Dates: 1955 -
The history of RAF Akrotiri began on 1 July 1 1955 when the first 30 personnel posted to the ’Unit’ established themselves in the flat, dry, rocky scrubland on the windswept Akrotiri Peninsula. Nicosia Airport was temporarily closed as a result of terrorist activity and the handling of the island’s civil aviation was diverted to Akrotiri - with a tented ’civil airport reception centre to match. An RAF Regiment Light Anti-Aircraft Wing was also brought in. By the end of August 1956 Station strength had reached 260 officers and 2864 other ranks: a massive increase in 12 months. It brought with it 1430 personnel on the daily sick-parade, mainly a result of the over crowding and unsanitary conditions, as construction lagged behind the unforeseen demand for accommodation. From its rough beginnings with caravans and mud tracks, the Station was laid out, roads made, hangars and some permanent buildings constructed. Three new barrack blocks were opened allowing another 32 families onto the Station into formerly misappropriated married quarters.
Other intended married quarters were still in use as billets, Station Sick Quarters, the Education Centre, the Hospital and the NAAFI. A bank had opened for business and 4 wooden shacks served as shops.
A small theatre club was in existence and out along Ladies’ Mile, the Sailing Club had been formed. In its first 12 months as a functioning operational airfield, RAF Akrotiri had not only survived but had expanded and flourished. Although continuously affected by the EOKA troubles in one way or another and with more than a quarter of the year spent on a full war footing for the Suez Crisis, morale was high and the pioneer spirit was still strong.
The Present
Not much has changed operationally at RAF Akrotiri in recent years, but the only operational flying squadron which is permanently based at Akrotiri today is No 84 Squadron. No 34 Squadron RAF Regiment continued to serve on-island until 1996 when they moved back to the UK. Their place was taken by personnel from the resident Army infantry battalion (RIB). In 1986 one event dominated - on Sunday, 3 August , RAF Akrotiri suffered an attack by mortar and automatic fire. The Station responded by raising its security awareness to the high levels which are still obvious today. The Operations Centres (Ground and Air) maintain a constant watch in conjunction with the SBA Police - just in case. In 1988 a new command structure in Cyprus resulted in the closure of Air Headquarters and Headquarters Land Forces Cyprus, both based at Episkopi and instead the formation of a Joint Headquarters - British Forces Cyprus. Shortly afterwards, in 1989 Joint Units were also formed at Akrotiri, replacing single service Units such as 17 Ordnance Battalion (RAOC), 58 Squadron (RCT), 48 Cyprus.
Memories of RAF Akrotiri
Station Bands RAF Akrotiri in 1970Written by Fernleigh George Judge
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"I served as atation Voluntary Band Instructor and had a very happy and satifying time there the band was excelent and up to such a standard that we the silver band combined with the pipe band and did a beat the rereat ceromony at the football pitch and entertained an audience of 4000 .the eproceeds of the show were donated to local charities and RAFBT the group captain remarked on the bands performance to the effect that it was as good as any he had seen including professional bands. "
103 MU RAF Akrotiri 1964 - 1967 in 1964Written by robert hooper
Contact this person >> "As an SAC storebasher enjoying the privileges of the spacious,new aircooled Scaf while working as a member of the Priorities Cell team, I recall those happy days, and often wish I had made better attempts to exchange contact gen with colleagues and pals of that time.
Forgetting rank, and sometimes a first name or surname, I'd like to mention colleagues and buddies whose memories I still recall with affection..... Johnny Colgate, Mick Myskow, Dougie Waites, Mick Brown, Paul Meyers, Robbie Robertson, Bill Robertson, Keith Sill, Paddy Lynch., and in other Sections of RAF Akrotiri, Nigel Ferguson (he may have been 1153MCU), John Carter, Henry Connolly, as well as the lady at Minns, Mrs Erica Bochwald & Leo.
We (an honest bunch of storebashers at 103MU) knew from paperwork received that a 13ft rescue dinghy was about to be scrapped. We (the honest bunch of storebashers) thought it would be nice to have a nice boat for messing about in. Somehow, the scrapped boat found itself outside our bungalow barrack-block, and during the winter months that followed, a small group of devoted enthusiasts beavered away to completely rebuild and re-furbish the boat in time for the Summer. The boat, now legally registered as the civilian vessel "Aquaphoenix" and sporting a recently (and legally) acquired Evinrude outboard motor, was set to provide the rewards of our industry.
