Overseas Royal Air Force Stations

Despite the end of the Cold War, the requirement for the RAF to operate overseas has increased, owing to a far more complex world situation. Whether it be in response to an act of aggression, in support of the United Nations or to alleviate the affects of natural disasters, the RAF must maintain a flexible overseas presence in order to bring air power to bear in the most timely and effective manner possible.

For a list of our operational locations, please click here.

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RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus

The Sovereign Base Area (SBA) of South-Eastern Cyprus includes the airfield of Akrotiri, which was first opened in 1956. The RAF use the airfield as a staging post for transport aircraft, and as a temporary operating base for aircraft carrying out Armament Practice Camps. The RAF Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows, also use the airfield every year for their display work up. Permanently based at Akrotiri is No 84 Squadron who perform Search and Rescue duties as well as a support role for the UN peacekeeping forces on the island with Griffin helicopters.

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RAF Ascension Island

Situated approximately in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, and over 700 miles from its nearest neighbour, Ascension Island was used extensively as a staging base during the Falklands War. This is still the major role for the Station, which it performs for both the RAF and the USAF. Regular flights from RAF Brize Norton link the island to the UK, as does the six-weekly arrival of the MOD cargo and resupply vessels.

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RAF Gibraltar

The RAF station at Gibraltar forms part of Headquarters British Forces Gibraltar. Although aircraft are no longer stationed on 'The Rock', a variety of RAF aircraft make regular visits.

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RAF Unit Goose Bay, Canada

A team of RAF personnel is stationed at Goose Bay, a large military airfield in Labrador, to support RAF fast jet aircraft carrying out low level flying training over Labrador's vast snowy wastes. The fast jets are usually accompanied by VC10s, Tristars or Hercules aircraft, providing AAR or transport support. Use of Goose Bay reduces the volume of training undertaken over the UK and hence cuts down on jet noise disturbance.

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Mount Pleasant, Falkland Islands

The most recent purpose-built airfield in the RAF, Mount Pleasant was opened in 1984 to establish a fighter and transport presence in the Islands following the Falklands War. Currently based at Mount Pleasant are No 1435 Flight with 4 Tornado F3s, No 1312 Flight, with a single VC10 tanker and 1 Hercules C1, as well as No 78 Squadron with Chinook and Sea King helicopters. Ground units include No 7, 303 and 751 Signals Units and a Rapier detachment from the RAF Regiment.