The loud screech of a Typhoon and F-35 jet rips through the night sky above RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus. It's followed by the heavier rumble of the larger refueling aircraft that will join its mission - hunting down Iranian drones.
The RAF Voyager is the giant petrol station in the sky for the Typhoon and F-35 jets which have been patrolling the skies over Cyprus and Jordan for the past month. The BBC is among the first news outlets to witness these defensive missions in the air being conducted day and night, ever since the US and Israel began their bombing campaign against Iran.
From the cockpit of the Voyager we watched the shimmering lights of Cyprus fade into the distance. We were getting closer to the coast of Israel and Lebanon. From that direction we see a brief flash of orange light. One of the crew points to it and tells me: Quite often you can see either incoming missiles from Iran or the Israeli response.
It might be the Iron Dome from Israel, the pilot interjects over the intercom, referring to the country's air defense system. We don't know for sure, he adds, but there's a lot of kinetic things happening in that area at the moment.
The situation remains tense, with evidence that Iran is still launching missiles despite extensive military actions. Each nine-hour mission involves multiple refueling operations, with jets refueling seven times on average, maintaining a continuous watch against drone threats.
In a rapidly evolving conflict, the RAF offers crucial air support while refining their defensive postures, emphasizing the need for heightened vigilance. Recent additions of advanced technologies and personnel indicate their commitment to maintaining safety in the region.
The RAF Voyager is the giant petrol station in the sky for the Typhoon and F-35 jets which have been patrolling the skies over Cyprus and Jordan for the past month. The BBC is among the first news outlets to witness these defensive missions in the air being conducted day and night, ever since the US and Israel began their bombing campaign against Iran.
From the cockpit of the Voyager we watched the shimmering lights of Cyprus fade into the distance. We were getting closer to the coast of Israel and Lebanon. From that direction we see a brief flash of orange light. One of the crew points to it and tells me: Quite often you can see either incoming missiles from Iran or the Israeli response.
It might be the Iron Dome from Israel, the pilot interjects over the intercom, referring to the country's air defense system. We don't know for sure, he adds, but there's a lot of kinetic things happening in that area at the moment.
The situation remains tense, with evidence that Iran is still launching missiles despite extensive military actions. Each nine-hour mission involves multiple refueling operations, with jets refueling seven times on average, maintaining a continuous watch against drone threats.
In a rapidly evolving conflict, the RAF offers crucial air support while refining their defensive postures, emphasizing the need for heightened vigilance. Recent additions of advanced technologies and personnel indicate their commitment to maintaining safety in the region.
