A tour of North America supporting UK interests by the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team has been recognised by the airshow community.
The Red Arrows received a major accolade at the annual convention of the International Council of Air Shows (ICAS).
The organisation brings together event organisers, performers, regulatory authorities, marketing experts and others involved with the industry.
For the success and impact of the recent 22,000-mile tour of Canada and the United States, the Red Arrows were presented with the Bob Hoover Wingman Award.
In recognition, ICAS said: “Conceived, implemented and executed in a comparatively short time, the team’s 11-week, 25-location deployment was universally well-received by the North American airshow community.
“The team combined traditional airshow performances with non-standard fly-bys and enhanced flypasts to maximise their impact during a tour that was focused on supporting UK trade, business and defence industry initiatives in the United States and Canada.”
Red 10, Squadron Leader Adam Collins, collected the award on behalf of the team.
It was presented by Lt Col John Caldwell, Commander/Leader of the US Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds, and Kevin Elliott of the Great Pacific Airshow, which was one of the locations where the Red Arrows performed.
Sqn Ldr Collins said: “Thank you to ICAS and the airshow community across North America for this award, which is amazing to receive and a wonderful way to mark one of the Red Arrows’ biggest-ever tours.
“Working with aviation authorities, national display teams, event organisers and air traffic control, we were permitted to paint the skies red, white and blue and over some of the most iconic landmarks in the US and Canada – providing us all with life-long memories.”
Past recipients of the ICAS award include Sue Gardner, Rudy Malnati, Ross Perot Jr., Mike Houghton and the US Air Force Heritage Flight Foundation.
