One of the most experienced Red Arrows pilots of all time has flown his final display.
Wing Commander Jon Bond said leading the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team (RAFAT) had been the “greatest honour” of his career.
The former frontline Typhoon pilot officially comes to the end of his three-year tour as Red 1 today [Friday, October 16].
Also saying farewell following the 2026 season are Reds 4 and 5 – Squadron Leader Chris McCann and Flight Lieutenant Dustin Wales respectively.
The three pilots’ time with the team covered an extremely high-profile chapter for the Red Arrows, including performing for millions of people across the United Kingdom, successful tours to the United States and Canada plus celebrating the RAFAT’s 60th anniversary season.
Wg Cdr Bond said: “To have been trusted to lead a team with such history and significance has been the greatest honour of my career.
“I've been incredibly fortunate. The opportunities that come with being part of the Red Arrows are extraordinary and I’ve been lucky enough to experience some truly unforgettable moments.
“I've flown on three transatlantic tours and two visits to the Gulf region, taken part in major national occasions such as HM The Queen's Platinum Jubilee, RAF100 and the Euro 2020 final flypast over Wembley.
“Later, I had the privilege of leading formations for events including the D-Day 80 commemorations, HM The King’s Birthday Flypasts above London, State Visits and taking the team to New York for the 250th anniversary of American independence.”
Originally from Essex, Wg Cdr Bond joined the RAF in 2006 and first flew as a Red Arrows pilot in 2018.
He went on to complete five seasons in various team positions, including leading the Synchro Pair – the pilots responsible for creating the famous Heart shape in shows.
Returning as Team Leader for the 2024 season, he rebuilt a nine-aircraft formation for the Red Arrows’ diamond anniversary year.
Although there are a small handful of other officers who have been with the Red Arrows for a similar length of time through a combination of both pure flying and supervisory roles, it is thought Wg Cdr Bond’s total of eight seasons is a record as a pilot in one of the display positions of Reds 1-9.
He said: “While you may have your own number and position, nobody in the team succeeds alone.
“The Red Arrows are built on teamwork, and I've always felt that my role was simply to play my part in a story that's been going on for more than 60 years as a temporary custodian of the red suit.”
Wing Commander Jon Bond
Red 1
“It's easy to look at a display lasting 22 minutes and see only the finished product but behind every display is a huge team of engineers, support staff and specialists who care deeply about getting the job done well.”
He added: “If there is one thing I would ask, it is that we continue to enjoy and appreciate the show.
“The Red Arrows have been a constant, cherished part of the national fabric for generations and every season is the product of an enormous collective effort by people from across the RAF.
“There will always be changes and challenges each year. But there are even more opportunities to focus, instead, on what really matters – to celebrate and take pride in seeing this iconic team represent the UK in an unrivalled way.
“What I'm particularly proud of from the 2026 season is that we didn't stand still, despite reducing aircraft numbers in the formation to seven jets.
“We introduced manoeuvres not seen for many years and developed a new finale, Cascade, showing that the team continues to evolve while respecting its traditions and changing resources.”
Wg Cdr Bond said he was very grateful to those who have backed the team during his time flying as a Red Arrows pilot.
He said: “Thank you for supporting the team, for continuing to believe in what the Red Arrows represent and for letting me be part of something special that means so much, to so many.”
Wg Cdr Bond also paid tribute to the two other departing Red Arrows pilots following the conclusion of the 2026 season.
He said Sqn Ldr McCann and Flt Lt Wales had been “utter professionals”.
The outgoing Red 1 said: “They have had three brilliant seasons with the Red Arrows and supported me and others without hesitation – showing a constant strive for excellence in all that they do in-the-air and on-the-ground.
“Both Chris and Dusty have epitomised the squadron motto of éclat and will excel in what they go on to do next.”
Flt Lt Wales, who flew in the Red 5 position for 2026, said: “Having the opportunity to meet so many people at shows and events who are avid supporters of the team has been a real treat and extremely humbling.
“I never expected quite so many people to be so invested and supportive of the team and seeing what the Red Arrows mean to people both at home and abroad was incredible.
“Thank you to everyone I have had the pleasure of serving with on the team and thank you to everyone who has come along to watch the display and show your support, without you there would be no Red Arrows.”
Flt Lt Wales is now moving back to the RAF’s Typhoon force after completing his time with the Red Arrows.
Being part of the team had provided “some of the most exciting, demanding and rewarding flying of my career to date”, he reflected.
He said: “Landing in small remote airfields in Greenland and northern Canada as we crossed the Atlantic gave me a chance to see parts of the world I would never likely have seen. To see how untouched some of those places are was a thing of beauty and made me feel very small among a vast landscape of forests, ice fields and lakes.
“Flying-wise city-based displays such as the ones in Toronto, Baltimore and flypasts down the Hudson, Chicago, Washington, Niagara Falls and Ottawa are some of the most memorable locations, if nothing else because they are places a military jet pilot would never normally fly.”
Sqn Ldr McCann flew as Red 4 in 2026 and came to the team having a wealth of experience on the Hawk T1 – having previously flown the jet in an aggressor role with 100 Squadron.
Originally from Lancashire, he said: “I will miss being part of the Red Arrows team – it’s been an incredible part of my career and afforded some of the most memorable moments.
“The great people, the dynamic flying, the interested places visited and the world-class teamwork all stand out and I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity to have been a member of this special team.”
The Red Arrows completed nearly 40 displays in 2026, culminating in a show at IWM Duxford earlier this month [October 3].
Preparations for next season are already underway with full winter training for 2027 beginning in November.
