RAF
The Giant Sky Tanker Helping Op Shader Reach Deep Into Enemy Territory
As world leaders continue their discussions in New York to try and find a solution to the civil war in Syria and to counter the threat of Islamic State, the tempo of operations in RAF Akrotiri, Britain's contribution to that US led coalition, remains as high as ever.
The Royal Air Force has been flying missions from Cyprus for 60 years, from Suez in the 1950s to the Gulf War.
While the US has a fleet of carriers in the Gulf, as yet Britain's fleet of Queen Elizabeth Class Carriers isn't operational which means this base in the Mediterranean remains a vital stepping stone for UK military operations in the Middle East.
While it's the Tornados actually striking ISIL targets on the ground, it's another aircraft based in RAF Akrotiri, the Voyager, which is allowing them to fly the 650 mile trip to Iraq to stay airbourne and to hit those targets.
Simon Newton has been allowed special access to Operation Shader, both on the ground and in the skies, at RAF Akrotiri.
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