British Forces Cyprus

British Forces Cyprus
British Forces Tri-Service badge
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Branch	British Army Royal Air Force Royal Navy
Size	3,500 military personnel[1] 7,000 civilians[1]
Part of	UK Ministry of Defence
Garrison/HQ	Akrotiri and Dhekelia, Cyprus
Commanders
CBF (Commander British Forces Cyprus)	Air Vice-Marshal Peter Squires OBE
Notable commanders	Air Chief Marshal Sir Michael Wigston KCB CBE ADC

British Forces Cyprus (BFC) is the name given to the British Armed Forces stationed in the UK Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia on the island of Cyprus and at a number of related 'retained sites' in the Republic of Cyprus. The United Kingdom retains a military presence on the island in order to keep a strategic location at the eastern end of the Mediterranean, for use as a staging point for forces sent to locations in the Middle East and Asia. BFC is a tri-service command, with all three services based on the island reporting to it.