RAF Brize Norton’s newest aircraft, the Airbus A400M Atlas transport plane, is spreading its wings, making its first visit to RAF Akrotiri on Cyprus.
The plane will become operational with Brize Norton-based LXX (70) Squadron later this year. It is the first of what wil evetually be a 22-strong RAF fleet.
Wing Commander ‘Jellers’ Jardine, the officer commanding operations at the Cyprus base, said: “The A400M visit to RAF Akrotiri has been very useful in giving personnel exposure to the ground handling of this new RAF strategic transport aircraft.
“During its 24-hour stopover, a large section of station personnel familiarised themselves with the size and shape of the aircraft, with a view to developing our procedures to ensure we can fully support the aircraft in an operational role when it enters service.”
RAF Akrotiri, which is in one of the two British sovereign base areas on the Mediterranean island, has been a key staging post for RAF operations in both Iraq and Afghanistan since 2001.
Tornado strike jets based there are currently involved in operations against Islamic State extremists in Iraq.
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