7FP

7FP COA 2! FLT LT AIDAN HOUGHTON

We have taken the airfield back! TwentySix years after a permanent RAF Regiment unit left RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, 7 Force Protection Wing (FP Wg) have undertaken the first, enduring, specialist airfield defence deployment to Akrotiri in support of Operation TIMBERN. The deployment has been supported by 1 Sqn RAF Regiment one of the 7 Sqns that form the FP Wing. Prior to the deployment, protection and security had been provided by Army Resident Infantry Battalions based in Cyprus. This had been the case for the last decade. 7 FP Wg deployed to Akrotiri in late March 2022 with specialist Air FP personnel from 7 FP Wg Headquarters and over 100 specialist Dismounted Close Combat RAF Regiment Gunners and Officers from 1 Squadron. The Wing HQ was supported by 2 Tactical Police Flight, who have helped to assure the FP for Akrotiri, including the deployed Typhoon Detachment. This Air FP activity will continue a long history of providing FP to ensure that RAF air operations can continue in a safe and secure manner. The FP Force is now fully established in RAF Akrotiri and will ensure the protection of RAF and wider Defence assets based at the Station. The future remains unclear as ever, however, what is certain is that RAF Akrotiri will be protected to allow the continued projection of UK air power across the globe.