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RAF Photographic Competition 2025

13 Nov 2025

 

The RAF Photographic Competition showcases the skill, dedication, and spirit of our people. From aircraft in action to life on the ground, every shot tells a story.

Our photographers captured some incredible moments from across the RAF, and this article will announce the winners of the various categories of the competition. Make sure to come back each day, as this article is being updated to reflect new category winners!

Category A - People

This category showcases life in the RAF.

The results of this category are as follows:

Pilots flying upside down over the countryside.
First Place: AS1 Richard of RAF Leeming with “Enjoy The Little Things”
A member of a Typhoon crew standing on top of the aircraft making final checks.
Second Place: Cpl Sian of RAF Lossiemouth with “Last Checks”
An aviator standin gon the rear ramp of an aircraft looking at the countryside below.
Third Place: Cpl Tom of Viscom Ops with “The Office”

Highly Commended:

An RAF Aviator looking at the camera with her two colleagues celebrating their graduation.
Eleanor of RAF Halton with “Looking Through the Support”
An RAF Regiment Officer looking at the camera.
Andrew of RAF Cranwell with “Regimental”

Category B - RAF Sport

This category showcases our positive attitude to fitness and commitment to resilience.

The results of this category are as follows:

A parachutist on the ground still attached to a parachute with a red smoke flair billowing around them
First Place: AS1 Riley of RAF Waddington with “Drop Zone”
A fencer contrasting against a black background in their white fencing clothing with foil out stretched
Second Place: Cpl Kim of RAF Coningsby with “Attack”
A snow boarder upside down in the air with snow topped mountains in the background
Third Place: AS1 Christian of Viscom Ops with “Send It”

Highly Commended:

An RAF runner in RAF colours comes through the finish line
Luka of RAF Halton with “Friendly Finish”
An RAF Cricketer in RAF whites with a bat over their shoulder with a dark background
Andrew of RAF Cranwell with “Batter Up”

Category C - Current RAF Equipment

This category showcases our specialist equipment.

The results are as follows:

"Pit Stop". A view from the cockpit of a RAF aircraft engaged in air-to-air refuelling. Two aviators, one from the RAF and one German are sat in the cockpit.
Corporal Beth of British Forces South Atlantic Islands with "Pit Stop"
"Sky High". A Hawk T2 in flight against a backdrop of blue skies.
Air Specialist 1 Alex of RAF Valley with "Sky High"
"Heroes of the Skies". A RAF RC-135W in flight over Buckingham Palace, flanked by a pair of F-35s. On the ground below, gathered crowds watch on.
Air Specialist 1 Amelia of RAF Waddington with “Heroes of the Skies”

Highly Commended:

"Speed, Skill, Precision". Eight Hawk T1s of the Red Arrows fly in formation over the sea.
Air Specialist 1 Iwan of Royal Air Force Aerobatics Team with “Speed, Skill, Precision”
"Touch Down". A Hawk T1 of the Red Arrows on a runway, with tall mountains visible in the background. There is heat haze around the aircraft.
Air Specialist 1 Emily of Royal Air Force Aerobatics Team with “Touch Down”

Category D - Technical/Engineering

This category showcases the technical proficiency of our people.

The results are as follows:

"Underneath". An Air Specialist Technician examining the underside of a vehicle. He is lying on his back, supported by a creeper.
Air Specialist 1 Nathan of RAF Benson with “Underneath”
"Poppy Drop". A small miniature model of an RAF Lancaster made of metal is in the foreground. The model also depicts a sea of red poppies spilling from the aircraft, connecting it to the ground.
Richard of RAF Wyton with “Poppy Drop”
"Sparks". An Air Specialist Technician at work welding. Sparks are reflected in their protective visor.
Air Specialist 1 Nathan of RAF Benson with “Sparks”

Highly Commended:

"Escaping the Poppies". A metal figurine of an RAF aviator from the wartime period is positioned amongst many paper Remembrance poppies.
Richard of RAF Wyton with “Escaping the Poppies”
"Welder". An RAF welder hard at work. Orange sparks fly as they do.
Ian of RAF Shawbury with “Welder”

 

Category E - RAF Operations and Exercises

This category showcases the diverse capabilities of the RAF.

