As Cairngorm burned and Ireland’s two helicopters ‘pounded’ a wildfire, the RAF’s only two firefighting helicopters were in Cyprus ‘In defence of the UK’s strategic interests’

Thanks to rtpscott for alerting us to this.

From RAF Odiham News on 21 May 2026, the above image and:

Across the training period, crews have been practising the full firefighting cycle – dipping the suspended bucket into open water before delivering controlled drops over designated areas. This essential training ensures crews are prepared to support wildfire response efforts as the season begins, protecting lives, infrastructure, and the environment.

Chinook dropping the Bambi bucket into a body of water
1310 Flight, a Chinook detachment from RAF Odiham, is located at RAF Akrotiri – home to the Cyprus Operations Support Unit, delivering joint support to British Forces Cyprus and regional operations in defence of the UK’s strategic interests.

In July 2025, the Flight played a vital role in supporting Cypriot authorities during the island’s largest wildfires since 1974, operating intensively over two days to help contain the fires.

As wildfire seasons become increasingly demanding, regular training ensures RAF crews remain ready to deliver this vital capability whenever it is required.

https://www.raf.mod.uk/our-organisation/stations/raf-odiham/news/chinook-crews-train-for-wildfire-response-in-cyprus/

Why has the UK no equivalent firefighting aircraft based in the UK?

No major media have pushed ministers to answer this question in recent years despite large wildfires such as the Essex field fire that spread to homes.

This raises the question sharply:

MoD admits it had no firefighting aircraft capable of helping with Cairngorm wildfire while the Air Corps in Ireland is currently ‘pounding’ a smaller one

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4 thoughts on “As Cairngorm burned and Ireland’s two helicopters ‘pounded’ a wildfire, the RAF’s only two firefighting helicopters were in Cyprus ‘In defence of the UK’s strategic interests’”

  1. I read the report of the fire in Essex. It contains one vox pop from a local farmer who thanked the fire service for their work. The only blame was allocated to a firework which is thought to have been the cause. The local council and HMGovernment are not mentioned.

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  2. The UK owns the land where their bases are in Cyprus. They refused to return it after colonial rule ended. UK imperial interest lives on.

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  3. It would appear that Mr McCook who is chair of Nethy Bridge Community Council is upset because he was asked to leave the Community Centre last night. He has posted on Facebook about it. A somewhat ungracious statement IMHO.

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    “Good evening all,Some of you may have already read that I as chairman of the Community Council and several others were asked today to leave the Community Centre as apparently it was not appropriate that we were there. After all it was only the Community Council who developed the Emergency Plan and have coordinated the village response. However I have been asked by the SFRS to point you in the direction of their official updates as to the situation on the ground. That said I can and will inform you that I was part of a small official group who met the cabinet secretary, Gillian Martin and had a very frank meeting in the Hotel. The meeting included Highland Council, FLS, Cairngorms National Park, Cairngorm Mountain. I will be able to share more at a later date but currently suffice to say there was unanimity as to the thoughts on the way forward for the future. I will continue to give you as much information as possible.

    Best wishes,Sandy McCookChairman NBVCC”” END QUOTE

    I also read the update from SFRS late yesterday and found it very informative.

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