Typhoon jets continue to launch from RAF Akrotiri on the island of Cyprus to conduct sorties against terrorist group Daesh.
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.
A Typhoon jet has launched from RAF Akrotiri. The UK is continuing to combat Daesh in Iraq and eastern Syria as part of the international coalition against the group. pic.twitter.com/B27eYGhPsw
— George Allison (@geoallison) October 2, 2022
Secretary of State for Defence Ben Wallace was quoted as saying last year:
“The British Armed Forces, alongside our Iraqi and Coalition partners, continue to root out Daesh terrorists from where they hide. The UK is committed to defeating Daesh. This operation will prevent the terrorist group and its toxic ideology from regaining a foothold in Iraq and reduce its capability to coordinate attacks around the world.”
In June 2021, the Royal Navy deployed a carrier strike group, UK Carrier Strike Group 21, centred around the aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth to support anti-Daesh operations. A joint force of RAF and US Marine Corps F-35B aircraft began launching combat sorties over Syria from the aircraft carrier whilst in the eastern Mediterranean. Airstrikes were confirmed by the United States Naval Institute.
In December 2021, an RAF Typhoon shot down a hostile drone which posed a threat to Coalition forces at the Al-Tanf military base in Southern Syria. It was the RAF’s first air-to-air engagement in combat conducted by a Typhoon. An ASRAAM short-range air-to-air missile was used.
What is Operation Shader?
Operation Shader began on the 9th of August 2014, when the Royal Air Force began a series of humanitarian air aid drops onto Mount Sinjar in Northern Iraq.
The air drops were ordered following the genocide of the Yazidi people and other ethnic minorities by Daesh in Northern Iraq, which had led to them fleeing onto the mountainside to escape Daesh.
Following the conclusion of the aid drops, the operation quickly changed to become the UK element in the US-led coalition that began the campaign to destroy Daesh. Based out of Cyprus, the Royal Air Force continues to survey and strike targets in Iraq and Syria as part of the Global Coalition under the banner of Op SHADER.
You can read more about the operation here.
Just finished reading ‘Typhoon’ by Wing Commander Mike Sutton. About life on 1 (F) Sqn RAF and, in particular, almost half dedicated to the squadron’s detachment to RAF Akrotiri in 2015, and the fight against ISIS. Very detailed accounts of operations. Couldn’t put it down. Thoroughly recommended.
Great aircraft Typhoon- one of the best multirole aircraft ever conceived. We could do with some more really. Especially if we are upping defence budget to £100 billion a year.
We will see if and when that happens. Economics doesn’t look like it’s the truss governments strong point🙈 Personally I don’t see it. Perhaps all typhoons will get fully upgraded. If money was available in 2028-2030, 24 aircraft ordered, delivery 2032-35. It doesn’t fit in with tempest etc. I would prefer to see tempest increased, aircrew training increased, a quicker buy of F35b (block 4 preferably), drone, wingman development/purchase, couple of E7 wedgetail, 3 more P8 and if needed some transports. Spear 3 speeded up and the electronic version funded. If there’s anything left some small satellites launched from the… Read more »
The problem is you can’t increase timeline of Tempest to much you need to mature the tech for a 6th gen fighter otherwise it’ll be a 5.5 gen. We do have a gap in production between Typhoon and Tempest and its a big one of 8-10 years
Interesting flight path. Looks like it flies through both Israeli and Jordanian airspace.
Why is RAF Akrotiri described as a Joint base? It surely only has RAF assets and personnel.
All three services use Akrotiri.
Obviously, I’m not talking about the composition of transiting passengers. Which RN and Army units/HQs are based there?
Extract from the RAF website.
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.
Hi Graham, these are either tri service or have army elements. Cyprus Service Support Unit, DET Cyprus Joint Police Unit, DET 32 Reg RA (for Watchkeeper training ) Cyprus Joint Adventurous Training Centre ( At Cape Gata, Akrotiri Mole, but within Akrotiri SBA. 417 Troop RLC was there too with RCL/RSC/RRC but unsure now. DET JSSU Cyprus ( on coast within SBA ) Also bear in mind the “base” is a vast area that does not just include the airfield but includes the Salt Lake Site where there are numerous MoD/Joint area communications and other infrastructure. It is a “Joint… Read more »
Hi Daniele, that makes sense to me now. Many thanks.
Far from it.
It’s the unsinkable aircraft carrier of the Mediterranean for the last few years. USA have used it among others.
It’s one of the most important bases in recent times.
Hi mate, I went there a few times when I was stationed in Cyprus in ’81 (UNFICYP, Nicosia). I just remember Akrotiri being an RAF base with no RN or Army units/HQs being there.
Episkopi was the WSBA army garrison, which was next door but not on the RAF Akrotiri site itself.
I thought it worked that the RAF and army have the separate sites. In today’s joined up ops they must be at the site.
I know the USA sometimes run a U2 out of the base.
Showing your age there with a visit in 1981! 😂😂😂
My age is a source of amazement to me as well! I am now 66 and served from 1975 – 2009.
My experience is that very few military sites are Joint (which originally meant tri-service but seems to now be used for just 2 x services as well (2 services working together used to be called Combined).
I had not been aware until Daniele updated me that there were army and joint units operating within the RAF Akrotiri footprint, thus justifying its categorisation as a PJOB and so coming under PJHQ.
Dhekila and Episkopi are predominantly Army.
Akrotiri is predominantly RAF.
Troodos and Ayios Nikolios are tri service, though most posts being Army/RAF I suspect.
Troodos “retained site” has the “RAF” moniker as it includes the RAF Radar at Mt Olympus which is next door.
Is there much call for Cyprus wanting the land back? What is the deal that the uk gets these sites anyway?
The SBA were agreed as part of independence, of course with US pressure. I know there were environmental protests at the construction of some of the radio communications at the Salt Lake, one of HM forces largest such sites. There are all sorts of antenna there, HF, and OTH PLUTO 1 & 2 arrays which are SIGINT systems. Lots of other SIGINT stuff at Ayios Nikolios, Troodos, Episkopi, Taurus, Pusher DF arrays, SATCOM, and the other part of PLUTO array. The very reason why the UK would be absolute MUGS to give them up given the strategic location and the… Read more »
Cyprus being as strategically important nowadays as Malta was during WW2.
The stock photo accompanying this article. What weaponry is the Typhoon carrying. It looks like four different weapons.
From Wingtip to Fuselage ASRAAM,Brimstone,Paveway IV then finally Meteor.
I will second that. Funny no targeting pod in the centre? Or a 3rd fuel tank.
I wonder how much of a difference it makes running the aircraft with 2 wing tanks instead of 3.
Undoubtedly in the UK we have some of the very best fighter pilots in the world. We must head towards unmanned aerial vehicles and allow the very best to be better. Flying by the seat of your pants is a gift that we should not waste by waiting for tomorrow to arrive.