RAF F-35s operational from Cyprus

The first operational sorties were flown on June 16 from RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, targeting the last remnants of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (Isil).

[/url]https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/06/24/britains-new-f35-stealth-jets-used-operations-first-time/

Good training opportunities for the Russian radar crews

SO !

Who dropped a missile on Cyprus.

"A suspected stray missile crashed north of the Cypriot capital, Nicosia early on Monday, Turkish Cypriot officials said.

Ersin Tatar, the prime minister of Northern Cyprus, a breakaway state recognised only by Turkey, said that no one was hurt in a pre-dawn blast near the village of Tashkent, also known as Vouno, some 12 miles northeast of the capital."

(‘Stray’ missile crashes near Cyprus capital)

spacesailor

Initial reports suggest it wasn't an air to ground missile, implying it was launched from another country rather than an aircraft overhead

@fly_tornado, your point has merit. See below:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/the-new-iron-curtain-russian-missile-defense-challenges-us-air-power/ar-BBSDkjR

The russian S-400 missile system is deployed in and near Syria and according to the article above, NATO coalition missions appear to have been called off after the anti-aircraft system was detected as emitting. It is important to remember the lessons of the Wild Weasel combat missions. Airborne and anti-aircraft signal processing power has increased since then. This doesn't take into account the ability to sense a signal from one platform (EF-18) and send it for further processing (E-7 or on the ground). Its my opinion that every time the S-400 is turned on its another opportunity to gather information about its electronic signal and that of the upcoming S-500.

One might speculate that is exactly what one or more missions set out to achieve, rather than a kinetic attack. Its important to remember that the F-35 never, ever flies alone.

The first shipment of S-400 equipment arrived in Turkey today.