Overview

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The Station

RAF Akrotiri is home of the Cyprus Operations Support Unit which provides joint support to British Forces Cyprus and operations in the region to protect the UK's strategic interests.

RAF Akrotiri is an extremely busy Permanent Joint Operating Base that supports ongoing operations in the region as well as support for the Sovereign Base Areas on Cyprus. It is used as a forward mounting base for overseas operations in the Middle East and for fast jet training. 

RAF Akrotiri’s Griffin helicopters also play an important search and rescue function in collaboration with the Republic of Cyprus Police and National Guard Air Command.

Those living at RAF Akrotiri can apply for passes for guests visiting the Station via Sharepoint.

The peninsula is always ready

Connect with RAF Akrotiri

Commander

​Group Captain A Smolak BEng MDS, RAF Akrotiri Station Commander

Who's based here

Squadrons

84 Squadron

Units

RAF Akrotiri Voluntary band is the only voluntary band that is overseas. Based at RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus, it is made up of serving military, civil servants, dependants and expatriates from across the island.

Contact details

Rehearsal night

Monday - 19:00 - 21:00

How to join/ book

Please contact the Officer Commanding on the above contacts to book the band or enquire about joining.

History

RAF Akrotiri began on 1st July 1955 when 30 personnel were posted to the flat, dry, rocky scrubland on the windswept Akrotiri Peninsula.

Nicosia Airport was temporarily closed as a result of terrorist activity and the handling of the Island’s civil aviation was diverted to Akrotiri with a tented ‘civil airport reception centre' to match. An RAF Regiment Light Anti-Aircraft Wing was also brought in.

By the end of August 1956, Station strength had reached 260 officers and 2,864 other ranks, a massive increase in 12 months. It brought with it 1,430 personnel on the daily sick-parade, mainly a result of the over-crowding and insanitary conditions, as construction lagged behind the unforeseen demand for accommodation.

From its rough beginnings with caravans and mud tracks, the Station was laid out, roads made, hangars and some permanent buildings constructed. 

Following the withdrawal from east of Suez, the Station peaked in the 60s and 70s; Lightning, Vulcan, Hercules, Argosy, and Canberra aircraft and Whirlwind and Wessex helicopters all operated from RAF Akrotiri as permanently-based squadrons.

By the end of the 80s only the helicopters of 84 Squadron remained and the Station began its life as a training, forward operating and forward mounting base.

Key dates

1955   'Unit' established.

1963   The Princess Mary’s Hospital opened.

1986   Surprise attack by a group of terrorists with mortars, rocket-propelled grenades and small arms - three British dependants were wounded although damage was negligible.

2006   Over 2,000 UK citizens left Lebanon on 18 to 19 July. The evacuees were taken by boat to a reception centre at RAF Akrotiri.

2015   Four boats carrying 140 refugees came ashore at RAF Akrotiri marking the first time since the crisis began that people have landed directly on what is considered British sovereign soil.