Much of the early history of the base was concerned with its aircraft helping to quel civil disturbances in Cyprus. It was also a important base for British aircraft during the Suez Crisis. It was one of the principal airfields in the Near East Air Force, which controlled all British air forces in the eastern Mediterranean. Up until 1974, it had a balanced force of aircraft assigned to it. However, during that year, Turkish forces invaded Cyprus in connection with a Greek-sponsored coup. The UK then evacuated most of its air forces from Akrotiri. What was left is the flying unit that is permanently assigned to the base to this day; No. 84 Squadron, a search and rescue unit flying helicopters.
Akrotiri has played a crucial role during Britain's recent operations in the Middle East. During both major campaigns against Iraq, in 1991 and 2003, and also during the no-fly zone operations between it operated as a staging post for British forces enroute to the region.
A constant problem of airfields located outside the territory of the country whose forces are based there is that of overflight rights. The UK has a treaty with Cyprus that guarantees British access to Akrotiri in any circumstances.