The results are as follows:

"When in Rome". Nine Hawk T1s of the Red Arrows flying in formation over the Colosseum in Rome.
Air Specialist 1 Iwan of Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team with "When in Rome"
"Medical Advice". Three RAF Medical personnel in a dark tent. One of them, caught by the light, faces the camera and is sat with a clipboard in their hand.
Andrew of RAF Cranwell with "Medical Advice"
"Cool As Ice". Nine Hawk T1s of the Red Arrows fly in formation over a snowy mountain range.
Air Specialist 1 Iwan of Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team with "Cool As Ice"

Highly Commended:

"Reflections". Seven Hawk T1s of the Red Arrows fly in formation over the sea. The shadows cast by the aircraft and their trails can be seen in the water below.
Air Specialist 1 Iwan of Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team with “Reflections”
"Lightning Strikes". A head-on view of a F-35B on a runway. The glossy surface of the aircraft reflects its surroundings.
Air Specialist 1 Leah of Viscom Ops with “Lightning Strikes”

 

Category F - RAF Feature

"Falkland Islands Tour". A portfolio of photographs taken of an RAF Voyager flight over the Falkland Islands, featuring penguins and snowy mountains.
Corporal Beth of British Forces South Atlantic Islands with “Falkland Islands Tour”
"End of the Hunt". A portfolio of photographs taken of the RAF Puma helicopter during its final flight over London.
Air Specialist 1 Jake of Viscom Ops with “End of the Hunt”
"RAFAT". A portfolio of photographs of the Red Arrows flying in formation over islands and sunlit seas.
Air Specialist 1 Emily of Royal Air Force Aerobatics Team with “RAFAT”

Highly Commended:

"Voyager Refuelling Team". A portfolio of photographs showing the preparations on RAF Akrotiri for an RAF Voyager to take flight.
Air Specialist 1 Ciaran of RAF Akrotiri with “Voyager Refuelling Team”
"Wildcat on the Move". A portfolio of photographs showing an RAF Voyager unloading a Wildcat helicopter from its loading dock, as well as the crew of both aircraft.
Sergeant Lee of Viscom Ops with “Wildcat on the Move”

Category G - Individual Portfolio

This category showcases the breadth of skill and technical expertise amongst our professional photographers.

The results are as follows:

A portfolio of photographs by Air Specialist 1 Amber of RAF Marham. Images focus on F-35Bs in flight and in position on the runway in Singapore, as well as shots of RAF personnel in their day-to-day life, such as stitching patches onto a uniform.
Air Specialist 1 Amber of RAF Marham
A portfolio of photographs by Air Specialist 1 Iwan of the Red Arrows. Images focus on the Red Arrows Display Team on a flight over the sea, as well as shots of the team taking a selfie together afterwards.
Air Specialist 1 Iwan of Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team
A portfolio of photographs by Andrew of RAF Cranwell. Images focus on the range of activities at the station such as boxing and a graduation ceremony. There is also a shot of a Red Arrows display flight.
Andrew of RAF Cranwell

Highly Commended:

A portfolio of photographs by Sergeant Lee of Viscom Ops. There is a range of imagery. There are two photos of an RAF Voyager taking off from a runway, as well as shots of members of both the Falcons and Black Cats Display Teams.
Sergeant Lee of Viscom Ops
A portfolio of photographs by Air Specialist 1 Jake of Viscom Ops. The imagery focuses on Operation Chessman 2025, with shots of RAF Typhoons flying alongside aircraft from both the Polish and Swedish air forces.
Air Specialist 1 Jake of Viscom Ops

Category H - Section Portfolio

This category showcases the diverse spectrum of work across the different locations our professional photographers work from.

