Chinook helicopter crews from the British Bases in Cyprus have confirmed their readiness to support firefighting efforts during the upcoming summer season. Following a joint training exercise with Republic of Cyprus forces called Ifestos, completed on May 1, the crews demonstrated enhanced interoperability and coordination with local units.

Squadron Leader Joel Babbage, commanding officer of 1310 Flight at RAF Akrotiri, highlighted the value of the exercise in integrating communication and tactical procedures with Cypriot partners. This cooperation improved mutual understanding of capabilities and will enable more effective joint operations during emergencies.

Going into the fire season, the British Bases will maintain one Chinook helicopter at immediate readiness. Praised for its heavy-lift capacity and ability to operate in high temperatures and difficult terrain, the Chinook is regarded as one of the most capable helicopters globally for aerial firefighting, supported by crews experienced in precision flying and operational load management.