An axial flow compressor (200) comprises a high pressure compressor section (32) having a core flow path (202), an aft stage (204) and a forward stage (200). A diffuser (208) is in fluid communication with the core flow path (202) and is coupled to the aft stage (204). A plenum (210) coupled to the diffuser (208). A pre-swirl nozzle (212) is coupled to the plenum (210), an exit (214) of the pre swirl nozzle (212) being directed at an aft stage rotor disk (218) and configured to impart a swirl to a cooling fluid. The axial flow compressor may further comprise an aft stage rotor cavity (222) defined by a portion of the aft stage rotor disk (218) and having an aft stage axial overlap seal (226), and a portion of the cooling fluid may return to the core flow path (202) through the aft stage seal (226).
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