The U.S. Air Force is exploring ways to enhance Andreas Papandreou Air Force Base in Cyprus, aiming to transform it into a crucial hub for humanitarian operations in the Middle East. Situated strategically close to Lebanon, the base has a history of serving as a transit point for evacuations and aid deliveries during regional conflicts. The planned upgrades include state-of-the-art radar systems to ensure safe air traffic management alongside the island's civilian airport, as well as runway and base expansions to accommodate a larger volume of military aircraft.
Experts from the U.S. Air Force are looking at ways to upgrade Cyprus ’ premier air base for use as a humanitarian staging post in future operations in the Middle East , a Cypriot official told The Associated Press Thursday. Cyprus , which is only 184 kilometers (114 miles) from the Lebanese capital, Beirut, has acted as a transit point for the fleeing conflict in the Middle East and beyond on numerous occasions in the past. It has also served as a transit point for humanitarian aid deliveries.
Experts from the 435th Contingency Response Group based out of Ramstein, Germany, will spend the next few days at Andreas Papandreou Air Force Base to assess the upgrade needed to accommodate a wide array of U.S. air assets and other forces. A key priority is to ensure air traffic safety in and around the base, which abuts the island’s second-largest civilian airport, the official said. The base’s location makes it easy to transfer evacuees onto civilian aircraft at the adjacent airport for their trip home. The official spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity because he’s not authorized to speak publicly about the details of the experts’ visit. How the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal will unfold — and why it is so precariousAir traffic safety would need to be enhanced through new high-tech installations, including state-of-the-art radar, to ensure the independent operation of civilian and military aircraft at safe distances. “The Americans are very specific on safety issues and want to make some upgrades to further improve the base’s safety,” the official said. Other essential upgrades include expanding both the base itself and the runway to accommodate more transport and fighter aircraft. Hardened shelters to protect those air assets are also envisioned at the base. The Marines, who were equipped with V-22 Osprey tiltrotor military transport and cargo aircraft, were on stand-by in the event of a swift evacuation of US citizens from nearby Lebanon during Israel’s strikes against Hezbollah targets late last year
Cyprus US Air Force Humanitarian Missions Air Base Upgrade Middle East Andreas Papandreou Air Force Base Aircraft Air Traffic Safety
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