Season Closes for Lincolnshire's Iconic Red Arrows Aerobatics Team
The display season wrapped up for the Red Arrows, Lincolnshire's much-loved aerobatics team, after a thrilling year packed with large crowds, flypasts and extraordinary shows. Their recent final public appearance for the year 2023 happened during Avord Airshow in France, witnessed last weekend.
Departure of Three Cherished Pilots
Significantly, this season bids farewell to three star airmen from the Red Arrows team who completed their service terms. Namely they are Squadron Leader Tom Bould, Flight Lieutenant David Simmonds, and Squadron Leader James Turner.
"The role was incredible – I have worked with the most humble and professional people who have kept achieving and remained focussed on our shared goal of inspiring those watching – whatever their location, age or background." says Tom Bould, who served as Team Leader for three years.
Reflecting on An Eventful Season
Describing this year's memorable moments, Bould shed light on notable occasions, such as their display for the G7 summit in Cornwall, a flypast over Giza Pyramids in Egypt, and multiple mixed formations with big airliners including Airbus A380 and Boeing 777.
"However, my favourite flypast was the one over London for the Coronation this year for His Majesty The King, with tens of millions of people watching."
The grandeur of the 2023 season started in May, featuring more than 60 performances by the Red Arrows at various events.
Transformative Times
It was an emotional ride for Squadron Leader Turner, an ex-Typhoon operational pilot who described his tenure with the Red Arrows as the "best job". He cherished moments of interacting with families at air shows, healthcare professionals at the Great Ormond Street Hospital in London, and young enthusiasts like cadets who wanted to learn more about the RAF and flying.
Flight Lieutenant Simmonds, a former RAF’s Tornado GR4 operational and the United States Marine Corps’ Harrier pilot, appreciated his international role in the team, performing flypasts over iconic global locations like Dubai's Burj Khalifa and Egypt's Pyramids. He considered such experiences as once-in-a-lifetime moments.
The Road Ahead
As the 2023 season ends, a period of transition begins with the introduction of new pilots and plans for the following year. The Red Arrows' ground crew, comprising of 130 engineers and support staff at RAF Waddington, are busy getting ready for winter training and strategizing for the 2024 season.