The Royal Air Force has appointed a new Officer Commanding to lead the world-famous Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team.
Wing Commander Sasha Nash has taken over command of the team, which is widely known as the Red Arrows. In her new position she is responsible for the entire unit, including the pilots, engineers and support staff who together form the roughly 150-strong organisation.
Nash succeeds Wing Commander Adam Collins, who has completed a three-year period in charge following several previous roles with the team. His tenure included the Red Arrows’ 60th anniversary celebrations and an overseas deployment to Canada.
Originally from Surrey, Nash joined the Royal Air Force in 2005 and has extensive fast-jet experience. During her operational flying career she flew the Panavia Tornado GR4 and took part in exercises around the world. Before taking up command of the aerobatic team, she served as Chief of Staff within the RAF’s Display Wing headquarters.
As Officer Commanding, Nash oversees every aspect of the Red Arrows’ activities, from display planning and safety to engineering support and public engagement. The team’s flying display is led separately by “Red 1”, the formation leader who designs and directs the aerobatic routine.
Preparations for the upcoming display season are already underway, with public appearances typically beginning in late spring as the team resumes its schedule of airshows and events across the UK and overseas.
The Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team is gearing up for a packed summer schedule, unveiling a revamped display packed with even more intricate formations, loops, and rolls that promise to captivate audiences across the UK and mainland Europe.
Following a rigorous pre-season training programme and a thorough annual assessment, the Red Arrows have officially earned their Public Display Authority for 2025, signalling the start of an action-packed calendar of over 60 public appearances and flypasts set between May and October.
Months of meticulous preparation by the entire squadron have brought the team to this point, and the pilots and crew alike are eager to take to the skies and reconnect with aviation fans, both in person at events and through the many photographs and videos shared online.
The forthcoming season marks the 61st summer campaign for the Red Arrows, with the new display routine featuring fresh manoeuvres and updated formations to maintain its status as one of the world’s premier aerobatic displays. Notable additions include the impressive Big Battle arrival, the elegant Swan Loop, and the dynamic Typhoon Roll.
The first half of the performance showcases the largest and most expansive formations in the Red Arrows’ repertoire, such as the Big Vixen flown with air brakes extended and near full power to inject extra drama and vibrancy. The distinctive 5/4 Split, reintroduced last season after a 20-year hiatus, will return adorned with striking red, white, and blue colours.
Spectators will also witness innovative moves from the rear section of the team, known as Hanna, including the daring Chainsaw manoeuvre where two jets fly inverted at 380mph head-to-head, while their wingmen pass within a hair’s breadth of 30 metres.
A highlight of the 2025 display is the grand finale, the Palm Split, where all nine jets will be visible to the crowd. This spectacular formation sees the front five jets of the Enid section joined by Reds 8 and 9 forming a palm tree shape, with Reds 6 and 7 executing opposition barrel rolls at the base to deliver a breathtaking conclusion rarely seen in recent years.
Training began at RAF Waddington in November, before moving overseas in March for Exercise Springhawk, first in Zadar, Croatia, then at Tanagra in Greece. The move abroad provides more stable weather and allows the team to conduct up to 15 flights per week, honing every detail of the routine while fostering close collaboration between pilots and ground crew.
The Public Display Authority assessment involved a comprehensive review of operational safety, engineering standards, display execution, and public engagement strategies.
With the PDA granted, pilots transitioned from their training green coveralls to the iconic red flying suits, while the ground crew donned their distinctive blue display coveralls, marking the official start of the display season.
The 140-strong support team of engineers, operations and mission support staff, public relations specialists, RAF visual communicators, and survival equipment technicians form the backbone of the team’s success.
The Red Arrows look forward to inspiring and entertaining crowds of all ages this summer, commencing with a poignant flypast over the Commonwealth Cemetery at Souda, Crete, followed by their first aerobatic display of the season at the Midlands Air Festival on 30 May.
