A Royal Air Force A400M Atlas aircraft takes off from RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus. The aircraft was visiting Akrotiri as part of ongoing trials. Number LXX Squadron is the first operational Airbus A400M Atlas Squadron. The Squadron stood-up in an administrative and engineering support capacity on 1 October 2014, allowing sufficient time for it to be configured and manned appropriately prior to formally accepting air transport tasking from Summer 2015. The aircraft will be operated initially by No. XXIV Squadron, the Fixed Wing Air Mobility Operational Conversion Unit, which is responsible for conducting training for Atlas aircrew and engineering personnel. Additionally No. 206(R) Squadron will test and evaluate Atlas as part of the aircraft’s capability development process.