Intrepid was put into
extended reserve in 1991, effectively removing her from active service. While in this state, she was used as a source of spares to maintain
Fearless.
Intrepid was finally withdrawn from service in August 1999.
Fearless was kept in service, and continued to be deployed in concert with until the end of 2002, when she too was withdrawn from service, ready for the to enter the fleet. The
Fearless class were the last steam-powered surface vessels in Royal Navy service.
1982 Falklands War ;
Fearless Sailed from Portsmouth on 6 April 1982 as part of
Operation Corporate Task Force. She carried the staff of Commodore Amphibious Warfare (COMAW)
Michael Clapp and the Commanding Officer of
3 Commando Brigade,
Brigadier Julian Thompson, acting as the afloat headquarters for planning and coordination of the
San Carlos landings. During the landings at San Carlos Water on 21–22 May, Fearless’ landing craft put ashore elements of 3 Commando Brigade and troops of 5 Infantry Brigade, establishing the beachhead that would drive the advance towards Port Stanley. On 8 June 1982, two of her LCVP landing craft (Foxtrot 4 and Foxtrot 7) rescued survivors from the frigate after it was struck by Argentine aircraft; Royal Marine Corporal Alan White earned a Task Force Commander's Commendation for rescuing 41 crew with Foxtrot 7, and Colour Sergeant Brian Johnston was posthumously awarded the
Queen's Gallantry Medal after his actions in Foxtrot 4. Fearless remained on station until the cessation of hostilities on 14 June 1982, then returned to Portsmouth after nearly three months away. ;
Intrepid Sailed from
Portland on 26 April 1982 following a rapid work‑up and joined the South Atlantic task group for amphibious operations. Between 26 April and 5 May, she carried Commando Headquarters and Royal Marines’ landing craft, rehearsing landings en route to
Ascension Island and then San Carlos Water.
Intrepid’s boats helped deploy beach reconnaissance teams on the night of 20–21 May to survey landing sites under cover of darkness. On 27 May, an
A-4B Skyhawk of Argentine Grupo 5 was damaged by 40mm Bofors fire from
Intrepid while over San Carlos Water and later crashed near
Port Howard. After the Argentine surrender on 14 June 1982, Intrepid remained in the islands to assist with the distribution of supplies. She sailed from San Carlos Water on 26 June 1982 and arrived back at Portsmouth on 14 July 1982. ==Ships==