“If you enjoy the outdoor life then this is a fantastic little jewel in the crown.,” says Wg Cdr Taylor, Commander Ascension Island Base. Remote and tropical, Ascension Island is a volcanic outcrop bearing an airfield and little else. It offers postings as rewarding as they are challenging, and fulfils a vital role in the UK’s Falkland’s airbridge. Flying to Ascension Island one is left in no doubt that when it comes to remoteness this British Overseas Territory takes some beating. Close to the equator, Ascension lies 1,000 miles from the coast of West Africa and 1,400 miles from South America, with the Falkland Islands 3,900 miles to the south. For the MoD today, Ascension Island Base is home to 20 UK military personnel supported by around 160 contractors and civil servants. US Air Force and RAF C-17s use Ascension as a staging post for onward flights throughout the region. British and US personnel share aircraft support duties regardless of aircraft nationality. US visitors have included this USAF McDonnell Douglas KC-10A Extender tanker/transport. Read the full story in The RAF Annual Review 2015, now published. SHARE/LIKE/COMMENT Military Photos Commonwealth
Posted on: Sat, 29 Nov 2014 20:04:05 +0000