Flying high over Buckingham Palace, the Royal Air Force had the pleasure of parading a selection of RAF aircraft to celebrate the Official Birthday of His Majesty King Charles III.
At 13:00 twenty-nine aircraft took to the skies above the crowds on The Mall and over Buckingham Palace, watched over by Their Majesties’ The King and Queen, alongside other members of the Royal family.
The stunning formation was led by four Chinook helicopters from No 18 & 27 Squadrons of RAF Odiham, following the King’s Birthday Parade (Trooping the Colour).
The aircraft came from nine different RAF stations, many of whom flew in the VE80 celebrations in May this year.
It is an enormous privilege to be part of His Majesty The King’s Birthday celebrations, where the Flypast is an opportunity for the Royal Air Force to honour His Majesty The King, our Commander-in-Chief, on the occasion of his Official Birthday.
This year, the flypast will comprise twenty-nine aircraft, including the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, rotary wing assets from the Joint Aviation Command, training aircraft from No.22 Group and front-line aircraft from across No.1 Group representing the Air Mobility, Combat Air and ISTAR Forces; as always the flypast will conclude with the iconic Red Arrows."
Air Vice-Marshal Jackson,
Air Officer Commanding 1 Gp
The aircraft, whose main purpose is to secure our skies and protect our citizens at home and abroad have a broad range of uses. These include training, air transport, lift capabilities, air-to-air refuelling, maritime, humanitarian missions, and fast jet combat.
It is a great honour to be part of an event that will bolster our national pride, and to be part of something much greater than myself. My role will include coordinating with civil air traffic and assisting the safe passage of all the aircraft back to their bases."
Sergeant Mcglasson,
ATC, 78 Sqn
A Lancaster from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, RAF Coningsby followed the Chinooks.
Wing Commander Andrew Watson, a Typhoon pilot and Officer Commanding 12 Squadron had the task of overseeing the whole flypast. The planning for the whole event has been meticulous over many months. The culmination is the spectacle that was seen by millions of people worldwide.
It is a huge personal honour being Mission Commander and coordinating such an impressive array of aircraft fit for His Majesty The King’s Birthday. I cannot be more impressed by the focus and professionalism of both air and ground crew in bringing this spectacle to life.”
Wing Commander Watson,
Mission Commander & OC 12 Sqn
Other aircraft in the formation included a Phenom, Typhoon, an F35 and a C17 Globemaster.
The flypast is also thought to be the first time anywhere in the world that a national aerobatic squadron has switched to both a Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) blend for propulsion and a renewable biofuel - known as Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO). This is a premium quality fuel, with a chemical structure almost identical to the regular diesel traditionally used by the aerobatic team for its vapour trails.
In addition to reducing its carbon footprint, the move demonstrates the RAF's commitment to new technology as well as becoming more energy secure and less reliant on fossil fuels.
The event culminated in a spectacular show of red, white and blue from the pilots of the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows.
It is a privilege to be a member of the Red Arrows. To me, the Red Arrows are an icon of the United Kingdom - so knowing that you had a key role to play in them bringing joy and excitement to thousands of people as they fly over the Mall is something I am incredibly proud of.
As head of all engineering and logistics on the team, I am even more proud to lead the amazing and diverse team of over one hundred ‘Blues’ that not only make major flypasts happen, but work tirelessly for twelve months a year, every year, to deliver a colourful and dynamic aerobatic show.
Working with the smoke generation system is the most unique part of the job. The vibrant vapour that we generate is what sets the team apart and so to be the first team in the world to move to a fully sustainable option is really exciting.”
Squadron Leader King
Snr Engineering Officer, RAF Aerobatic Team
The aircraft of the Armed Forces have a long and proud history of taking part in this occasion, with the first King’s Birthday Flypast taking place in 1913 and most recently formed part of Their Majesties’ Coronation in 2023 and Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022.
The flypast has much poignancy for one of the Chinook pilots, Master Aircrew (MACr) Ruffles. The King’s Birthday Flypast was one of MACr Ruffles’ last flights as he leaves the RAF after forty years’ service and nine thousand hours flying with helicopters.
Being part of the King's Birthday Flypast after forty years of service especially on the 80th anniversary of VE Day is an honour I'll carry with me for many years to come. It's been a test of resilience, teamwork and dedication. But through it all, the bond with my fellow crew members, the sense of purpose and the pride in serving at such a high level has made every moment worthwhile."
Master Aircrew Ruffles
27 Squadron, Chinooks
The King’s Birthday Flypast concluded Trooping the Colour which took place on Horse Guards Parade, a ceremony dating back to the reign of King Charles II, becoming an annual event in 1760. Over 1,400 officers and soldiers form the parade, together with two hundred horses; over four hundred musicians from ten bands and Corps of Drums marched and played in unison.