RAF

Celebrating Sixty Years Of RAF Akrotiri

Britain's key base in Cyprus, RAF Akrotiri, turns 60 this year, and Forces Network reporter Simon Newton has been looking at its history. 
 
The base was first built in the mid-1950s to relieve pressure on the main Air Force station on the island, RAF Nicosia, which is now used by the UN's Peacekeeping Force on the island.
 
In recent years, however, Akrotiri has become the home of Op Shader - Britain's military intervention against Islamic State in Iraq. 
 
We take a look back at the base's colourful history.

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