Why Ascension Island?
Both of the expedition’s instructors are frequent visitors to Ascension Island, and in particular WO1 Soper had taken another RAuxAF party (sister Squadron 7006) to Ascension in 2007. 7010 therefore decided to harness the enthusiasm of the instructors and the experienced gained by 7006 to organise our own trip. Ascension Island offers a challenging landscape shaped by volcanic activity, from steep craters and extensive lava fields to the high Green Mountain covered in verdant tropical and alpine vegetation fringed by a coast of long sandy swimming beaches with rich avian and marine wildlife. The climate is generally sunny with temperatures between 28 and 30°C, some light rain falls from Green Mountain and a steady breeze around the coast and hills fed by the trade winds. The island has a strong cultural history to explore tied to its continuing strategic role in the South Atlantic, the RAF has consolidated its presence at Travellers Hill since the establishment of the Falkland Islands
