RAF jets leave Cyprus for combat mission over Iraq

TWO RAF jets took off on Saturday afternoon on their first combat mission over Iraq since Parliament authorised air strikes against Islamic State militants.
By The Newsroom
Published 27th Sep 2014, 15:24 BST
A Tornado GR4 is armed with Paveway missiles at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus before leaving for a combat mission over Iraq. Picture: AFPA Tornado GR4 is armed with Paveway missiles at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus before leaving for a combat mission over Iraq. Picture: AFP
A Tornado GR4 is armed with Paveway missiles at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus before leaving for a combat mission over Iraq. Picture: AFP

The Tornado GR4 jets took off from RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, the Ministry of Defence confirmed.

The two-crew jets were armed with Paveway ‘bunker buster’ bombs.

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The planes are “ready to use in an attack role as and when appropriate targets are identified”, it said.

Military action comes after Parliament voted by 524 votes to 43 to take action against IS fighters in Iraq.

RAF Tornados have been flying reconnaissance missions over Iraq for the last six weeks, but these are the first flights since they have been authorised to launch air strikes.

SEE ALSO

• MPs back British air strikes against Islamic State

Related topics:IraqCyprusRAFParliament