RAF Akrotiri marks 70 years as Britain's immovable aircraft carrier in the Med

RAF Akrotiri is celebrating 70 years of service.

It was first established on 1 July 1955, when 30 personnel arrived at what was then a dry, windswept stretch of scrubland on the southernmost tip of Cyprus.

Seven decades later, the base is home to 4,000 service personnel and their families, and remains a cornerstone of British operations in the Middle East.

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Acting Station Commander Wing Commander Ade Mellors said: "It's held in very, kind of, romantic regard by many in the Armed Forces, mainly the RAF, because it's hosted so many operations as a staging post."

That role has continued through multiple conflicts and humanitarian operations, including evacuations from Lebanon in 2006 and air operations over Iraq and Syria in support of Operation Shader.

Culturally, Cyprus is European, but geographically it is in the Middle East, just off the coast of Africa, and its Mediterranean Sea location makes it strategically extremely important.

"It's kind of the immovable aircraft carrier," Wg Cdr Mellors added. "So this Tarmac, this base, is strategically very important."

RAF Akrotiri has also hosted decades of fighter training and exercises, including many years as the Red Arrows' home base.

Akrotiri is a British Sovereign Base, which means it is under UK jurisdiction – the base is considered British territory. 

Many Cypriot civilians have worked at RAF Akrotiri for decades, while for those in uniform, it continues to hold a special place.

"It's a gift in many regards. Whether you are here alone or with loved ones," Wg Cdr Mellors said

"We have a beach on the base. You know, where else has that? It's the largest overseas base.

"The community, quite frankly, is incredible."