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https://modmedia.blog.gov.uk/2016/04/13/raf-red-arrows-to-fly-over-london-pride/

RAF Red Arrows to fly over Pride in London

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The Red Arrows will fly over Pride in London for the first time at this year’s parade in a show of support for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community and LGBT Armed Forces personnel.

Nine jets from the world-renowned Royal Air Force (RAF) Aerobatic Team will perform a red, white and blue flypast for thousands at the event on Saturday, 25 June. It will be the first time that the Red Arrows have flown over a Pride parade.

Whilst in the Mediterranean, the Red Arrows treated the team onboard the Strike aircraft carrier, HMS Illustrious, to a display by their unmistakable formation of nine Hawks on 12 May 08, whilst Lusty made a brief logistics stop, at anchor of Cyprus. After transiting the Suez Canal and leaving the Indian Ocean behind, HMS Illustrious is now in the Mediterranean and nearly on the homeward leg of her deployment. But not until she has hosted a Royal Reception in Istanbul, which will be attended by Her Majesty the Queen, His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh, and the President of Turkey Abdullah Gul. The Red Arrows are at their usual pre-season training camp in Cyprus, which gave Illustrious this unique opportunity. The team in the Operations Room also used the occasion to test their skills and successfully track all nine of the Hawks as they approached the Ship to do their fly past. On the display, Flight Lieutenant Clare Chalmers who is ones of the Ship’s Officers said: “Seeing the Red Arrows today was awesome. After a long deployment it’s always nice to be going home, but it was a real privilege to be treated to a personal display from the Red Arrows.” Illustrious will return to the UK on 31 May 08 after a deployment of over 4 months to the Indian Ocean. Granada TV have made a 6 part documentary about the deployment for Channel 5, which starts at 9pm on Monday 19th May. 12/05/08 Please credit LA(PHOT) Darby Allen

The Red Arrows showcase the excellence of the Royal Air Force and represent the United Kingdom and its Armed Forces, both at home and overseas. The flypast marks a busy day for the team who will also display at the national Armed Forces Day event in Cleethorpes, north-east Lincolnshire.

The Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows, performed a flypast at the final of the Rugby World Cup (Saturday, October 31). Nine jets from the display team flew over Twickenham Stadium a few minutes before the game between Australia and New Zealand kicked off. The Red Arrows also went over Trafalgar Square in central London, where fans gathered to watch the final on screen. Among the pilots flying one of the distinctive Red Arrows Hawk aircraft was New Zealand-born Flight Lieutenant Emmet Cox, who flies as Red 5. Born and raised on the North Shore of Auckland, he emigrated to the United Kingdom in 2001 and joined the Royal Air Force a year later. Flt Lt Cox flew the Tornado GR4 operationally and joined the Red Arrows for the 2015 display season. The Red Arrows took off from the team’s home at RAF Scampton, in Lincolnshire, at 1525hrs for the Rugby World Cup The jets flew over Trafalgar Square at 1553hrs, Twickenham two minutes later and then returned to their base.

Much work has been undertaken in recent years to improve diversity and inclusion across defence. This year the Royal Navy was named one of UK’s top 10 LGBT-friendly employers, according to Stonewall. The British Army also retained its place in Stonewall’s top 50 list.

Armed Forces Minister Penny Mordaunt said:

This flypast by the RAF Red Arrows is important as it embodies the huge progress made by the military in recent years to ensure our Armed Forces reflect society. All three Services are now among the most inclusive workplaces for LGBT employees and will support Pride in London.

Library Picture: With 100 days to go until the Olympics, LOCOG announced today (Weds 18 Apr) that the world-famous aerobatic display team the Red Arrows will perform a nine-ship flypast in Big Battle formation across the UK to mark the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games (27 July), providing a stunning curtain raiser to the show. Flying over London 2012 Live Sites in Belfast, Cardiff, Edinburgh and London before the Opening Ceremony begins, the iconic Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team will herald the start of the Games, and welcome the world in quintessentially British fashion. Officer Commanding the Red Arrows, Red 1, Squadron Leader Jim Turner said, “The Red Arrows are honoured to have been invited to take part in the London 2012 Olympic Games celebrations to represent both the Royal Air Force and the very Best of British. My whole Squadron, pilots and ground support staff alike, share the pride and privilege of being part of such a special occasion.”

Squadron Leader David Montenegro, Red 1 and Team Leader of the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, will be flying at the front of the nine-aircraft formation over the Pride event.

He said:

The Red Arrows are honoured to feature as a part of this year’s Pride in London.

 

The flypast will illustrate the team’s role representing both the United Kingdom and also the dedicated, skilled and talented people drawn from all backgrounds serving across our Armed Forces.

 

Hopefully all those attending Pride in London will be inspired by the flypast and enjoy the occasion.

Royal Air Force made up of the famous Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and the Red Arrows payed tribute to the veterans as they march, flying directly over Whitehall and St James’s Park Today HM The Queen led the nation in a Service of Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey, attended by veterans and their families, representatives of Allied nations and commonwealth countries that fought alongside the UK in the conflict, along with government and military representatives. The service was followed by a parade of around 1000 veterans, organisations and associations representing those who fought in the Second World War in Europe, led by 200 members of the Armed Forces. The parade crossed Parliament Square, before heading up Parliament Street and Whitehall where it will pass the famous balcony where Winston Churchill appeared before the crowds on VE Day after his famous speech to mark Victory in Europe. The Prince of Wales will then took the salute as they entered Horse Guards Parade where members of the public watched the from special seated stands. There flypast of current and historic aircraft from the Royal Air Force made up of the famous Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and the Red Arrows payed tribute to the veterans as they march, flying directly over Whitehall and St James’s Park, to conclude the celebrations. Veterans and members of the public will then enjoy an afternoon of Second World War era entertainment in St James’s Park and a concert in Trafalgar Square. Photographer: Sergeant Paul Randall RLC (Phot)

Rob Anderson, Operations Director, Pride in London, said:

Pride in London is delighted to accept the offer of a flypast by the Red Arrows.  As the UK's largest LGBT event, we are very excited to be the first Pride festival to be treated to a flypast, and look forward to them being part of the celebrations. 

 

Our Armed Forces have a great history of engagement in Pride and the crowds of spectators really enjoy seeing them. As the Red Arrows fly overhead, it is fitting that this year they'll be led by the Royal Air Force.

More than 200 defence personnel are expected to march in this year’s Pride in London parade.

Photographer: SAC Hannah Beevers (RAF Photographer) Pictured: The Royal Air Force Red Arrows fly over Horse Guards Parade. HM The Queen led the nation in a Service of Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey, attended by veterans and their families, representatives of Allied nations and commonwealth countries that fought alongside the UK in the conflict, along with government and military representatives. The service was followed by a parade of around 1000 veterans, organisations and associations representing those who fought in the Second World War in Europe, led by 200 members of the Armed Forces. The parade crossed Parliament Square, before heading up Parliament Street and Whitehall where it will pass the famous balcony where Winston Churchill appeared before the crowds on VE Day after his famous speech to mark Victory in Europe. The Prince of Wales took the salute as they entered Horse Guards Parade where members of the public watched from stands.

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