Red Arrows Give an ‘Illustrious’ Display - Tuesday 13 May 2008

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Whilst in the Mediterranean, the Red Arrows treated the team onboard the Strike aircraft carrier, HMS Illustrious, to a display by their unmistakable formation of nine Hawks on 12 May 08, whilst at anchor off Cyprus.

After transiting the Suez Canal and leaving the Indian Ocean behind, HMS Illustrious is now in the Mediterranean and nearly on the homeward leg of her deployment. But not until she has hosted a Royal Reception in Istanbul, which will be attended by Her Majesty the Queen, His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh, and the President of Turkey Abdullah Gul.

The Red Arrows are at their usual pre-season training camp in Cyprus, which gave Illustrious this unique opportunity. The team in the Operations Room also used the occasion to test their skills and successfully track all nine of the Hawks as they approached the Ship to do their fly past.

On the display, Flight Lieutenant Clare Chalmers who is ones of the Ship’s Officers said:
“Seeing the Red Arrows today was awesome. After a long deployment it’s always nice to be going home, but it was a real privilege to be treated to a personal display from the Red Arrows.”

Illustrious will return to the UK later in May after a deployment of over 4 months to the Indian Ocean. Granada TV have made a 6 part documentary about the deployment for Channel 5, which starts at 9pm on Monday 19th May.

Photographs:  Christine Wood, Darby Allen.

Image one:  (Larger size) Red Arrows give an ‘illustrious’ display as the strike carrier prepares for royal visit.

Image two:  (Larger size)  Red Arrows display over HMS Illustrious.

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