THE RED ARROWS

Reds return from eastern tour

The Red Arrows display team have now returned from their goodwill tour of the Middle and Far East, having described the six-week and 16,000-mile tour of 14 countries as demanding but satisfying.  The tour included 16 displays (all of them full displays, given the fantastic weather in the southern hemisphere).  

During the tour the team performed 16 displays with their Hawk jet aircraft in countries including Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Jordan, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Malaysia.

"Bearing in mind the busy schedule and the distances involved the tour was quite a challenge," said Jas Hawker, Red 1.  "We had to contend with some last minute changes to the schedule due to events beyond our control in certain countries, but overall it went extremely smoothly."

The displays were watched by millions of people, including royalty, government ministers and a number of military chiefs.  The 36-year-old RAF Squadron Leader, explained: "We have seen some amazing sights and the task of acting as ambassadors for the UK overseas has been a great privilege."

The team are now preparing for the start of training for the 2008 season.