Flight of a lifetime
THOUSANDS GATHER TO CHEER ON RAF AS HISTORIC FLY-PAST MARKS 100TH ANNIVERSARY
ONE hundred days after the RAF’s official 100th birthday on 1 April, the RAF marked its centenary last week in a day of national celebrations.
The celebrations culminated in a sensational flypast of 100 aircraft, including 22 Typhoon jets in an iconic ‘100’ formation.
Over 1,000 RAF servicemen and women performed a ceremonial parade on The Mall in central London, along with almost 300 personnel lining the route, including people from a variety of roles and RAF stations, representing the full diversity of the current Air Force.
Her Majesty the Queen honoured the RAF with the presentation of a new Queen’s Colour at a ceremony on the forecourt of Buckingham Palace.
At 1pm members of the Royal Family, invited guests and members of the public witnessed a flypast of 100 aircraft over Buckingham Palace, representing the RAF’s history, its continued operational role in securing the UK’s skies, and the future of air power. The flypast featured the latest aircraft to enter service, the Lightning II, as well as 22 Typhoon jets in a ‘100’ formation and concluded with a display by the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team - the Red Arrows.
Earlier, a service at Westminster Abbey had paid tribute to the dedication and commitment shown by servicemen and women over the last 100 years and honoured those who gave their lives.
RAF service personnel, veterans, and their families were joined by members of the Royal Family including Her Majesty the Queen, The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and The Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
At this pivotal point in the RAF’s history, Tuesday’s events celebrated the service of its current personnel and looked ahead to launch the RAF into its next 100 years.
Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier said: “Our founders one hundred years ago would be astounded by our air and space capabilities today, and what we have achieved throughout our history. But they would also be reassured that the identity, ethos and self-belief that they breathed into the Royal Air Force at our birth remains as fresh and powerful today as then.”
“In this unique year, we reach out to every corner of our nation and every part of our society. We commemorate the achievements, courage and sacrifice of the Royal Air Force throughout its first century. We celebrate the successes of our outstanding men and women today – a Royal Air Force as busy now as at any point since the end of World War 2. And, most importantly, we aim to inspire – to enthuse and develop the next generation, encouraging them to challenge themselves, aim high and exceed their ambitions.”