The RAF’s latest transport aircraft, the A400M Atlas, touched down on Akrotiri soil for the first time yesterday (15 Dec 14). The aircraft was visiting the RAF Base as part of its ongoing checks to ensure that our airfields are capable of supporting this new aircraft.
The A400M Atlas can operate in both the strategic and tactical environment, including operating on natural surfaces and over long ranges and so provides a “swing role” capability that sits between the C-17 and C-130 Hercules.
Wg Cdr “Jellers” Jardine, OC Ops at the base said:
“The A400M visit to RAF Akrotiri has been very useful in giving RAF Akrotiri personnel exposure to the ground handling of this new RAF Strategic Air Transport aircraft. During its 24 Hour stopover, a large section of station personnel familiarized themselves with the size and shape of the aircraft with a view to developing our SOPs to ensure we can fully support the aircraft in an operational role when it enters service in 2015. Additionally, the visit by A400M during this busy time was a good opportunity for Ops Wg personnel to experience the complexities of integrating this new large aircraft’s requirements whilst continuing to support kinetic operations in support of Op SHADER.”
The Atlas will support the deployment of conventional and high readiness forces, supporting all three services and wider UK interests. The aircraft will be capable of efficiently carrying 32 tonnes over a range of 2,300 nautical miles at speeds comparable with pure jet military transport aircraft.
RAF Fireman Sgt “Chuck” Berry said:
“The fire-fighters here at Akrotiri have all the relevant documentation to be able to work on the aircraft but this is our opportunity to get a really good look around and familiarise ourselves with this new bit of kit”
The aircraft visiting RAF Akrotiri is the first of the RAF’s fleet of 22 A400M Atlas to be delivered to its home at RAF Brize Norton.