We (the honest bunch of storebashers) did a deal with Akrotiri Yatch Club, who desperately needed a small boat to set out their daily marker-buoys. The Yatch Club used our boat up to noon daily, and then filled her with the necessary fuel for us to enjoy the rest of the day. (Thank you, Twiggy's Dad!)
Recycling and reuse of scrapped items can be fun.... just as our acquisition of the wooden areo-engine crates allowed us (yes, you know who...) to convert these into beach huts/homes for the Supply Squadron needy during their recreational time. Ladies Mile? Great Memories!"
RAF Akrotiri in 1991Written by Mike Hilton
Contact this person >> "Watching the Army recover HMS Striker, our Glass fibre hulled coastal patrol boat on a floating platform after the two ringer Rupert let the local Cyprian translator drive it over a submerged rock pinnacle. Punctured the hull, salt water in both donks, blade snapped off the prop, drive shaft bent to buggary.
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RAF Akrotiri in 1983Written by Martin Ware
Contact this person >> "19(F) Det. When OC 92 brought out their "T" Tango aircraft carrying a spare for one of our grounded kites. CinC RAFG in the back seat for a jolly. While the crew were doing the tourist thing and golfing, the Kod Skwad groundcrew set about the aircraft with the "Zap Kit". (Hodgie at his best). All red and yellow checkers changed to blue and white, sharks teeth on radome. Cobra given a blue and white check top hat and bow tie. Tail letter also changed to blue and white checks. A true masterpiece. Downside - removing retaliatory red and yellow markings from Bravo dispersal on our return. "
RAF Akrotiri, Water Skiing at Ladies Mile in 1960Written by Michael French
Contact this person >> "I got my introduction to water skiing at Ladies Mile beach, and got up on two skies on my first attempt. It was a most exhilarating experience, and a sport I was to continue to develop in Canada, where I also took up snow skiing, and ultimately advanced to salome water skiing in Nassau-in-the-Bahamas.
Yes, I found a lot of fun things to do in my spare time on and off the base at RAF Akrotiri. Swimming and snorkeling at Submarine Point, and diving off the rocks were another of the pleasures we enjoyed. We also developed great sun tans. To cool our bottled soft drinks we would throw them into the water where they would sink to between 20 to 30 feet onto soft sand. Later when we wanted to retrieve them we simply dived down and got them up for a quenching cool drink.
Those were happy and carefree times I will always remember, and also the camaraderie of good mates. Where are they all now I often wonder?"
Forces Reunited Forum Posts involving RAF Akrotiri
" Trying to find Chris, who was stationed at RAF Akrotiri in around 1980/81. I met him whilst he was on exercise in Germany, at Rheindahlen. The last time I saw him, he was stationed at Uxbridge in around 1987. I would love to know how he is, and how life’s been treating him. Any information ..."
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" Flew out to H.K in 1966, in an old Britannia,[nicknamed 40,000 rivets], via Kuwait, and Columbo,Ceylon, as it was then. Landed at Kai Tak at night. Didnt know the runway was out in the sea till I saw it in daylight.That really does get the old adrenalin gland puckering!! Later in 1967 an Air ..."
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" I was at RAF Bridgenorth in January 1959 for basic training, the DI was Cpl Fowler, yellow sqnd. We arrived by train from RAF Cardington. I believe the station or platform was attached to the camp because we had to run across a field which was part of the camp. It was certainly not Bridgenorth ..."
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" In 1963 whilst serving at RAF Akrotiri, I was riding my Norton motorcycle with a pillion passenger on board, on Base at RAF Akrotiri,we rode into a bend which had been freshly laid with gravel. My pillion bailed off and took off, I lost control and collided Head on with a telegraph pole. A good ..."
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" In 1963 whilst serving at RAF Akrotiri, I was riding my Norton motorcycle with a pillion passenger on board, on Base at RAF Akrotiri,we rode into a bend which had been freshly laid with gravel. My pillion bailed off and took off, I lost control and collided Head on with a telegraph pole. A good ..."
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