November 1, 2017 9.11 am This story is over 88 months old

Video: Meet the newest members of the Red Arrows ahead of their 2018 tour

Meet the newest members of the RAF Red Arrows.
(L-R) Squadron Leader Martin Pert, Flight Lieutenant Jon Bond, Flight Lieutenant David Stark and Squadron Leader Adam Collins. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

New Red Arrows pilots, who will be part of the team in the Royal Air Force’s 100th anniversary year, have begun training.

The newest members of the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, will spend seven months preparing and working towards the 2018 season, which is the service’s centenary.

The newest members to the Red Arrows, who are based at RAF Scampton, include Squadron Leader Martin Pert (Red 1), Flight Lieutenant Jon Bond (Red 2), Flight Lieutenant David Stark (Red 3) and Squadron Leader Adam Collins (Red 10).

Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

The full 2018 team will comprise:

  • Officer Commanding, Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team: Wing Commander Andrew Keith
  • Red 1 and Team Leader: Squadron Leader Martin Pert
  • Red 2: Flight Lieutenant Jon Bond
  • Red 3: Flight Lieutenant David Stark
  • Red 4: Flight Lieutenant Chris Lyndon-Smith
  • Red 5: Flight Lieutenant Dan Lowes
  • Red 6 and Synchro Leader: Flight Lieutenant Si Taylor
  • Red 7 and Synchro Two: Flight Lieutenant Toby Keeley
  • Red 8 and Executive Officer: Flight Lieutenant Matt Masters
  • Red 9: Flight Lieutenant Mike Bowden
  • Red 10 and Supervisor: Squadron Leader Adam Collins

Squadron Leader Martin Pert, who will fly as Red 1, previously flew as Red 8 between 2012 and 2014.

Squadron Leader Martin Pert. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

He said: “I’m hugely proud to be leading the nine Red Arrows aircraft as the service enters RAF100.

“Every member of the Royal Air Force will no doubt acknowledge the significance of being part of the service in such a momentous year but, in some ways, it will be business as normal for the Red Arrows.”

Squadron Leader Adam Collins. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Squadron Leader Adam Collins will take over the Red 10 safety role, which also involves commentating on the team’s display at shows, from Squadron Leader Mike Ling, who completed a record six consecutive seasons.

He said: “I’m looking forward to having the opportunity to give people a greater understanding of what we do, through conversation or display commentary, which will be very rewarding.”