The results are as follows:

A portfolio of photographs from the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team. Images focus on the activities of the Red Arrows Display Team - maintaining aircraft, flying in formation, and so on.
Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team
A portfolio of photographs from Viscom Ops. Images focus on a range of RAF aircraft, such as the now retired Puma helicopter, the RAF Voyager, and the F35-B. Also included are images from Operation Chessman of an RAF Typhoon flying alongside Polish aircraft.
Viscom Ops
A portfolio of photographs from RAF Benson. Imagery focuses on a range of RAF helicopters in flight, as well as day-to-day life on the station such as a welder hard at work.
RAF Benson

Highly Commended:

A portfolio of photographs from British Forces South Atlantic Islands. Imagery focuses on aircraft in flight over the Falkland Islands such as an RAF Voyager and a Typhoon, as well as the RAF personnel responsible for their operation during flights.
British Forces South Atlantic Islands
A portfolio of photographs from RAF Waddington. Imagery includes a member of the RAF Regiment looking down the scope of their rifle, a member of the Falcons Display Team smiling at the camera after a successful paraglide drop, and a birds-eye shot of the Red Arrows flying over Buckingham Palace.
RAF Waddington

Category I - The Mallett Student Trophy

This category showcases the emerging talent of our student photographers.

The results are as follows:

A portfolio of photographs by Air Recruit Phoebe of RAF Cosford. Images focus on portraits of RAF personnel including a serving Sergeant, as well as a humorous shot of RAF personnel posing with ironing boards.
Air Recruit Phoebe of RAF Cosford
A portfolio of photographs by Air Specialist 2 Katie of RAF Cosford. Images focus on wildlife, such as a duck on water and a bee on a flower as well as shots of an RAF helicopter and a serviceman stood in an aircraft hangar.
Air Specialist 2 Katie of RAF Cosford
A portfolio of photographs by Air Specialist 2 Nicholas of RAF Waddington. Images focus on the activities of Operation Chessman in Poland, as well as a display team of Red Arrows in flight, and an RAF chef kneading dough.
Air Specialist 2 Nicholas of RAF Waddington

Highly Commended:

A portfolio of photographs by Air Specialist 1 William of RAF Waddington. Images include an RAF Typhoon taking off from a runway, as well as a member of the RAF watching on as an RAF Voyager is preparing to takeoff.
Air Specialist 1 William of RAF Waddington
A portfolio of photographs by Air Specialist 2 Nathan of RAF Northolt. Images include a Chinook helicopter hovering above the ground, as well as other activities RAF personnel engage in such as dirtbiking.
Air Specialist 2 Nathan of RAF Northolt

Category J - Video

This category showcases videos tailored for use across our social media channels, and produced by our professional photographers.

The results are as follows:

In first place, Air Specialist 1 Lewis of Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team with "Photo Chasing the Red Arrows"

In second place, Air Specialist 1 Kirwan of Viscom Ops with "Through the VisCommsEyes"

In third place, Air Specialist 1 Kirwan of Viscom Ops with "Valhalla Awaits"

Highly Commended:

Corporal Tom of Viscom Ops with "Fly to Survive"

Air Specialist 1 Hamilton of RAF Odiham with "Ex PEGASUS TITAN"

 

 

 

 

 

Category K - Amateur

This category showcases the skill of our amateur photographers - members of the public, service dependents, families, and cadets.

The results are as follows:

"F-35". An F-35B in low flight over the countryside, fully banked to its right so that the right wing is perpendicular to the ground.
Billy with "F-35"
"Red Arrows Big Ben Flypast". Nine Hawk T1s of the Red Arrows fly in formation over the clocktower of Big Ben, trailing red, white, and blue smoke.
Owen with “Red Arrows Big Ben Flypast”
"A400M." An RAF A400M in low flight over countryside, flying towards the camera.
Billy with “A400M”

Highly Commended:

"Old But Gold". Three RAF Heritage aircraft fly in formation through cloudy skies. A Lancaster aircraft flies ahead of a Hurricane and a Spitfire.
Matthew with “Old But Gold”
"Flyby". An RAF A400M in flight through cloudy grey skies.
Harry with “Flyby”

Category L - People's Choice

"The Office". An RAF aviator stands on an A400M's rear ramp as it is lowered. Out of the rear ramp, a sparse valley can be seen.
Corporal Tom of Viscom Ops with “The Office"

 

A massive congratulations to all of our entrants - it’s been a great year for our photographers.