Editing Red Arrows (section)

==History==

===Predecessors===
The Red Arrows were not the first RAF aerobatics team. An RAF pageant was held at [[Hendon Aerodrome|Hendon]] in 1920 with teams from front-line [[biplane]] squadrons.
[[File:LONDON DEFENDED Torchlight and Searchlight spectacle.jpg|thumb|right|"London Defended" 1925 Official Programme]]
In 1925, [[No. 32 Squadron RAF]] flew an air display six nights a week entitled "London Defended" at the [[British Empire Exhibition]]. Similar to the display they had done the previous year, when the aircraft were painted black, it consisted of a night-time air display over the Wembley Exhibition flying RAF [[Sopwith Snipe]]s which were painted red for the display and fitted with white lights on the wings, tail, and fuselage.  The display involved firing blank ammunition into the stadium crowds and dropping pyrotechnics from the aeroplanes to simulate shrapnel from guns on the ground. Explosions on the ground also produced the effect of bombs being dropped into the stadium by the aeroplanes. One of the pilots in the display was Flying Officer [[C. W. A. Scott]], who later became famous for breaking three England&ndash;Australia solo flight records and winning the [[MacRobertson Air Race]] with co-pilot [[Tom Campbell Black]] in 1934.<ref>Scott, C.W.A. ''Scott's Book, the life and Mildenhall-Melbourne flight of C. W. A. Scott'', London : Hodder & Stoughton, 1934., {{NLA|2361252}} Chapter 3, Aerobatics</ref><ref>''London Defended Torchlight and Searchlight spectacle, The Stadium Wembley 9 May to 1 June 1925 official programme''. London: Fleetway Press</ref>

In 1947, the first jet team of three [[de Havilland Vampire]]s came from [[RAF Odiham]] Fighter Wing. Various teams flew the Vampire, and in 1950, [[No. 72 Squadron RAF|No. 72 Squadron]] was flying a team of seven. [[No. 54 Squadron RAF|No. 54 Squadron]] became the first RAF jet formation team to use smoke trails. Vampires were replaced by [[Gloster Meteor]]s, [[No. 66 Squadron RAF|No. 66 Squadron]] developing a formation team of six aircraft.

[[Hawker Hunter]] aircraft were first used for aerobatics teams in 1955, when [[No. 54 Squadron RAF|No. 54 Squadron]] flew a formation of four.

The official RAF team was provided by [[No. 111 Squadron RAF|No. 111 Squadron]] in 1956, and for the first time, the aircraft had a special colour scheme, which was an all-black finish. After a demonstration in France, they were hailed as "''Les Fleches Noires''" and from then on known as the [[Black Arrows]]. This team became the first team to fly a five-Hunter formation. In 1958, the Black Arrows performed a loop and [[barrel roll]] of 22 Hunters, a world record for the greatest number of aircraft looped in formation. The Black Arrows were the premier team until 1961, when the Blue Diamonds ([[No. 92 Squadron RAF|No. 92 Squadron]]) continued their role, flying 16 blue Hunters.

In 1960, the Tigers ([[No. 74 Squadron RAF|No. 74 Squadron]]) were re-equipped with the supersonic [[English Electric Lightning]] and performed wing-overs and rolls with nine aircraft in tight formation. They sometimes gave co-ordinated displays with the Blue Diamonds. Yet another aerobatics team was formed in 1960 by [[No. 56 Squadron RAF|No. 56 Squadron]], the Firebirds, with nine red and silver Lightnings.

In 1964, the [[Red Pelicans]], flying six [[BAC Jet Provost]] T Mk 4s, assumed the role of the RAF's leading display team. In that same year, a team of five yellow Gnat trainers from [[No. 4 Flying Training School RAF|No 4 Flying Training School]] displayed at the [[Farnborough Airshow]]. This team became known as the Yellowjacks after Flight Lieutenant Lee Jones's call sign, "Yellowjack".

