An RAF Hercules has marked it's completion of operations from RAF Akrotiri with a flypast over the Cyprus station.
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The last operational Hercules flight took place at 1000 on 4 June 23, when 47 Squadron flew from RAF Akrotiri to RAF Brize Norton. Deputy Commander Operations Air Marshal Harvey Smyth gave a speech at the parade praising the proud history of the aircraft before boarding, along with the current members of 47 Sqn, for the return flight.
Group Captain Simon Cloke, RAF Akoritiri Station Commander and former Hercules pilot gave the final salute at the ceremony. He said
“I’m not going to lie there was a little bit of dust in the eye during the event, it’s a great honour and privilege for the station.”
Wing Commander Richard Fawkes commanding officer of 903 Expeditionary Air Wing said
“It’s been in service for 56 years and it’s spent the majority of that time flying in and out of Cyprus.”
Squadron Leader Kenny Bracken is the Air Mobility detachment commander at RAF Akrotiri, who has spent 10 years on the Hercules as both an operator and training instructor at RAF Brize Norton. He said
“Today is a momentous occasion, the Herc has been involved in operations all around the world, it’s been a highlight of my career to fly the Herc.”
The Atlas C1 fleet, which has been operating alongside Hercules for some time including the evacuation of civilians from Afghanistan and Sudan, will now deliver Tactical airlift in support of operations. Atlas is the next generation of tactical air transport and can deliver greater loads (almost twice that of C-130), further and faster.
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