December 19, 2016 9.57 am This story is over 86 months old

Final duties for departing Red Arrows pilots and engineers

Pilots and engineers from Lincolnshire’s famous RAF Red Arrows team have announced they will be leaving after reaching the end of their posts. Squadron Leader Steve Morris and Flight Lieutenants Stew Campbell and Joe Hourston carried out their final duties as Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team pilots with the Scampton-based display team. Squadron Leader Pete…

Pilots and engineers from Lincolnshire’s famous RAF Red Arrows team have announced they will be leaving after reaching the end of their posts.

Squadron Leader Steve Morris and Flight Lieutenants Stew Campbell and Joe Hourston carried out their final duties as Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team pilots with the Scampton-based display team.

Squadron Leader Pete Searle, the team’s Senior Engineering Officer, and Flight Lieutenant Marcus Ramsden, Junior Engineering Officer, have also said goodbye after two seasons with the Red Arrows.

The five team members’ involvement included a highly successful finale – a nine-week tour of the Asia-Pacific and Middle East regions, which concluded earlier this month.

Photo: Red Arrows

Photo: Red Arrows

Squadron Leader Morris, who has completed four seasons with the Red Arrows, flew as Red 6 in 2016 and the Synchro Leader – one of the two pilots who perform the most dynamic elements of the aerobatic show.

He said: “My four years on the Red Arrows have undoubtedly been the most enjoyable and rewarding years of my Royal Air Force career to date.

“There are so many highlights and among them has to be the first time you wear the famous red flying suit, having successfully gained Public Display Authority. I will never forget the immense sense of achievement and responsibility I felt wearing it.”

The departing team members have shared their out-of-this-world highlights of displaying around the world and supporting a number of different charities in a tribute on the MOD website here.