In 1964, all the RAF display teams were amalgamated, as it was feared pilots were spending too much time practising formation aerobatics rather than operational training. The new team name took the word "red" from the fact that the Red Pelicans' planes had been painted red (for safety reasons, as it was a far clearer and more visible colour in the sky) and "arrows" after the Black Arrows.<ref name="Team History">{{cite web |url=http://www.raf.mod.uk/reds/history/teamhistory.cfm |title=Team History |year=2012 |publisher=Royal Air Force Arrows |access-date=3 July 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120610040701/http://www.raf.mod.uk/reds/history/teamhistory.cfm |archive-date=10 June 2012 }}</ref>

===Establishment===
[[File:Hawker Siddeley Gnat T1, UK - Air Force AN2239232.jpg|thumb|left|[[Folland Gnat|Gnat T.1s]] on the flightline at [[RAF Kemble]] in 1973]]

The Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the formal name of the Red Arrows, began life at [[RAF Little Rissington]] in Gloucestershire, then the [[Central Flying School]] before moving to [[RAF Fairford]]. The Red Arrows moved to RAF Kemble, now [[Cotswold Airport]], in 1966 after RAF Fairford became the place of choice for [[British Aircraft Corporation|BAC]] to run test flights for the [[Concorde]] supersonic airliner.<ref>{{cite web |title=10 amazing Red Arrows facts to impress your friends with |url=https://yourairport.co.uk/2017/07/19/10-amazing-red-arrows-facts/ |publisher=London Biggin Hill |access-date=27 October 2019}}</ref> When [[RAF Scampton]] (near [[Lincoln, England|Lincoln]]) became the CFS headquarters in 1983, the Red Arrows moved there. As an economy measure, Scampton closed in 1995, so the Red Arrows moved {{convert|20|mi}} to [[RAF Cranwell]]; however, as they still used the air space above Scampton, the emergency facilities and runways had to be maintained. On 21 December 2000, the Red Arrows returned to RAF Scampton.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lincolnshire.org/red-arrows/|access-date=29 January 2020|title=History of the RAF Red Arrows|date=August 2012}}</ref> On 13 October 2022, the Red Arrows moved to their new base at [[RAF Waddington]].<ref name=RAFWaddington />

The first team, led by [[Flight Lieutenant]] Lee Jones, had seven display pilots and flew the Folland Gnat T1 jet trainer. The first display in the UK was on 6 May 1965, at Little Rissington for a press day. At the subsequent National Air Day display, three days later, at [[Clermont Ferrand]] in France, one French journalist described the team as "''Les Fleches Rouges''", confirming the name "The Red Arrows". By the end of their first season, the Red Arrows had displayed 65 times in Britain, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Germany, and Belgium and were awarded the [[Britannia Trophy]] by the [[Royal Aero Club]] for their contribution to aviation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://royalaeroclub.co.uk/medals-and-awards.php?id=34|access-date=29 January 2020|title=The Britannia Trophy}}</ref>
[[File:British Aerospace Hawk T1, UK - Air Force AN1355498.jpg|thumb|right|[[BAE Hawk|Hawk T.1s]] on the flightline at [[RAF Mildenhall]] in 1985]]

In 1968, the then team leader (Sqn Ldr [[Ray Hanna]]) expanded the team from seven to nine jets, as he wanted to expand the team's capabilities and the permutations of formation patterns. During this season,  the 'Diamond Nine' pattern was formed and it has remained the team's trademark pattern ever since. Ray Hanna served as Red Leader for three consecutive years until 1968 and was recalled to supersede Squadron Leader Timothy Nelson for the 1969 display season, a record four seasons as Leader, which still stands.<ref>{{cite news | title = Ray Hanna Recalled to Red Arrows | url = http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1969/1969%20-%202346.html | publisher = Flight International | date = 26 June 1969 | access-date = 12 August 2009 | url-status = live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121020065922/http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1969/1969%20-%202346.html | archive-date = 20 October 2012 }}</ref> For his considerable achievements of airmanship with the team, Ray Hanna was awarded a bar to his existing [[Air Force Cross (United Kingdom)|Air Force Cross]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.flightglobal.com/death-announced-of-ex-red-arrows-leader-ray-hanna/64301.article|access-date=29 January 2020|title=Death announced of ex-Red Arrows leader Ray Hanna}}</ref>

After displaying 1,292 times in the [[Folland Gnat]], the Red Arrows took delivery of the [[BAE Hawk]] in 1979. Since being introduced into service with the Red Arrows, the Hawk has performed with the Red Arrows in 50 countries.

