RAF Akrotiri provides a Forward Mounting Base for the UK MOD, which can provide a 24/7 airfield to support all UK military and civil contracted aircraft. RAF Akrotiri will typically be the first place anyone within BFC will visit, as it contains the Air Terminal. The unit also provides a small port facility which is augmented by use of the local port of Limassol. The permanent staff are divided into four wings: Engineering, Operations, Logistics and Base Support Wing. Each wing is divided into functional Squadrons and then into specialist flights. The station has a population of over 3,500, dependants and civilian contractors. Accommodation, transport and life support is also given to exercising or operational troops and those awaiting onward flights. Personnel are drawn from across the Armed Forces and the Civil Service.
RAF Akrotiri is home to several resident units including, Cyprus Joint Security Unit, RAF Police Dog section, Medical and Dental Centre, Defence Infrastructure Organisation, MET Office and Cyprus Joint Communications Unit. Other notable resident units include Olive Harvest, a detachment of US aircraft engaged in a specialist role and 84 Sqn, who specialising in Search and Rescue (SAR) and Aerial Fire Fighting (AFF) as a sovereign capability and aiding the Republic of Cyprus.