Mariano “Tucu” Velasco was one of the young Argentine A-4B Skyhawk pilots who fought in the Falklands War. He was a member of the 3rd Naval Fighter and Attack Squadron and flew extremely risky missions against the British fleet, always at very low altitude to avoid radar detection and surviving intense anti-aircraft fire.

He participated in support and attack sorties in the San Carlos Strait, where the British defenses were particularly strong. On each mission, he had to take off with a maximum payload, reach the limit of his fuel, and execute quick and precise attacks before returning, with very little margin for error. Despite the adverse conditions, he carried out his missions with discipline and courage, and is remembered for his poise, his skill at low-level flying, and his commitment to his comrades. His performance remains one of the most outstanding examples of the effort and bravery of Argentine pilots during the conflict.