RAF

RAF Typhoons Join Syrian Bombing Mission

RAF Marham Station Commander Richard Davies has said he is "absolutely confident" that there will be no civilian casualties as air strikes were launched over Syria.

MP's voted yesterday by a margin of 397 to 223 in favour of bombing raids in Syria targeting Daesh.

Following the vote strikes were swiftly carried out by two pairs of RAF GR4 Tornados from Akrotiri in Cyprus.

The Defence Secretary also announced six Typhoons would join the Tornados already stationed at the base.

The first two Typhoons are en-route to the island now having departed from the Scottish airbase RAF Lossiemouth.

Def Sec: We are doubling UK strike force against #Daesh by sending 2 Tornados & 6 Typhoons to @RoyalAirForce Akrotiri today.
— Ministry of Defence (@DefenceHQ) December 3, 2015

RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus forms part of the British sovereign bases situated on a peninsular in the eastern Mediterranean Sea.

It has played a key role in Operation Shader - the military intervention against (IS) in Iraq. Around 860 personnel are involved in the mission at RAF Akrotiri, according to the Ministry of Defence.

More From Forces TV: Stunning Footage Of Tornado GR4 Bomb Drop

Before the latest deployment of aircraft from the UK the station's hardware included eight Tornado GR4s and a Voyager refuelling aircraft. Additional support is provided by unmanned Predator and Reaper drones armed with Hellfire missiles.

The GR4s carry a range of munitions including 500lb Paveway IV guided bombs and precision-guided Brimstone missiles.

More From Forces TV: Tornado - Behind The Scenes In The Fight Against IS

The all-weather attack aircraft have already been attacking Daesh targets in Iraq since September of last year when MPs gave the green light for air strikes.

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