Friday

UP VERY EARLY

We packed and left our accommodation the way we left it

Our bags were left outside ready to be transported to the Airport

On our way to the airport we stopped off at The Historical Mosque of Cyprus on Larnaca’s Salt Lake called 

the the Hala Sultan Tekkesi, brought-about by the Turkish influence in Cyprus. 

However now we were very close to the airport 

The impending doom was becoming closer by the minute 

By impending doom i mean the fact that we had to leave each other

My name is Jonathon Barker and I am a Sergeant at 317 Failsworth Squadron 

never in my wildest dreams did I expect to be doing anything like this but RAFA have given me the unique opportunity to meet some of the most incredible people and for that reason I cannot thank the Royal air force Association enough for this GIFT that only a fraction of the people in the whole country will ever have the experience of.

And a MASSIVE thank you to all the staff involved and thanks for Anne and Griff who are doing absolutely incredible work to make all this happen !

THANK YOU RAFA <3

Thursday

On the minibus all filled up from breakfast 

on our way to Camp Episkopi Garrison which is an army base based in Cyprus

we stop at Aphrodite rock which is a major tourist attraction 

Aphrodite Rock Cyprus

We continue and arrive at Camp Episkopi Garrison to be greeted by a Tank 

The Gate Guardian  of the camp 

we go to the back of the base to what looks a building with no windows, inside I am surprised to find a SAT range we had a go on the guns on which is essentially a simulator for shooting and it has air compressed guns which are really really fun.

At the end of our session a photographer took a photo just next to the range 

Next off to dinner on the base before we leave we get a picture from the guard room with the guards 

Back to RAF Akrotiri to get out of our uniform and do some souvenir shopping then off to a private beach on the base once we had finished here off thee base again to Chris's Kebabs which is a famous restaurant for service personnel. we had around 6 course of different food from shish kebabs to sausages. The food was great !!! 

The only problem is we knew tomorrow we would begin our trip home :(

Wednesday

Personally Wednesday was my favourite day !!!

Up early for breakfast then a quick stop at the NAFFI, then back to the lightning gate guardian.

The dog section is located right next to the lightning 

When we entered the dog section we were greeted by two friendly dog handlers who split the group and walked us around the dogs explaining what they did on a day to day basis.

They did a live demonstration of how a dog works, one of the handlers put a thick wool coat on and we watched the dog work to take the trainer down great stuff.

After all this excitement a shirt drive and a FOD check later we entered the pan just off the runway we got out the minibus and walked over towards a full line of red arrows.

i found out that the red arrows had landed about 1:30 minutes ago so by this time the ''Blues'' or the red arrow engineers where busy filling the pods that create the famous smoke with diesel. 

Flight Lieutenant Adam Littler came out to greet us and take us around the plane explaining how their job is vital to make sure the red arrows stay in the air. Then we were allowed to go around the jets to have a close us look.

soon after we took all our photos we ''jetted'' off to meet all the red arrows pilots for their brief. I was actually how precise every pilot is about every little detail everywhere was all hush hush while the pilots talked through every single manoeuvre.

The Pilot Brief 

Back on the minibus to the edge of a cliff in open space where the red arrows practice every year because of the climate and clear skies Cyprus has to offer. then all the trainee or future red arrows pulled up to watch the practice along with RED 10 who normally gives an on the ground experience and analysis of the sequence and commentates to the crowd explaining every move.

they started the sequence and then my jaw dropped as I stood in amazement at the hands of this routine, now I have seen the red arrows before but this 2011 routine is actually AMAZING.

We went back to meet the pilots as they landed their jets and got a lovely photo in

 Back to hear the pilots debrief in a small room, the pilots must have been exhausted but they seem to use calipo ice lolly's to cool themselves down :)

Finally finished back for something to eat 

then off to bowling to polish off a fantastic day 

Tuesday

Up at 06:00Am so an early start for us all 

Off to the SNUG where we had our breakfast then we were driven around the corner in front of the lightning F6 which is the gate guardian 

This was the Lightning 

Then the Station commander group captain Thomson came from nowhere for the camp picture 

http://www.bfbs.com/news/cyprus/station-commander-shares-insights-posting-akrotiri-44680.html

(Click the link to see him talk about RAF Akrotiri)

Then the cadets were driven to the American Air Force base which is based inside RAF Akrotiri 

we were told that we wasn't allowed to take photos because it was a spy plane but I had done my research and seen the plane on TV before 

This was the U2 spy plane we watched it being prepared for take off 

some cadets got to go in the chase cars and follow the U2 down the runway as the drivers of the cars were U2 pilots they gave advice to the pilot flying the U2 as its taking off. This is because it is hard for the pilot to see out of the cockpit. This aircraft is VERY VERY loud and the pilots go that high that they have to wear space suits. we got to taste the space food the pilots eat and we saw how their space suits get pressurised. 

After the U2 took off we were shown around by Staff Sergeant Smith and Staff Sergeant Harvey who were really friendly and answered any questions we had. 

For the afternoon we headed back to the block to get changed for the beach! 

Curium Beach which is used by the locals, this is a small beach with very COLD water 

here we had lunch and spent most of the afternoon in the hot sun :)

Curium Beach beautiful weather surrounded by cliffs and sand 

After this off to the SNUG for a bit off dinner around to the NAFFI to stock up on junk 

Then to bed to catch up on some sleep ready for an exiting Wednesday.

Monday

Cyprus Airways 

A quick meet up with Anne and Griff (RAFA) in the airport and a quick brief before our check in

We flew out of Manchester Airport terminal 1 with Cyprus airways at about 17:20pm 

After a 4 hour and 30 minute flight we arrived at Larnaca Airport in Cyprus,

Larnaca Airport 

By this time most of us had learnt each other's names and began talking !  

We collected our bags after passing through immigration and got on the bus that was waiting for us 

By this time it was 00:15 local Cyprus time   

We arrived to our accommodation and got to our beds, just after a quick         unpack and a bit of polish on my shoes.