===Later years===
[[File:RAF Red Arrows perform the Spaghetti Break over Scampton.jpg|thumb|upright|Red Arrows perform a manoeuvre called the "Spaghetti Break" over RAF Scampton, September 2015]]
In July 2004, speculation surfaced in the British media that the Red Arrows would be disbanded, after a defence spending review, due to running costs  between £5 million and £6 million.<ref>{{cite news |title=Why everyone loves the Red Arrows |first=Jonathan |last=Duffy |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/3908187.stm |newspaper=BBC News |date=20 July 2004 |access-date=16 April 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090220125454/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/3908187.stm |archive-date=20 February 2009 }}</ref> The Arrows were not disbanded and their expense has been justified through their public relations benefit of helping to develop business in the defence industry and promoting recruitment for the RAF. According to the [[BBC]], disbanding the Red Arrows will be highly unlikely, as they are a considerable attraction throughout the world. This was reiterated by [[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|Prime Minister]] [[David Cameron]] on 20 February 2013,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-21514999 |title=Red Arrows 'future safe under David Cameron' |publisher=BBC News |date=20 February 2013 |access-date=20 February 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130221180620/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-21514999 |archive-date=21 February 2013 }}</ref> when he guaranteed the estimated £9m per annum costs while visiting India to discuss a possible sale of Hawk aircraft to be used by India's military aerobatics team, the [[Surya Kiran]].

With the planned closure of RAF Scampton, the future home of the Red Arrows became uncertain. On 20 May 2008, months of speculation were ended when it was revealed that the [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]] (MoD) were moving the Red Arrows to nearby [[RAF Waddington]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Red Arrows moving to new RAF base  |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/lincolnshire/7412074.stm |newspaper=BBC News |date=21 May 2008 |access-date=16 April 2011}}</ref> However, in December 2011, those plans were put under review.<ref>{{cite news |title=Red Arrows RAF Scampton move plan to be reviewed |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-16205679 |newspaper=BBC News |date=16 December 2011 |access-date=18 February 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120222215408/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-16205679 |archive-date=22 February 2012 }}</ref> The MoD confirmed in June 2012 that the Red Arrows would remain at RAF Scampton until at least the end of the decade. Scampton's runway was resurfaced as a result.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/EstateAndEnvironment/RafUnitsToRemainAtScampton.htm |title=RAF units to remain at Scampton |date=18 June 2012 |work=Estate and Environment |publisher=Ministry of Defence |access-date=26 June 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120622010237/http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/EstateAndEnvironment/RafUnitsToRemainAtScampton.htm |archive-date=22 June 2012 }}</ref>

In July 2018 the RAF announced that RAF Scampton, the wartime base of [[No. 617 Squadron RAF|No. 617 Squadron]] also known as ''The Dambusters'', would close by 2022.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-44936234|title=Red Arrows air base to be sold off|work=BBC News|date=24 July 2018|access-date=28 July 2018}}</ref> In March 2019, the MoD indicated that RAF Waddington, alongside [[RAF Leeming]] and [[RAF Wittering]], was being considered as their future home.<ref>{{Cite news |date=18 March 2019 |title=Three choices for new Red Arrows base |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-47617062 |access-date=19 March 2019}}</ref> It was confirmed in May 2020 that Waddington had been selected.<ref>{{Cite news |date=18 May 2020 |title=Red Arrows moving to RAF Waddington from RAF Scampton |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-52709531 |access-date=19 May 2020}}</ref> The move was completed on 13 October 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |date=13 October 2022 |title=RAF Red Arrows move to new Lincolnshire home |url=https://www.raf.mod.uk/our-organisation/stations/raf-waddington/news/raf-red-arrows-move-to-new-lincolnshire-home/ |access-date=21 October 2022 |website=Royal Air Force |language=en-gb}}</ref> The Red Arrows will continue to use airspace above RAF Scampton for their training.

