The loud screech of a Typhoon and F-35 jet rips through the night sky above RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus. It's followed by the heavier rumble of the larger refueling aircraft that will join its mission - hunting down Iranian drones.
The RAF Voyager is the giant petrol station in the sky for the Typhoon and F-35 jets, which have been patrolling the skies over Cyprus and Jordan for the past month.
The BBC is among the first news outlets to witness these defensive missions being conducted day and night, ever since the US and Israel began their bombing campaign against Iran.
From the cockpit of the Voyager, we watched the shimmering lights of Cyprus fade into the distance. We were getting closer to the coast of Israel and Lebanon.
From that direction, we see a brief flash of orange light. One of the crew points to it and tells me: Quite often, you can see either incoming missiles from Iran or the Israeli response. It might be the Iron Dome from Israel, the pilot interjects over the intercom, referring to the country's air defense system.
Evidence, then, that even after a month of heavy bombing, Iran still poses a threat and is still firing missiles and drones.
During this nine-hour mission, the Typhoon and F-35 jet refuel seven times - taking on a total of 30 tonnes of aviation fuel.
Over the past month, British jets operating out of Cyprus and Qatar have shot down several drones. They won't say exactly how many times they've fired their sophisticated advanced short-range air-to-air missiles (ASRAAM) to take down a drone, but it's in the single figures. It's an expensive golden bullet to bring down a relatively cheap fiberglass drone.
On this mission, they identify no targets. But the jets have been conducting what's been called Operation Luminous since the start of the war.
Despite criticism, government ministers have repeatedly said they made sufficient preparations - moving in additional jets, air defense systems, and personnel to Cyprus weeks before the conflict started. The air raid warnings are less frequent - with improved intelligence and detection.
The heightened defense posture at RAF Akrotiri will inevitably stretch the UK's already strained armed forces. Some of the Royal Navy helicopters now based at RAF Akrotiri were supposed to join the aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales on her planned voyage to the North Atlantic.
As the situation remains tense, Gen Bewick has underscored the importance of preparedness, especially given that Iran publicly states RAF Akrotiri is a target. Nevertheless, reassurance remains, as most service families who left their homes after the attack have returned.
