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A list of locations where people can see the Royal Air Force (RAF) Red Arrows aerobatic team perform during a major tour of North America has been released.
The confirmed displays include appearances by the Red Arrows in Canada and on both the east and west coasts of the United States, with more events expected to be announced in the weeks to come.
“I am delighted people all over the U.S. and Canada will be able to see our world famous Red Arrows in action,” said U.K. Defense Minister Mark Lancaster. “Previous tours have generated huge amounts of investment for the U.K., and we hope the team lighting up the skies of two of our closet defence allies will bring more of the same.”
The team will fly to North America for the Western Hawk 19 tour this summer, expecting to arrive in Canada on Aug. 8.
During the deployment–which will be the largest to the region in a generation–the Red Arrows will help to support a range of British interests and promote trade and co-operation, as part of the U.K.’s prosperity agenda.
As well as displaying at locations and shows across North America, the team will attend several engagements on the ground, co-ordinated by the Department for International Trade (DIT) and the U.K. Government’s GREAT campaign.
The first confirmed locations for the Red Arrows displays are:
- Ottawa-Gatineau – Ottawa Airshow
- Chicago – Air and Water Show
- Atlantic City – Thunder Over the Boardwalk
- New York – New York Airshow, Stewart International
- Toronto – Canadian International Air Show
- St. Louis – Spirit of St. Louis Airshow & STEM Expo
- Portland-Hillsboro – The Oregon International Airshow
- Los Angeles (Huntington Beach) – The Great Pacific Airshow
Other public events, display locations and flypasts are still to be set, with engagement opportunities planned from coast-to-coast. Further announcements will follow as confirmations are made.
The Red Arrows are renowned as one of the world’s premier aerobatic display teams, having performed almost 5,000 times in 57 countries since 1965.
Flying nine BAE Systems Hawk fast-jets, the team showcases the excellence of the RAF and demonstrates the global reach and capability of the service, together with representing the best of Britain at home and overseas.
Previous tours by the Red Arrows, including to the Middle and Far East, have helped generate important investment and sales for the U.K. across a range of sectors.
“The Red Arrows have a rich tradition of working with the GREAT Britain Campaign and DIT to promote trade, investment, tourism and education, all while presenting a positive impression of the U.K.,” said U.K. international trade secretary Dr. Liam Fox. “Their tour of North America will provide an invaluable opportunity to deepen the partnership with some of our closest allies and trading partners.”
Preparations are already being carried out to create a memorable and visually-exciting display to be enjoyed by people watching throughout the latest deployment.
“Confirming this initial group of display locations where we will perform in North America is not just exciting for those people hoping to attend these events–but also for the whole Red Arrows team as well,” said Martin Pert, squadron leader and team leader of the RAF aerobatic team. “However, the air display is only half the story–much of our activity in support of U.K. interests overseas is centred on considerable ground engagement.”
After displaying at the Royal International Air Tattoo, between July 19 and July 21 in the U.K., the Red Arrows will undertake a short period of maintenance and preparation before departing for North America.
Please check the Red Arrows’ social media channels for further details on the North America tour as they are released.
I am surprised that the red arrows are not coming to the abbotsford airshow, which is the largest airshow in Canada!
They are not going to Abbotsford because no one has ever heard of it.
Where are the red arrows flying from for Canadian exibition in toronto this weekend?