During seven seasons with the Red Arrows, Wing Commander Adam Collins flew over famous landmarks and took part in huge national occasions – most notably the Coronation.
But reflecting on his time with Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team (RAFAT), including as Officer Commanding (OC), he said the highlight was the chance to work alongside “the most professional and dedicated” people of his 27-year Service career.
Wg Cdr Collins has just completed his three-year tour in charge of the team – handing over to Wg Cdr Sasha Nash.
It was the second of his two tours with the Lincolnshire-based unit, having previously served as Red 10 – the team supervisor and commentator – across four seasons.
He said there were many standout moments but it was seeing, first-hand, the commitment and output of the 150 people in the entire Red Arrows team, spanning both air and ground crew, that had been the most cherished.
Wg Cdr Collins said: “Despite having had many amazing experiences flying a red jet all around the world, taking part in some incredible events and meeting everyone from young aviation enthusiasts to royalty, the highlight of my time on the team is working with the most professional, dedicated and hardworking people in my career.
“The challenges of maintaining and operating the Hawk T1 are very different from that of an F-35 or an A400. Whether we are training or displaying for the public, we are routinely launching nine or more aircraft simultaneously, three or four times per day, often away from our home base.
“From pilots to engineers and the many support roles on the team, everyone goes the extra mile to ensure that as many of the public as possible are able to be entertained and inspired by both watching our displays and flypasts as well as engaging with our personnel on the ground.”
Originally from the West Midlands, Wg Cdr Collins studied at Southampton University before joining the RAF.
He graduated from initial officer training at RAFC Cranwell in 2000 and was selected to fly fast-jets.
Tours operating the Tornado GR4 on the frontline and exercises worldwide followed, as well as flying the F-111, on exchange with the Royal Australian Air Force.
He first joined the Red Arrows as Red 10 in time for the 2018 season – a year marking the RAF’s centenary.
Airshow crowds became familiar with his voice as team commentator, supervising from the ground, at events across the UK and beyond, providing insight and information on the display over the next four seasons.
He said: “I have been fortunate enough to supervise and commentate displays all over the world as well as representing the Red Arrows and the RAF at high-profile events including the G7 summit in 2021 and during Their Majesties’ State Visit to Italy last year.
“But the real honour has been to assume command of such a well-known military unit, regarded by many as a national treasure, representing the RAF and the United Kingdom.
“The role of OC RAFAT is unique. Command of any unit in the military is an absolute privilege, but being the Officer Commanding of the Red Arrows brings with it a huge variety of opportunities, experiences and challenges that can’t be found in any other job.”
Wing Commander Adam Collins
Former OC RAFAT and Red 10
“Being responsible for the safety, welfare and output of a diverse team of regular, reserve and civilian personnel is an honour but, unlike other RAF squadrons, the output of the team is constantly in the public eye, through in-person displays and engagement and also through the media in its many forms.”
One of the more unusual, yet crucial, parts of being either Red 10 or OC RAFAT is piloting a jet in a big flypast and other important occasions.
The flights often involve taking a member of the Red Arrows’ imagery team in the rear-cockpit of the two-seat Hawk aircraft.
These sorties require great teamwork and understanding – to ensure the jet is in the right place, at the right time and in a position to allow the photographer to get the best shot of the main Red Arrows formation.
Wg Cdr Collins said: “Photo-chasing, especially during the North America tour in 2019, has given me so many vivid memories of flying over famous landmarks, such as Niagara Falls, New York and the Golden Gate Bridge.
“The views from my cockpit, whilst working so closely with our team of photographers, will remain with me forever!
“I have also been fortunate enough to take part in several major flypasts including His Majesty’s Coronation – a unique occasion in less-than-ideal weather conditions over London in 2023 and probably one of the most challenging flypasts undertaken by the team in recent years!
“Another rewarding experience has been the opportunity to take many different people flying in the back seat of a red jet, from service personnel to TV presenters and movie stars allowing them to briefly experience the thrills and demands of the Red Arrows and fast-jet flying for themselves.”
During Wg Cdr Collins’ time with the Red Arrows, he has taken part in several engagement events overseas – from big tours to the United States, Canada and the Gulf region to airshows and flypasts staged by countries right across mainland Europe.
He said the capability and role of the team, when supporting UK interests away from home, is potent and unique.
Wg Cdr Collins said: “Although the Red Arrows are most well-known for inspiring and entertaining through our displays and flypasts, we have a vital role representing the UK on the global stage.
“Whereas frontline squadrons of Typhoons and F-35s project ‘hard power’ on operations, the Red Arrows are a powerful tool for ‘soft power’, influencing audiences and leaders throughout the world and promoting the ‘best of British’ with our red, white and blue trails in the sky.
“Red Arrows’ participation in overseas tours and airshows are combined with campaigns from in-country British Embassies and High Commissions, resulting in considerable interest and investment in the UK.”
However, returning to the dedication of the entire Red Arrows team in a final look back to his time with the RAFAT, Wg Cdr Collins said it was the hard work of the RAF Waddington-based air and ground crews that was truly “inspirational”.
He said: “During my three years as Officer Commanding, I could not have asked for anything more from our people.
“The professionalism, enthusiasm and dedication shown by the entire team during my tour has been inspirational to me and to many others.
“As I hand over command to Wg Cdr Nash, I would like to wish her all the very best for the future and am confident that under her leadership, the Red Arrows will continue to demonstrate our recipe of precision, excellence and teamwork across the globe. Eclat.”
