The Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows, will undertake a major tour of the United States during the summer of 2026 as part of celebrations marking 250 years of American independence.
Announced on 17 May 2026, the deployment forms part of an extensive international display programme for the team, featuring performances across the United Kingdom and overseas. The month-long North American visit will see the Red Arrows participate in a mixture of full aerobatic displays and ceremonial flypasts at some of the United States’ largest aviation and national events.
The team is scheduled to appear in several states throughout June and July, including shows in Maryland, New York, Maine, Michigan and Wisconsin. Among the highlights will be participation in a major international flypast over New York City on July 4, the United States’ Independence Day.
Confirmed 2026 United States Events
- Sail 250 Maryland & Airshow Baltimore, Maryland — June 27–28
- International Aerial Review, New York City — July 4 (flypast only)
- FourLeaf Air Show, Jones Beach, New York — July 5–6
- Great State of Maine Air Show, Brunswick, Maine — July 11–12
- Thunder Over Michigan Air Show, Ypsilanti, Michigan — July 17–19
- EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, Wisconsin — July 24–26
The deployment, officially named Operation Eagle Hawk, is expected to combine precision aerobatic displays with ceremonial appearances tied to the anniversary celebrations. Additional appearances may still be announced.
The wider programme forms part of a broader contribution by the UK Armed Forces to the anniversary commemorations, with planned involvement from the Royal Navy and the Band of His Majesty’s Royal Marines alongside the RAF contingent.
Air Officer Commanding No. 1 Group, Mark Jackson, described the invitation as both an honour and a reflection of the long-standing defence relationship between the United Kingdom and the United States.
“We’re honoured to accept the US military’s invitation for the Red Arrows to participate in these special Fourth of July events in the country’s 250th year.
“The Royal Air Force has a long, proud history of working side-by-side with the Armed Forces of the United States, whether that be on operations and exercises or by joining with other allies as part of NATO.”
He added:
“I hope the Red Arrows’ trademark combination of close formation flying, speed and world-class precision will excite and inspire the hundreds of thousands of people attending these shows.”
The 2026 season will see the Red Arrows balancing their American deployment with appearances at many of the United Kingdom’s best-known airshows and ceremonial events before and after the tour.
The team last toured the United States in 2019, when striking flypasts over New York attracted international attention and large public audiences.
According to the RAF, the tour will not only focus on aerial displays but also extensive engagement on the ground. Educational outreach activities centred on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) are expected to form a major component of the visit, with personnel meeting aspiring aviators and young people across the tour locations.
Sasha Nash, Officer Commanding of the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, said the deployment would showcase British aviation expertise while reinforcing the close relationship between the two countries.
“The whole Red Arrows team are greatly looking forward to visiting the United States – the tour is a fantastic opportunity to display the best of British, at significant events and occasions marking the 250th anniversary, alongside friends, allies and international counterparts.
“The tour will celebrate and underline the enduring relationship between the United Kingdom and our closest security partner.”
She also emphasised the wider inspirational role airshows continue to play on both sides of the Atlantic.
“The power to inspire through aviation is something felt by airshow crowds on both sides of the Atlantic and we’re hoping to meet countless individuals and families at these locations, as well as during a busy programme of ground engagement that forms an important element of the tour and our season as a whole.”
Wing Commander Nash added:
“An enormous amount of work continues to go into the planning for the visit, by teams in the UK and US, and we’re excited and honoured to bring our signature display of red, white and blue to some of the biggest, most well-known airshows and events this summer.”
The Red Arrows are currently completing the final stages of pre-season training ahead of the 2026 display season, with millions expected to watch the RAF team perform throughout the summer in both Britain and North America.
Site Editor’s Note
As the 2026 season progresses, we will aim to provide updates on planned formation transits, routing information and display-related NOTAM activity for the Red Arrows wherever possible.
However, aviation notification procedures in the United States differ significantly from those commonly used in the United Kingdom. Unlike UK display activity — where military formation routes and air display restrictions are often identifiable through publicly accessible NOTAM systems — comparable information for US appearances is typically more limited, less standardised, or released with shorter notice periods.
As a result, detailed transit tracking and advance display-area information is likely to remain focused primarily on UK-based Red Arrows activity, with only limited coverage possible during the North American deployment.