Overseas Stations

Question 1

RAF Gibraltar

Answer 1

1940s - staging post, supporting base for NATO exercises, contributes to maintenance of British Sovereignty of Gibraltar, no permanently stationed aircraft

Question 2

RAF Akrotiri

Answer 2

1940s - part of British Forces Cyprus, in 2014 aircraft were deployed in the intervention against ISIS used as a forward mounting base for ops in the Middle East

Question 3

RAF Ascension Island

Answer 3

1982 - used as air bridge from UK to Falkland Islands (4000 miles each way). Deter military agression against South Atlantic overseas territories. USAF are stationed at the base. Runway U/S, using Cape Verde until fixed

Question 4

RAF Mount Pleasant/Stanley

Answer 4

1982- initially to allow a fighter and transport facility. Used to strengthen the defence capacity of BFFI, now replaced with BFSAI

Question 5

RAF Al-Udeid

Answer 5

2005 - previously used to support Telic and Herrick. Currently used as a Middle Eastern base for the RAF as well as the HQ for RAF Contributions against ISIS