===Misconduct inquiry===
In December 2021, [[Chief of the Air Staff (United Kingdom)|Chief of the Air Staff]] [[Mike Wigston]] ordered an RAF inquiry into the Red Arrows, which ''[[The Times]]'' later reported related to allegations of bullying, [[misogyny]], sexual harassment and drunkenness. Up to 40 personnel on the squadron, many of whom were female, described the culture as "toxic".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Grierson |first1=Jamie |title=Red Arrows members investigated over alleged inappropriate behaviour |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/aug/24/red-arrows-members-investigated-over-alleged-inappropriate-behaviour |access-date=22 November 2022 |work=The Guardian |date=24 August 2022}}</ref> While the inquiry was ongoing some pilots left, leaving a smaller display team.<ref name=bbc-20220824>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-62664654 |title=Red Arrows: What is going wrong at the RAF? |last=Beale |first=Jonathan |work=BBC News |date=24 August 2022 |access-date=24 August 2022}}</ref><ref name=times-20220824>{{cite news |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/defence/article/red-arrows-engulfed-by-bullying-and-assault-row-wldnbp6zx |title=Pilots removed in Red Arrows bullying and assault row |last=Brown |first=Larisa |newspaper=[[The Times]] |location=London |url-access=subscription |date=24 August 2022 |access-date=24 August 2022}}</ref> An inquiry delivered in November 2022 concluded that at least two pilots from the team had enough of a service case against them to warrant their discharge from the service.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sheridan |first1=Danielle |title=Red Arrows sacked after inquiry into toxic culture |work=The Daily Telegraph |issue=52,103 |date=19 November 2022 |page=14|issn=0307-1235}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/defence/article/another-red-arrows-pilot-sacked-for-bad-behaviour-0m32zdcqq|title=Another Red Arrows pilot sacked for bad behaviour|website=[[The Times]]|date=19 November 2022|access-date=26 November 2022}}</ref> In November 2022 it was announced that the commanding officer had been suspended for investigations.<ref>{{cite news |title=Red Arrows commanding officer suspended as RAF investigates claims of inappropriate behaviour |url=https://news.sky.com/story/red-arrows-commanding-officer-suspended-as-raf-investigates-claims-of-inappropriate-behaviour-12752790 |date=22 November 2022 |access-date=22 November 2022 |work=Sky News |language=en}}</ref> The whole team were required to attend courses on "unacceptable behaviour" and "active bystander" training after one former female member claimed that newly arrived females on the team were seen as "fresh meat", and would be inundated with unwanted [[WhatsApp]] messages.<ref name=telegraph-20220826>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2022/08/26/red-arrows-given-consent-training-sex-assault-misogyny-allegations/ |title=Red Arrows given consent training after sex assault and misogyny allegations, report claims |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |issue=52,031 |date=26 August 2022 |page=10|url-access=subscription |access-date=28 December 2023}}</ref>

A further formal investigation into the command, leadership, and management of the squadron was conducted in 2023, and redacted versions of both reports were published on 1 November 2023. Chief of the Air Staff [[Rich Knighton|Sir Richard Knighton]] apologised and stated "I was appalled when I read the investigations' findings" and that few serving at that time were still in the squadron and he had confidence in the current command.<ref name=raf-20231101>{{cite web |url=https://www.raf.mod.uk/news/articles/statement-from-the-chief-of-the-air-staff-about-the-royal-air-force-aerobatic-team/ |title=Statement from the Chief of the Air Staff about the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team |last=Knighton |first=Rich |publisher=Royal Air Force |date=1 November 2023 |access-date=29 December 2023}}</ref><ref name=raf-202310>{{cite web |url=https://www.raf.mod.uk/documents/pdf/rafat-nsi-report/ |title=Non-Statutory Inquiry – RAFAT and RAF Scampton – Final Report (redacted) |publisher=Royal Air Force |date=October 2023 |access-date=29 December 2023}}</ref><ref name=bbc-20231101>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-67287479 |title=Red Arrows: Predatory behaviour widespread and normalised - RAF |last1=Beale |first1=Jonathan |last2=Crew |first2=Jemma |work=BBC News |date=1 November 2023 |access-date=29 December 2023}}</ref> Four of the victims who made formal complaints subsequently criticised the inquiry in a ''[[Sky News]]'' documentary, and stated that the RAF had falsely told a parliamentary committee that the sexism allegations did not meet a criminal threshold.<ref name=sky-20231228>{{cite news |url=https://news.sky.com/video/untouchable-inside-the-red-arrows-13037793 |title=Untouchable: Inside the Red Arrows |work=Sky News |date=28 December 2023 |access-date=29 December 2023}}</ref><ref name=telegraph-20231227>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/12/27/raf-told-mps-red-arrow-sexism-allegations-not-criminal/ |title=RAF falsely told MPs that Red Arrow sexism allegations not criminal, whistleblowers claim |last=Clarence-Smith |first=Louisa |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |url-access=subscription |date=27 December 2023 |access-date=29 December 2023}}</ref>