Three pilots are saying farewell after the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team’s 2025 campaign came to an official close this week.
The Red Arrows’ spectacular season featured displays across the UK and overseas, performing to millions of people in 56 shows and visiting 12 countries.
During the last few days, final sorties were flown at RAF Waddington, Lincolnshire, by this year’s team members.
They include three pilots who are leaving the Red Arrows having completed their tours of duty – Squadron Leaders Tom Hansford and Graeme Muscat and Flight Lieutenant Rich Walker.
Sqn Ldr Hansford, who joined the team for the 2023 season and has most recently flown in the Red 6 position as the Synchro Leader, said there had been many standout moments during his time with the Red Arrows.
He said: “My first public event, as a Red Arrows pilot, couldn’t really get any bigger – it was a flypast over London for the Coronation of His Majesty The King.
“It’s still hard to comprehend the number of people worldwide who watched that moment.
“Another highlight came this year when, as a team, we met and performed for the King of Spain at the San Javier Airshow.
“It really emphasised for me the power of the Red Arrows to fly the flag for the UK at the highest levels.”
Squadron Leader Tom Hansford
Red 6
“Also very memorable was the journey to Canada and back for our Maple Hawk tour last year, especially seeing the huge size and scale of the Greenland icecap as we staged across the Atlantic.
“But, much closer to home, knowing my children and wider family were watching during RAF Waddington’s Families’ Day displays has been very special.”
Sqn Ldr Hansford, who was born in Inverness and grew up in Aberdeenshire, said the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team’s (RAFAT) aim of inspiring others had been a very rewarding part of the role.
He said: “I have been very fortunate to be able to realise my childhood dream of being a Red Arrows pilot.
“Hopefully the future generations who watch us fly might be inspired to go for their dreams whether in the RAF, aviation or elsewhere.”
Also hanging up his red suit, after four seasons, is Sqn Ldr Graeme Muscat.
As Red 10, he has supervised each display from the ground and been the “voice” of the Red Arrows – providing commentary to crowds at every show.
The unique role also involves flying Circus 10, a visual communicator responsible for taking imagery.
Sqn Ldr Muscat said: “The whole four years has been incredible from start to finish.
“In the air, it’s the photochasing that’s been most memorable – being able to capture iconic images such as with the Emirates Airbus A380 over Dubai, the team landing in Cyprus at dusk and flypasts over so many landmarks and cities – Niagara Falls, Toronto’s CN Tower and with a Lancaster bomber in Canada to name just a few.
“Planning and capturing those images is really fulfilling.
“On the ground, it’s been the engagement that I’ve enjoyed the most, particularly inspiring the next generation.
“Having not joined the RAF as a pilot, I always say to those looking for advice is never give up on your dream – they don’t come true without hard work, persistence, self-belief and determination.
“The best part of my role has been the opportunity to meet so many people.”
Squadron Leader Graeme Muscat
Red 10
“All of the feedback from airshow fans has been amazing and the comments and kind words about the style of commentary and what I’ve been able to bring to the role has been very humbling.
“The public have been incredibly supportive, friendly, engaging and warm and I really will miss seeing the regular faces and the new ones at every single event.”
He added: “I do also have to mention meeting Tom Cruise at an airshow in 2022 as something I’ll never forget! He was an absolute gent.”
Born in Great Sutton, Cheshire, Sqn Ldr Muscat joined the RAF in 1995.
Following his time flying the Hawk T1 with the Red Arrows, he is now moving back to a role operating the newer T2 version of the fast-jet trainer.
He said: “I’m off back to RAF Valley to continue to train and inspire the next generation of fast-jet pilots – but with a slight twist.
“I’ll be taking over as Central Flying School Fast-Jet Examiner which effectively means, as well as training the new fast-jet pilots, I’ll also be responsible for ensuring all fast-jet instructors achieve and maintain the high standards expected of the UK Armed Forces.
“I will miss being part of the Red Arrows and, above all, the teamwork – the way the whole RAFAT team pull together to make whatever we have going on, work.
“Everyone believes in the output, everyone is proud of what RAFAT does and it’s rare that you get one team pulling in that same direction.”
Oxford-born Flt Lt Walker is leaving after three seasons – flying initially as Red 2 and then Red 8 over the last two years.
He said: “Seeing the Red Arrows display is one of my earliest memories of deciding I needed to fly and join the RAF.
“After a varied and challenging operational and training career, I wanted to take the opportunity to fly probably the most demanding military pure flying discipline and hopefully inspire other youngsters to consider a career in the RAF.”
Red Arrows pilots are all experienced RAF officers who must have previously flown operationally, in aircraft such as the Typhoon or F-35, before applying for the team.
They typically spend about three years with the RAFAT and then return to the frontline, instructing or a staff role.
Red Arrows flying will now pause for two weeks, before the 2026 team begin a seven-month training phase building a new aerobatic display for next year.
