RAF Chief Visits Allies And Personnel In Middle East And Cyprus

The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) has visited key allies and RAF personnel serving in the Middle East and Cyprus.

Air Chief Marshal Sir Michael Wigston made the visit to strengthen relationships with the UK's allies and coalition partners in the region, the RAF said.

He visited the RAF's 83 Expeditionary Air Group deployed at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar and 903 Expeditionary Air Wing at RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus, meeting RAF personnel involved in Operation Shader – the UK's mission against the so-called Islamic State, also known as Daesh, in Iraq and Syria.

Whilst at Al Udeid Air Base, he visited the US-led coalition’s Combined Air and Space Operations Centre where he saw how British personnel are contributing to the fight against Daesh.

During a stop-off in Saudi Arabia, Air Chief Marshal Wigston spoke with the Commander of the Royal Saudi Arabian Defence Force about the UK’s support and commitment to the region, the Air Force added.

In Oman, he was given a tour of the country's Military Technological College, whilst in Qatar, he also toured the Qatar Emiri Air Force's training facilities and met its first female fast jet pilot trainee.

Cover image: Air Chief Marshal Sir Michael Wigston visits personnel and allies in the Middle East and Cyprus (Picture: RAF).