Who is Red 1 in 2026?

Red 1 in 2026 is Wing Commander Jon Bond, who serves as Team Leader and leads every aerobatic display.

Who commands the Red Arrows in 2026?

The Red Arrows are commanded in 2026 by Wing Commander Sasha Nash, Officer Commanding RAFAT — the first woman to hold this role in the team's history.

Who are the Red Arrows Synchro Pair in 2026?

The Synchro Pair in 2026 are Flight Lieutenant George Hobday (Red 6, Synchro Leader) and Flight Lieutenant Ollie Suckling (Red 7).

How do you become a Red Arrows pilot?

To apply for the Red Arrows, RAF pilots must have a minimum of 1,500 flying hours, have completed a frontline operational tour, and be assessed as above average in their flying role. Up to three new pilots are selected each year through a rigorous selection week including flying tests, formal interviews, media assessments and peer review.

Pilots & The Circus 2026

Q: What is the Circus in the Red Arrows?

The Circus is the team of 11 specialist ground crew — ten engineering technicians and one visual communication specialist — who travel with the Red Arrows throughout the display season, servicing the aircraft away from RAF Waddington. The Circus Leader for 2026 is Sergeant David Hawes (Circus 7).

The full Red Arrows 2026 team — every display pilot, Red 10, Officer Commanding, and all 11 Circus ground crew members. Names and roles verified from the official RAF Red Arrows website.

In 2026 standard airshow displays are flown by Reds 1–7. Reds 8 and 9 join for selected nine-aircraft flypasts at national and state occasions only.

🔴 Reds 1–5 — Enid (front section) 🟣 Reds 6–7 — Synchro Pair (Hanna) 🔵 Reds 8–9 — Hanna outer (flypasts only)

✈ Display Pilots — 2026

Red 1

Wg Cdr Jon Bond

Team Leader

Leads the display, calls every manoeuvre and is responsible for all aspects of the training programme.

Red 2

Flt Lt Rob Thomas

Enid

Front section — flies immediately to the left of Red 1.

Red 3

Flt Lt Andrew McEwen

Enid

Front section — first Red Arrows pilot to join having previously flown the F-35B Lightning operationally.

Red 4

Sqn Ldr Chris McCann

Enid

Front section — outer left position.

Red 5

Flt Lt Dustin Wales

Enid

Front section — outer right position, mirroring Red 4.

Red 6

Flt Lt George Hobday

Synchro Leader

Hanna section — leads the Synchro Pair in high-speed opposition manoeuvres.

Red 7

Flt Lt Ollie Suckling

Synchro 2

Hanna section — pairs with Red 6 for opposition and crossing passes.

Red 8

Flt Lt Matt Brighty

Hanna

Hanna section — joins for nine-aircraft flypasts and state occasions.

Red 9

Flt Lt Christopher Deen

Hanna

Hanna section — completes the nine-aircraft formation for selected events.

🎙 Command & Red 10 — 2026

Red 10

Sqn Ldr Stuart Roberts

Supervisor & Commentator

Monitors safety from the ground and provides public commentary at every display.

Wg Cdr Sasha Nash

Officer Commanding

Responsible for all aspects of the team's operations, administration and strategic direction.

🔧 The Circus — Ground Crew 2026

Circus 1

Flt Lt Ben Knight

Flight Commander — Circus 2026

Circus 2

AS1(T) Jordan Cullen

Mechanical Technician

Circus 3

Cpl Adam Winfield

Mechanical Technician

Circus 4

Cpl Liam Bendell

Avionics Technician

Circus 5

Sgt Ashley Croft

Weapons Technician

Circus 6

Cpl Henry Stevens

Mechanical Technician

Circus 7

Sgt David Hawes

Circus Leader 2026

Circus 8

Cpl Lilly Holford

Avionics Technician

Circus 9

Cpl Damon Wilson

Mechanical Technician

Circus 10

AS1 Emily Muir

Visual Communication Specialist

Circus 11

Flt Sgt Steven Lowe

Engineering Manager

🔧 About The Circus

The Circus is a team of ten engineering technicians and one visual communication specialist who travel with the Red Arrows throughout the display season, servicing the aircraft at every location away from RAF Waddington. Each Circus member is allocated to a specific pilot and aircraft for the season.

On selected occasions, Circus members fly in the passenger seat of the Hawk to and from airfields. The unique experience of regularly flying in a fast-jet makes these some of the most sought-after technical postings in the Royal Air Force.

The wider support team — known as the Blues for their royal blue flying suits during the display season — numbers approximately 120 engineering technicians and other support staff, in addition to the Circus.

✈ Pilot Selection

To apply for the Red Arrows, RAF pilots must meet all three criteria:

A minimum of 1,500 flying hours
Completion of a frontline operational tour
An above-average assessment in their flying role

A shortlist of up to nine applicants undergo a rigorous selection week including a flying test, formal interview, media assessment and peer review. Up to three new pilots join the team each year to replace those completing their tours. The Team Leader is appointed through a separate selection process and must have previously completed a full three-year tour as a display pilot.

⭐ Notable Firsts

Flt Lt Kirsty Moore (2010) — First female display pilot to fly with the Red Arrows.

Wg Cdr Sasha Nash (2026) — First woman to serve as Officer Commanding RAFAT in the team's history.

Flt Lt Andrew McEwen (2026) — First Red Arrows pilot to join the team having previously flown a fifth-generation aircraft — the F-35B Lightning — operationally.

Names and roles verified from the official RAF Red Arrows website. Unofficial fan site — not affiliated with the RAF or Ministry of Defence.

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