The Welshpool squadron was awarded the opportunity as part of the first prize in the RAF Association (RAFA) Top Flight Competition 2007, which offers a UK-wide challenge for cadets to come up with the most innovative fundraising idea in aid of RAFA.

Accompanied by the RAFA membership marketing manager Griff Griffiths and membership events manager Anne Henson, their trip comprised of a three-day action-packed programme that gave the 11 cadets who went an insight into the role of the station and an opportunity to meet key personnel.

On day one they were hosted by 84 Squadron and flew in the Griffon helicopter. This was followed by a trip to the bomb dump where they were able to operate the remote-controlled EOD vehicles.

After lunch the cadets met the Station Commander, Group Captain John Conway, and then made a visit to 617 Squadron to view the GR4 Tornado aircraft, followed by a whistle stop tour of the station accompanied by members of the local RAFA Aphrodite Branch, Gordon Boam and Bill Cundall.

The next day the cadets were hosted by the Red Arrows Aerobatic Display Team and invited to sit in on the pilots' pre-display brief. The cadets were then bussed to the cliffs and had a bird's eye view of the flying display which they all felt was magnificent.

After a photo call with the pilots when they landed, the cadets had the opportunity to sit in on the "pilot de-brief", followed by a tour of the engineering facility. Red One, Wing Commander Jason Hawker and his staff made the cadets very welcome and were more than generous with their time.

Griff Griffiths said: "By now everyone was flagging slightly, the average temperature was 30 degrees centigrade and there was still more to come, but the cadets had boundless energy and enjoyed every minute."

The final day of their trip began with a visit to the tower to watch the Red Arrows take off for their first sortie of the day.

They then paid a visit to 417 Maritime Troop, Royal Logistic Corps where they were given a comprehensive brief on sea survival drills and invited to carry out some practical exercises. To do this everyone donned the specialist equipment and threw themselves from the landing craft into the Mediterranean.

The cadets thoroughly enjoyed themselves, but the morning was still not finished. A trip to the Meteorological Office was then followed by a visit to the Fire Section and the opportunity to crawl over Dennis, the fire truck. In the afternoon it was time to relax and a visit to Curium Beach was just what everyone needed.

In the evening the cadets enjoyed a kebab at Chris' Restaurant in Akrotiri village and as usual the hospitality and food were both excellent. Everyone reflected on what a fantastic week it had been and they all felt it was an experience they would never forget.

Griff Griffiths gave special thanks to the RAF Liaison Officers (RAFALOs) Flight Sergeant Mark Thrussell, Sergeant Keith Finlay and Corporal Lorri Dow.

He added: "Without their awesome efforts and support this trip would not have been possible. They chaperoned us throughout the visit and acted as our taxi drivers.

"The visit programme they put together was action packed and extremely interesting and I know that all members of the group would echo my sentiment.

"A big thank you also goes to 2364 (Welshpool) Squadron ATC for supporting the RAF Association. They acted as marvellous ambassadors for the ATC organisation and I was very impressed by the way in which they entered into the spirit of the occasion.

"Throughout their stay at RAF Akrotiri their behaviour was impeccable and they made lots of friends. It was a privilege to accompany them on the trip."