As a number of readers will already know, the Royal Air Force’s legendary aerobatic display team, The Red Arrows, will be touring North America this year for the first time in more than a decade. Although the team has yet to publicly announce any display dates or locations yet, the team just announced that they will be flying across the Atlantic to begin their ‘Western Hawk 19’ tour soon after their final performances at the Royal International Air Tatoo (or RIAT), which will take place between July 19th and 21st at RAF Fairford in the Cotswold Hills of Gloucestershire, England.
This tour will mark the first time the Reds have traveled to North America since their brief trip in 2008. It will also be their most extensive visit to the continent as well, and is expected to last nine weeks, with display stops in both the United States and Canada.
In today’s press release, Wing Commander Andrew Keith, Officer Commanding, Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows, stated:
“One of the key roles of the Red Arrows is to support UK interests overseas and this major tour to North America will provide an important opportunity to both showcase the best of British and highlight the strong relationships we have with the US and Canada… The deployment will build on the recent successful Red Arrows tours to China, the Far East and Gulf regions and the team is already preparing extensively – to present a safe, memorable and visually-exciting formation display to new audiences across the Atlantic.”