British Forces Cyprus | |
---|---|
Allegiance | United Kingdom |
Branch | British Army Royal Air Force Royal Navy |
Size | 3,500 military personnel[1] 7,000 civilians[1] |
Part of | UK Ministry of Defence |
Garrison/HQ | Akrotiri and Dhekelia, Cyprus |
Commanders | |
CBF (Commander British Forces Cyprus) | Air Vice-Marshal Peter Squires OBE |
Notable commanders | Air Chief Marshal Sir Michael Wigston KCB CBE ADC |
British Forces Cyprus (BFC) is the name given to the British Armed Forces stationed in the UK Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia on the island of Cyprus and at a number of related 'retained sites' in the Republic of Cyprus. The United Kingdom retains a military presence on the island in order to keep a strategic location at the eastern end of the Mediterranean, for use as a staging point for forces sent to locations in the Middle East and Asia. BFC is a tri-service command, with all three services based on the island reporting to it.