 March 1983}}</ref>